Substance use problems in a multicultural Scotland
- Zosia Wierbowicz presentation 26 July 2007
KLEMENTYNA SOBIESKA
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KLEMENTYNA SOBIESKA
Maria Clementina Sobieska (in Polish: Maria
Klementyna Sobieska) (1702-1735) was a Polish
princess who was born on July 18, 1702 in Poland,
the daughter of Poland's Crown Prince James
Louis Henry Sobieski, (1667-1737), and Hedwig
Elisabeth Amelia de Baviere Pfalz-Neuburg, (16731722).
Maria Clementina and James Stuart were formally
married on September 3, 1719 at Montefiascone,
Italy in the Cathedral of Santa Margherita.
Following their marriage, James and Maria
Clementina were invited to reside in Rome at the
special request of Pope Clement XI, who
acknowledged them as the (Catholic) King and
Queen of Britain.
KLEMENTYNA SOBIESKA
The Pope provided them with a papal guard of
troops, gave them the Palazzo Muti in the
Piazza dei Santi Apostoli in Rome to live in,
plus a country villa at Albano. The Catholic
Church also provided them with an annual
allowance of 12,000 crowns out of the papal
treasury.
Maria Clementina and James Stuart had two
sons:
Charles Edward Louis Philip Casimir Stuart
(1720-1788), aka "Bonnie Prince Charlie"
Henry Benedict Stuart (1725-1807)
KLEMENTYNA’S SON
Charles Edward Stuart (1720 - 88) «Bonnie Prince
Charlie», The Young Pretender, was born and
educated in Rome.
With French support he made his first expedition to
Scotland in 1745. Joined by MacDonald clansmen,
he took Edinburgh and defeated government forces
at the battle of Prestonpans in September.
Within weeks, The Bonnie Prince started his
invasion of England. But defeat was inevitable and
by April 1746 he had become a hunted man with a
price of £ 30'000 on his head. He fled to France.
The prince had to leave France in 1748 and for ten
years he wandered around Europe in various
disguises.
In 1766 he married Princess Louise de Stolberg in
Rome but the marriage was dissolved in 1772.
«Bonnie Prince Charlie» died in Rome in 1788.
MIKOŁAJ KOPERNIK
FAMOUS POLES
Nicolaus Copernicus
MIKOŁAJ KOPERNIK
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His hometown was Toruń,.BornFebruary 19, 1473,
Toruń (Thorn), Royal Prussia, Poland.DiedMay 24,
1543,
Frombork (Frauenburg), Warmia, PolandMathematician, astronomer, jurist, physician,
classical scholar, Catholic cleric, governor,
administrator, military commander, diplomat,
economist.Alma materKraków University, Bologna
University, Padua University, Ferrara
University.Known forfirst modern formulation of a
heliocentric theory of the solar system –that is that
the earth rotates around the sun .ReligionRoman
Catholic.
FREDERIC CHOPIN
FREDERYK SZOPEN
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Frédéric Chopin FREDERYK SZOPEN
The only known photograph of Frédéric Chopin, believed to
have been taken by Louis-Auguste Bisson in 1849. (It is
commonly mistaken for a daguerreotype.)
Frédéric Chopin (Polish: Fryderyk Franciszek Szopen;
French: Frédéric François Polish piano composer of the
Romantic period. He is widely regarded as one of the most
famous, influential, and prolific composers for piano of all
time.
Chopin was born in the village of Żelazowa Wola, Duchy of
Warsaw, to a Polish mother and French-expatriate father.
Hailed in his homeland as a child prodigy, at age twenty
Chopin left for Paris. There he made a career as performer,
teacher and composer, and adopted the French version of his
given names, "Frédéric-François." From 1837 to 1847 he had
a turbulent relationship with the French writer George Sand
(Aurore Dudevant). Always in frail health, at 39 he succumbed
to pulmonary tuberculosis
FREDERYK SZOPEN
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All of Chopin's extant work includes the piano in some
role (predominantly as a solo instrument), and his
compositions are widely considered to be among the
pinnacles of the piano's repertoire. Although his music is
among the most technically demanding for the
instrument, Chopin's style emphasizes nuance and
expressive depth rather than mere technical display. He
invented some musical forms, such as the ballade,[3] but
his most significant innovations were within existing
structures such as the piano sonata, waltz, nocturne,
étude, and prelude. His works are often cited as being
among the mainstays of Romanticism in 19th-century
classical music. Additionally, Chopin was the first
western classical composer to imbue Slavic elements
into his music; to this day his mazurkas and polonaises
are the cornerstone of Polish nationalistic classical
music.
ADAM MICKIEWICZ
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Adam Bernard
Mickiewicz December
24, 1798 – November 26,
1855) is one of the bestknown Polish poets and
writers, considered the
greatest Polish Romantic
poet of the 19th century,
alongside Zygmunt
Krasiński and Juliusz
Słowacki (the Three
Bards).
