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September 5, 2005 |
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Dear Readers,
Welcome back to the
2005-2006 school year! A new school year often brings a sense of excitement
and anticipation. I strongly encourage all the parents to be engaged member
of the school community because you are the primary educators of your
children. It is for this reason that you need to ensure that the lines of
communication between the school that your child attends and your home are
strong. Be involved and volunteer to help in the schools, or dance groups
that your child attends. We wish you all a successful and challenging school
year.
It is hard to believe that
this summer is almost over. As many of you know from my last article, my
husband and I took few weeks off to join PRCUA dance groups at this year’s
International Festival of Polish Folk Dance Ensembles in Rzeszow, Poland and
in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Dance festivals have had a
difficult few years. Some have disappeared, others have downsized and all
have felt the heat from rock festival’s expending dance arenas. But the
International Polish Folk Dance Festival held every three years in Rzeszow,
Poland has been getting bigger. With considerable experience in organizing
the festival since 1969, today the peaceful and traditionally hospitable
city of Rzeszow has earned its place on the map of world International Dance
Festivals. It receives much attention from traditional folk dance lovers,
and deservedly so. The love of the people from that region for traditional
dance, embraced the Festival throughout the years. This most famous festival
in Poland is under the patronage of “Wspolnota Polska”. Its aim is engage
young people of Polish descent (POLONIA) to care and preserve the old
traditions and culture, specifically dancing and singing and to prevent them
from falling into forgetfulness. It encourages our youth of Polish descent
to relive and learn Polish customs through beautiful Polish traditional
songs and dances by participating in dance groups in their home country, far
away from Poland. This year, among many entries from all over the world,
only 40 of the best dance groups were chosen to participate in this
Festival. The PRCUA is proud to announce that among those chosen were two of
the PRCUA adult dance groups – “Wesoly Lud” choreographed by talented Misia
and Richard Jaminski from Chicago, IL., and “Echo’s of Poland” choreographed
by talented Paulina Ortyl from Toledo, Ohio. This Festival has very unique
atmosphere, it attracts many thousands of visitors from all over the Poland
and of course, from the rest of the world, which proves that even in this
day and age, an event that honors age-old traditions can attract crowds. The
host city of Rzeszow and its surrounding towns receive many benefits from
hosting this event. Just before and after the Festival, Rzeszow and
surrounding towns receives much publicity in many newspapers, magazines, on
the radio and on TV all across Poland. Foreign visitors associated with the
dance groups that come to the Festival rarely have enough time to really
enjoy the surroundings because of the hectic schedule, but this exposure to
Rzeszow makes them want to return when they can just be relaxed “tourists”.
For my husband and I, it was our first visit to that part of Poland. It is
very beautiful and picturesque area, clean, and you can smell the fresh air.
The traditional opening of
the Festival started with a Mass, which was held in the modern and beautiful
Rzeszow Cathedral. The Mass was celebrated by Most Rev. Bishop Kazimierz
Gorny. All the dance groups in different Polish colorful costumes
participated in the Mass with many dignitaries, leaders from different
organizations from Poland as well as from other countries. During the
Homily, Bishop Gorny welcomed the dancers of Polish descent from all over
the world. He told us how proud and emotionally overwhelmed he is to see so
many young people dressed in the traditional Polish costumes, who are
willing not only to dance dances and sing songs from the past, but who are
also retaining their Catholics faith. He reminded us that we should never
forget our roots and be always proud of our Polish heritage. After the Mass,
some of the organizers of the Festival together with some of the dignitaries
visited the local cemetery to lay the wreath of flowers on the graves of the
past Festival organizers. It was an emotional moment. That same day, in the
late afternoon, the streets of Rzeszow were filled with thousands of people
as over 1,400 dancers, ranging from age 16 to 70, and representing almost
every continent, in traditional Polish costumes proudly marched, danced, and
sang their way through the streets of Rzeszow in colorful parade that ended
at Rzeszow’s outdoor arena. With much fanfare, the official opening of this
very colorful spectacle of dance and song, now in its in 36 year, the 13th
International Polish Folklore Festival was open. After the introduction of
all the dance groups, few short speeches and a presentation of the “Keys” to
the city of Rzeszow, the Festival was underway. The colorful display of
songs, dances and traditional folk dress, virtually from every region of
Poland and extensive repertoire, the 40 dance group ensembles entertained
the crowds to the late hours of the evening. What we had seen was just a
taste of what was yet to come in the days ahead. Each day was filled with
practice, workshops, and later in the day with concert performances
throughout the region in the different cities in the vicinity of Rzeszow.
