![[Czaderska-Hayek Picture]](Czaderska_HY_01.JPG)
Yola Czaderska-Hayek
Autor, philantropist and Hollywood hostess in the grand dame style
by Artur Zygmont
Yola Czaderska-Hayek reminds many Polish Americans of the fabled Washington hostess PearI Mesta, of world famous Madame De Stael of Paris. Indeed, Yola is the reigning hostess in Southern California and those not invited to her fabulous parties plan and scheme to get an invitation. However, she is more than a hostess. She is an accomplished writer with two books to her credit and hundreds of published articles, and is a tireless promoter of Polish culture.
Yola's two books Moj Hollywood (My Hollywood) and Rendezvous z Hollywood are best sellers in Poland. The books are filled with information and pictures about the stars and the film industry. She provides the Polish reader a human dimension of Hollywood and reflects not only an encyclopedic knowledge of the film industry, but professional dedication to portray American society in an objective and interesting manner.
Yola is a part of that elite group of Hollywood international correspondents who reside and work in "tinsel town" and has accreditation by The Motion Picture Association of America. She regularly submits articles on Hollywood personalities and activities to a multitude of Polish publications such as Ekran, Pani, Zycie Warszawy, Kobieta i Zycie, Zycie Panorama, Poznaniak, to mention only a few. Her interview technique is an art in itself. She doesn't conduct managed interviews; they are always informal and more like conversation between two friends. She has interviewed the biggest Hollywood stars in the film capital, as well as people behind the camera and stunt men and women. Among the above are Elizabeth Taylor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Selleck, Kevin Costner, Charlton Heston, James Stewart, Mel Gibson, Kirk Douglas, Steven Spielberg, Michael J. Fox, Sir Lawrence Olivier, Joan Collins, Michael Douglas. During President Lech Walesa's visit to the United States in 1991, Yola managed to interview not only Walesa but former president Ronald Reagan, whom she later interviewed on other occasions. One year the world saw Yola on the Oscar stage as she translated for Academy Awards winner Polish director Zbigniew Rybczynski.
In her role as a reigning hostess, Yola Czaderska-Hayek stages two types of events or parties. One is in connection with film and the Hollywood colony. The other is a promotion of Polish Culture. She finances both entirely herself. In the former category are "High Noon" parties which honor primarily actors and actresses who have made significant contributions to Western movies, the cowboy genre, as well as pre-OSCAR banquets for both American and Polish artists nominated for a Golden Statuette. In 1994 she hosted a glamorous banquet for Oscar nominees from Poland, so instrumental in the film Schindler's List, including Janusz Kaminski (cinematography), Allan Starski (art direction), Ewa Braun (set decoration) Anna Biedrzycka-Sheppart (costume design) plus 3 American nominees and Polish coproducer Lew Rywin. These nominees shared five Oscars.
Other parties pertain to Polish events, but with many famous film U.S. artists in attendance, since Yola's main goal is to present Polish culture to Americans. In 16 years Yola organized about 200 functions: private movie screenings, concerts, piano & opera recitals, receptions for producers, actors, movie directors, screen writers, cinematographers, musicians, painters, graphic artists, sculptors, poets and writers, scientists, sportsmen as well as for the heroes of Monte Cassino and the Battle of Britain. Using her Hollywood connections Yola helped many Polish artists contact Americans in show business. Yola also works with the State Department Visitors Program to help Polish celebrities invited to the U.S. During the 1984 Olympiad in Los Angeles she ran one kilometer with the Olympic torch in memory of Janusz Kusocinski the 1932 Polish 10,000 km gold medalist, killed by the Nazis. For all of her philanthropic activities she received the medal Merit For Polish Culture and Bull Award from Sukces magazine.
Yola's parties and receptions are always held in her Hollywood Hills landmark "Belvedere Estate", where she lives with her husband Ed Hayek, American Airlines Captain. "Belvedere" is a story in itself. High in the hills overlooking the Los Angeles basin, this architectural jewel was built in the early 1920's for the renowned opera singer Geraldine Farrar. The next short time occupant was silent film star Rudolf Valentino. Yola named the home "Belevedere" after the historic palace in Warsaw.
Yola Czaderska-Hayek was born in Poland to a prominent noble family in Tarnow. She was always interested in film and particularly American film. Pursuing studies in literature and philosophy, she graduated from Wyzsza Szkola Pedagogiczna with a Master's Degree in Polish language and literature (Polonistyka). Still, writing about Hollywood was her dream and it was realized in a most unexpected way. It was not a Prince Charming on a white horse but a dashing American Airlines pilot of a silver airplane, whom she met in Krakow who won her heart and brought her to Hollywood to accomplish her dream.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.