MARIE CURIE-SKŁODOWSKA
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Born November 7, 1867
Warsaw, PolandDiedJuly 4,
1934
(aged 66)eNationalityPolish,
French FieldPhysics and
Chemistry- Sorbonne
Known for discovery of
Radium and Radioactivity
Nobel Prize for Physics
(1903)
Nobel Prize for Chemistry
(1911)The only person to
win two Nobel Prizes in
different science fields.
Married Pierre Curie (1895);
their children were Irène
Joliot-Curie and Ève Curie.
ANDRZEJ WAJDA
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One of Poland’s most
prominent film
directors –well known
for his graphic
portraits of Pokand’s
struggles against
oppression
His many films
include “Kanal”,”
Ashes and
Diamonds”,
“Generations
ROMAN POLAŃSKI
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One of the great
modern film directors
Well known for fils
such as Rosemary’s
Baby “ , “The
Vampires “ and more
recently “The Pianist”
Provocative and
passionate , now lives
in France.
The WACHOWSKIS
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Lawrence and
Andrew Wachowski –
born in Chicago, US,
of Polish descent
have directed such
films as
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The Matrix trilogy
V for Vendetta
Assassins
EXPLORER
Marek Kaminski (born
1964) - traveller, in 1995
he was the first person to
reach both poles: the
North Pole on 23rd May
1995 and the South Pole
on 27 Dec. 1995. Earlier,
preparing for this feat he
walked to Spitsbergen
(400 km) and
Greenland’s glaciers (600
km).
SPORTSMAN
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Robert Korzeniowski
(born 1968) - athlete.
Twice Olympic 50 km
walking champion, in
1996 and 2000, and 20
km champion in 2000.
Twice world 50 km
walking champion
(1997, 2001). A Council
of Europe ambassador
for tolerance and fair
play.
LECH WAŁĘSA
Born on September 29, 1943
in Popowo, Poland) is a
Polish politician, a former
trade union and human
rights activist, and also a
former electrician. He cofounded Solidarity
Solidarnosć the Soviet
bloc's first independent
trade union, won the Nobel
Peace Prize in 1983, and
served as President of
Poland from 1990 to 1995
(succeeded by Aleksander
POPE JOHN PAUL 2
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Birth name Karol
Józef Wojtyła
Papacy began
October 161978
Papacy ended April
2, 2005
Born May 18, 1920)
Wadowice, Served as
a Priest in Kraków
during the war
Apostolic Palace,
Vatican City
BEAUTIFUL POLAND
A beautiful country with mountains, rivers,
lakes and forests and miles of rich
pastureland
POLISH
SCOTTISH
WHY DO SO MANY POLES
COME TO THIS COUNTRY ?
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Poland was once a very wealthy country . She has huge
natural mineral deposits . Vast quantities of salt deposits,
and lead crystal. There once were gold and still are silver
mines.Amber is found near the Baltic Sea in large
quantities
There are also huge coal deposits , and acres of forests.
Now, Poland ravaged and systematically destrpyed by
two World wars, through the efforts of Russia, Nazi
Germany, Stalin and the enforcement of communism she
isa poor and relatively undeveloped nation.
It is diffucult to earn a viable wage there, even now.
Communism has left a tide of corruption and greed in its
wake, while keeping all cultural developments and
advances within the boundaries of the old USSR
Perhaps that is why so many Poles are nature-lovers –
that was always free!That is also why they come here .
Why do Poles come to Scotland ?
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Why are so many Poles coming to Inverness ? And
to Scotland ?
Because the Scottish Executive is still advertising on
a huge scale throughout Poland and encouraging
Poles to make a better life for themselves here .
Polish logic says “If the Government of Scotland is
offering this , then why not grasp the opportunity
with both hands ? “
Photos of Inverness-shire attract many as the
scenery is similar to that of Poland , and the people
are welcoming.
Inverness is reputedly the fastest –growing city in
Europe – thus there must be jobs and
accommodation .
Although we don’t have accurate figures , it is
accepted that there are in the region of 9,000 Poles
in Inverness alone at the moment , The number
increases by about 1-200 every month.
PROBLEMS FACING IMMIGRANT
POLES
The main problems facing the Poles on
arrival here can be divided into 4 main
areas.:
 Lack of sufficient language skills to make
themselves clearly understood
 Lack of accommodation
 Lack of suitable employment
 Cultural differences
EDUCATION
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There are a great many children in both Primary and Secondary
schools in Inverness for whom English is not their native language.
These children are having considerable difficulty in grasping
curricular subject matter , when they do not understand the
language . This is especially true of senior pupils who are struggling
to take Highers and those sitting Standard Grades. Polish pupils are
keen to learn
English is taught in Polish schools but with methods which are
outdated. The standard achieved by many adults after 6 years of
English in Poland , leaves them able to understand some written
English, but unable to make themselves understood when spoken.