There was something for our dancers to do and enjoy from early morning hours
until late at night. The dance groups also had an opportunity to see
different small towns, meet with the people of many different backgrounds
and traditions. We also had an opportunity to sample the traditional ways
activities such as bread making, woodworking, sampling the home made cheeses
and for us adults some home made brandy, traditional cooking, horse drawn
open wagons and much more. Many of the dancers were in Poland for the first
time. Many of them did not speak the language, but with the song and dance
and big smiles they made friends throughout different towns and villages in
Poland and were always received with great enthusiasm.
The highlights of the
Festival were two concerts which were held in Rzeszow indoor sporting arena.
The first concert performance was dances from the dance group’s countries of
origin. All the groups put on very good and beautiful show. PRCUA dance
groups were fantastic. The dance group “Echo’s of Poland” “Swing Danced”,
ladies in colorful dresses and men’s in colorful shirts boogied did the
jitterbug and were able to mix different steps perfectly to very fast music.
During their performance the audience were clapping and stomping their feet
to the rhythm of the music! They danced with high energy and creative
choreography. Way to go “Echo’s”, you were FANTASTIC! The dance group
“Wesoly Lud” presented the “Chicago Szalona Polka”! They were AWESOME- that
is the only word I can think of to describe its performance. We could not
take our eyes from the stage. These young, energetic dancers were sooooo
goooood! The dancers were rocking with so much energy and different moves
that is no wonder that their performance brought the audience to their feet!
PRCUA dance groups – CONGRATULATIONS – you deserved all the attention, you
were the ones doing the great stuff! The climax of the festival was a Gala
performance that took place on the last day of the festival. When the Gala
concert began, nearly every seat in the huge hall was occupied. The air was
hot; the air-conditioning was not working properly, but this inconvenience
did not stop the dancers from going on stage and giving a very impressive
performance which was televised throughout Poland. Each dance group was
constantly striving to provide the very best in entertainment in an exciting
and artistic manner. The performances were rich in repertoire and elegantly
portrayed the different regions of Poland. Some of the dances performed were
very vibrant that could get you on your feet while the emotional slow dances
took your breath away. Watching over a thousand dancers all at once on stage
and the arena floor, all in traditional, bright, colorful and very beautiful
Polish costumes, along with the audience rousing ovations made this festival
a uniquely wonderful experience. At the end all the dancers, choreographers,
dignitaries and the gathered on the stage and around the stage, the festival
director, Mariusz Grudzien, thank everyone for participating and taking part
in this festival. He reminded the dancers that they are always welcome in
the Mother’s Country – Poland and never, never forget who we are. Poland
will be awaiting them with open arms when all the invited groups come back
again in 2008! As the lights dimmed, all of us gathered joined by the hands
sang together the last song, there was not a dry eye in the arena. Through
tear brimmed eyes, these new friends bid goodbye to the universal love of
dance and song, presented a beautiful sight at this festival. All the
participants once again proved that despite the short time, despite all the
differences, competitiveness did not separated us, but made us richer in
appreciating one’s another work and our roots and made us more aware of who
we are and what we strive for. After the Gala performances, all the dancers
returned to the “festival city”, otherwise known as university dorms and
they transformed the “festival city” into one great party. Everyone was
enthusiastically dancing and making music and saying goodbyes. Most of the
dancers from “Echo’s from Poland” departed the very next day for the United
States, but the dancers from “Wesoly Lud” packed their bags and early next
morning departed on a long journey to Vilnius, Lithuania. It was a long,
bumpy 15 hours bus drive. ”Wesoly Lud” dance ensemble was delighted to be
one of only ten dance ensembles from all over the world to be invited to
take part in this special festival concert in Vilnius. Folklore festivals in
Lithuania have long standing tradition of attracting thousands to the
performances. The dance groups were received very warmly at the Festival,
which was held in an ice arena. Unfortunately, the air conditioning was not
working properly. The temperatures outdoors were over 100F and inside was
not much cooler. Over 6,000 people attended the concert and enthusiastically
giving our dance groups much deserved standing ovations. We were all
impressed by the dancers who in this heat, still performed with such energy,
presence and technical versatility that they gave very beautiful
presentations of Polish dances and songs. This rich performance proved once
again how much we are enriched by maintaining our love for our Polish roots,
no matter what continent we live on.
