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Published March 09, 2010 09:49

San Francisco & Krakow Celebrate First Anniversary of Sister City Relationship
In Krakow, Poland, on June 27 - July 5, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, March 5, 2010 -- Mayor Gavin Newsom joins Poland’s Honorary Consuls in San Francisco, Tad Taube and ChristopherKerosky, in announcing the first anniversary of San Francisco’s Sister City partnership with Krakow, Poland. To honor the occasion, the Mayor and City of Krakow extend an open invitation to all Bay Area travel & culture seekers to visit Krakow this summer on a special tour, June 27 – July 5, 2010, organized by Taube Philanthropies’ heritage tour program.

Beautiful Krakow, Poland’s ancient capital, is the only Polish city to survive World War II without being physically destroyed by Nazi Germany. Its renovated market squares, churches and synagogues are landmark heritage sites, and every summer especially, the city’s museums and galleries showcase an array of art exhibitions, theater and music concerts.

This summer, Krakow is host to the 20th anniversary of the world’s largest Jewish Culture Festival, which is eight days long and features a six-hour outdoor Closing Night Concert featuring the best performers of Jewish music from around the globe.

The June 27-July 5 tour offers explorations of Krakow’s rich history and cultural treasures including the Wawel Royal Castle, Jagiellonian University (established in1364), the Old Market Square and Cloth Hall.

The Mayor of Krakow will host a gala dinner in City Hall where participants can also meet representatives from the US Embassy and Polish Government. In all, an exciting and memorable program has been planned, and a five-star experience will be enjoyed by all.

"The San Francisco-Krakow relationship is helping to foster business, civic and cultural links between the two cities. I am pleased that the beautiful, innovative and destination cities of Krakow and San Francisco are now sister cities,” said Mayor Newsom. “The sister city relationship is a wonderful expression of the strong relations between our two magnificent cities. The exchange of cultures and commerce enhance our city’s commitment to diversity, while providing a unique and invaluable platform to discuss and trade best practices.”

“The business and cultural opportunities generated by both sister cities are too many to count,” said Consul Tad Taube, who immigrated to the United States from Krakow on the eve of World War II. “The economic and cultural revival that has taken place in Poland over the last 20 years is incredible, and San Francisco will now be well positioned to take full advantage of it.” A philanthropist and businessman, Taube currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he serves as chairman and founder of the Woodmont Companies and the Taube Philanthropies, and is president of the Koret Foundation.

Consul Christopher Kerosky, a San Francisco attorney of Polish ancestry, has been working with the Polish American community in California for 20 years. “I cannot think of two more beautiful cities than San Francisco and Krakow to be joined together in a sister city partnership,” said Kerosky. “Each city has much to offer the other in terms of both culture and business. I look forward to seeing the relationship continue to flourish. “

The official signing ceremony between the two cities was held held in Krakow on July 3, 2009. The ceremony was attended by Mayor Jacek Majchrowski of Krakow along with Consuls Taube and Kerosky as well as Protocol Officer Matthew Goudeau from Mayor Newsom’s office. The ceremony was open to the public and included 100 participants from the San Francisco Bay Area who had traveled to Krakow for the auspicious occasion.

For more information about the Sister City Tour of Krakow,
please call 1-800-354-8320 or visit www.polandjewishheritagetours.com

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