English classes are held all over Inverness. Some are run by the
college and over-subscribed, as are those in the Spectrum Centre.
Others are run by well-meaning Church-based groups , not always
led by a teacher. The standards vary enormously , leaving many
Poles dissatisfied as they feel the classes do not match either their
abilities or their needs.
I have made repeated requests to Highland Council to monitor the
classes on offer and co-ordinate the provision of English language.
Certificate courses can be offered to the more able Poles. while noncertificate “Everyday English” made available for others.
HEALTH AND WELFARE
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Many Poles (probably about 2500) are not registered
with a doctor as they are too embarrassed to discuss
their illnesses and problems through an interpreter. Many
self-medicate , because of lack of language and
communication barriers , and they feel that they (Poles )
are treated with derision as second-class citizens, and
members of our Association consist of a consultant
gynaecologist, a consultant psychiatrist, two senior
doctors, an intensive –care nurse working as a cleaner,
fitness trainers working as fish-processors,.
An Accountant who is “too-highly –qualified” to be
employed in Accountancy , and works in a restaurant. An
Editor of a Polish newspaper (working towards her PhD)
who works in a shop and as a cleaner. Skilled and
qualified joiners ; engineers who work as gardeners or
fish-processors., plumbers and builders who owned their
businesses in Poland who work as kitchen porters or
cleaners in supermarkets.
Housing and Employment
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A number of recruitment agencies send buses into
outlying towns and villages in Poland and on payment of
£300-£600 the people , mostly unskilled workers , come
over here and work in the various factories. The payment
is to “give them a job”. Every 2/3 weeks buses come
over bringing 100-200 people from Poland to Inverness.
The working conditions are often difficult and
unsatisfactory and the Poles fearful to complain , as
they fear dismissal. Certain less scrupulous employers
present difficulties in Home Office Registration , paying
the minimum wage , claiming wages due to the workers
have to be reduced to pay for accommodation. The
employment contracts , if they exist, specify otherwise.
Common practice appears to be the retention of
passports “for a while” of newly-arrived Poles. One of
the major problems in factory employment are that
workers can be laid off with very little notice. Frequently
this means they lose their accommodation as well and
this creates a new set of problems.
ACCOMMODATION
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Finding accommodation of any sort is extremely difficult for a Pole
who has a limited command of the language. Quite a large number
of the Poles come hoping that at least the Council will direct them to
accommodation. This again arises from the Executive’s campaign.
We get countless pleas for somewhere to stay even for a few
weeks, till they settle down and can find somewhere for themselves.
Many Poles become victims of unscrupulous landlords who charge
high rents for accommodation.
eg 1 £340 per month (excluding Council tax, gas, electricity , water )
for one room , kitchen and bathroom –for a couple with two babies.
eg 2 A hostel in the town centre charges £65 per week , but there
are three others already in the same room,
with one bathroom and one kitchen shared between 20-30 people.
eg 3 One landlord charges £35 per week for “floor space “ –ie you
sleep on the floor
eg 4 £600 per month for a holiday chalet (excluding Council tax,
gas, electricity, water) for three rooms shared between 5 people and
a baby.
DIFFICULTIES
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Discrimination is becoming common, where landlords will not rent to
Poles as they fear that there may be further sub letting . This
behaviour affects the Poles who are genuinely seeking decent
accommodation.
A number that I know personally have submitted housing
applications have been waiting for accommodation for a long time
despite difficult overcrowded conditions and with no hope of a place,
because of the already –difficult housing situation in Inverness ,
which existed before they came here.
A large proportion of newly-arrived Poles have problems obtaining
their Home Office registration and due to the internal reorganisation
of Job Centre plus, similar difficulties in obtaining National Insurance
numbers. As a result they become “illegal workers” and not eligible
for Child Benefit for their children here.
Some employers are slow to go through the process of organising
HO registration, particularly if the workers are likely to be dissatisfied
with the employers’ working conditions and thus likely to leave.
POLAND TODAY
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For many Poles in Poland the options are very limited;.
the unemployment in Poland is still at 30% . No matter
how well qualified a person is the salaries remain low,
and luxuries are virtually unobtainable for an average
employee. The average minimum wage (based on
calculations in 2003 ) in Poland is 37.4 % lower than
here –i.e. at 201 euros per month.
Despite what rumours may say , the Poles are not here
to seek state handouts , or to deprive others of work.
They are hard –working ambitious and independent –
minded. They simply want to work towards a better
future for themselves and their families.
No matter how well-qualified and trained you are in
Poland, the maximum amount you can earn is still too
low to enable you to buy luxuries such as your own
home, satellite TV or a combine-harvester –if you are a
farmer !
Inverness Polish Association
Office: Albyn House 37 A Union Street Inverness IV1 1QA
01463 223223
Chairman Mrs.Zosia Wierzbowicz-Fraser