During our short stay in
Vilnius we had an opportunity to do panoramic sightseeing of this over 600
years old capital of Lithuania. Vilnius is known for its more than 1200
medieval buildings, around 48 churches. During our short walking tour of the
city we were able to see Old Town, Vilnius Cathedral, St. Peter and Paul’s
Church, the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, Town Hall Square and
Vilnius University (founded in 1579). We also had an opportunity to see the
Gates of Dawn with a holy image of the miraculous Virgin Mary icon (Matka
Boska Ostrobramska) and historical Polish cemetery “Rossa”. Our tour took us
to town of Trakai, about 15 miles from Vilnius, former capital of the Grand
Duchy of Lithuania. There we visited Trakai castle of the 14th century,
erected on small island in Lake Galve. This castle for ages served as a
defensive structure and residence of Lithuanian Grand Dukes. In such a short
stay, we could not see everything; many of us are planning that in next few
years we will once again visit Lithuania and with leisure see its beauty.
I wish to express my
sincere appreciation to all the dance groups from all over the world,
especially to the PRCUA groups, their talented choreographers and PRCUA
members who danced with different dance groups who also participated in the
Festival, for the fantastic performances. It was such a pleasure to meet
with you, get your input and share your joys. You all were wonderful!
Special thank you, to “Echo’s of Poland”, “Wesoly Lud” and other PRCUA
members at the Festivals for being so kind to my husband and me. Thank you
for spreading the good word about our organization. I was so touched when
PRCUA dance groups, over and over, publicly praised our organization and
extended a heart-felt thanks to the PRCUA who helped in making this
unforgettable trip to this wonderful festival a reality. I am proud that
PRCUA has such dance ensembles of world class caliber representing our
organization. Their outstanding performances are tribute to the PRCUA. I
would like to thank the press – radio and television station in Rzeszow and
Vilnius for conducting the interviews with our dance groups and
choreographers, my husband and I and letting us talk about our dance groups,
our organization and for giving such extensive coverage to the Festival. I
should not forget Richard Jaminski – “Wesoly Lud” talented choreographer,
who daily participated in the Rzeszow radio program and his very kind words
about our organization. Thank you to Janet Gawle-Gnida, member of “Echo’s of
Poland, who made those special calls from Rzeszow to Toledo, Ohio radio
program with the updates and news from the Festival. Special thank you also
goes to the Chicago TV station POLVISION for their coverage of “Wesoly Lud’s”
departure to Poland. Our dance groups brought much attention and good
publicity for the PRCUA locally and abroad. The International Festival of
Polish Folk Dancing could not run so smoothly without the organization
“Wspolnota Polska”, its officers, workers and volunteers and the festival
Director – Mariusz Grudzien - our sincere Thank You for a job well done.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Lets all sing Happy
Birthday and Sto Lat to these PRCUA employees with birthdays in September:
Mary Jane Robles – my efficient secretary, to our PRCUA President – Wallace
Ozog, to Philadelphia office employee -Elaine Burkhard, to our Polish Museum
employee and guide- Richard Kujawa. Also, Happy Birthday to Bernice
Adamkiewicz, Ralph Raczynski, Jacek Chaba – youth ministry coordinator
Vicariate IV – Chicago archdiocese, Happy First Birthday to Thomas
Robaczewski, grandson of PRCUA employee, Alice Robaczewski, and Misia
Jaminski – Wesoly Lud dance group director, PRCUA National Chaplain, Rev.
Walter Ptak, past Resident Vice-President, Regina Ocwieja, past District #8
National Director, Clara Winiecki and Jolanta Tatara school director of John
Paul II Polish Language School in Lemont, Illinois. Happy Names Day to my
Mother-in Law – Rena Sokolowski. We wish you all many happy and healthy
years to come!
CONGRATULATIONS
Happy Wedding Anniversary
to Anetka (Bleka) and Daniel Waligora and to Diane (Muszalski) and Brian
Little.
Happy 36th Wedding
Anniversary to Elaine and Ronald Burkhardt and Happy 57th
Wedding Anniversary to Ralph and Irene Raczynski, belated First Wedding
Anniversary to Alicia (Sokolowski) and Chris Marron, Basia (Sokolowski) and
Sean Ackerman and to all the loving couples who are celebrating Wedding
Anniversaries - congratulations! Hope that your life is especially sweet for
each of you and may your hearts always be filled with joy, happiness and
love!!!
Best wishes to our
son-in-law, Chris Marron, who as of September is being deployed to Iraq. We
want to let you know how proud we are of you as you go forth in service to
our country. You are in our thoughts and prayers today and every day. We
pray for your safe and speedy return.
Until next time, take care
and keep in touch. Write to vicepresident@prcua.org or call 1-800-772-8632
and share your news with us. Hope to hear from you soon!
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