Watch 2 videos: Kozzie Fest 2010 & Kosciuszko Run dwie wideo-pamiątki z Festiwalu Kościuszkowskiego i pierwszego wyścigu
KOZZIE FEST 2010 & KOSCIUSZKO RUN
PART 1 (10min) ABOUT KOZZIE FEST
PART 2 (10min) ABOUT KOSCIUSZKO RUN
This year between the 19th and the 21st of March, during the Kozzie Fest, we celebrated the 170th anniversary of the discovery and naming of Mt. Kosciuszko.
The K’Ozzie Fest is an annual, vibrant celebration of the Snowy Mountains, Australia’s diverse multicultural society and the ideals of democracy and freedom.
It unites many forms of art and performance – such as music, song, dance, poetry, painting and photography – in a series of colourful events, lasting three days.
The first festival was held in 2007. This year saw even more attractions... On the second day of the festival the photographic gallery “In Mud and Blizzard: Winter Expedition Along the Strzelecki Track” was presented by Oscar Kantor. The movie “Mt Kosciuszko – Frozen Years” by the same author was also shown.
The movie is a creative mixture of times past and present, and retraces Strzelecki's steps when in March 1840, accompanied by James Macarthur, James Riley and
two aboriginal guides, he reached and named Mt Kosciuszko.Strzelecki’s part was played by Polish newcomer Jack Hubala, James Macarthur’s by Slawek Kopczynski, and James Riley’s by Lukas Karpinski.
“Kosciuszko” by Brendan Collins was also performed by the wonderful and powerful Barker College Symphony Orchestra at the beginning of the main festival’s gala.
Also there was a guest from Poland, music star Beata Wald, who won the Polish version of Australian Idol. She is currently working with Tasmanian talented songwriter Jeni Wallwork and the description of her voice is “simply outstanding.”
Beata performed during the festival, and even dedicated one song, “Dreamtime Dancing,” to the Aboriginal people. It touched the hearts of the elders and family members of the Ngarigo people. Beata is currently working on her album, which should be finished this year.
Another exciting addition to the 2010 Festival was the Kosciuszko Run, created by Strzelecki Heritage Inc. The organisation’s vision is to honour Sir Paul Edmund Strzelecki as a great explorer and highlight his enormous contribution to Australia. The Kosciuszko Run is an 11km run through Australia’s High Country aimed at promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, whilst showcasing the beauty of the mountain and teaching a new generation about the history of the highest peak in Australia and the life of Tadeusz Kosciuszko.
The competitors started from the Charlotte Pass Ski Resort Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel at 1730 metres above sea level and ran across the Kosciuszko National Park via the “Summit Walk” to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at 2228 metres.
World race-walking greats Robert Korzeniowski of Poland and Nathan Deakes of Australia enjoyed the camaraderie of the unfamiliar experience of running up Mt Kosciuszko and finished together in 6th place. Australian mountain running champion Scott McTaggart of Canberra clocked at time of 45 minutes and 33 seconds and was the winner.
