2018 POLISH FEST

The annual celebration of Polish heritage

The 37th edition of the Polish Fest took place this year on June 15, 16 and 17. Hosted again on the Summerfest grounds near Milwaukee’s lakefront, the largest Polish Festival on the American soil featured Polish folk dances, lively music, displays of Polish arts and crafts, traditional Polish foods, cooking demonstrations, fireworks, a colorful selection of Polish-themed souvenirs and a variety of educational programs. Some of the young attendees had also a chance to channel their competitive streak during the Polish Fest Pageants and the Chopin Youth Piano Competition.

In contrast to the 2017 Polish Fest accenting the Tadeusz Kościuszko bicentennial, the focus of educational events this year was the 100th anniversary of Poland’s Independence. At the Speakers Forum, Donald Pienkos (professor emeritus of political science, UW-Milwaukee) and Neal Pease (professor of history, UW-Milwaukee) gave several passionate presentations recounting the main facets and protagonists of the events leading to the rebirth of Polish state in 1918.

Another highlight of the Poland’s centennial theme was the Women of Independence exhibit illuminating the frequently overlooked fact that just two weeks after the declaration of Independence, Polish women gained full voting rights (read more about this event in our January 2018 post describing all the people, organization and events celebrated in Poland in 2018). The exhibit was prepared by the Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and displayed on the fest grounds courtesy of Polanki, The Polish Women’s Cultural Club from Milwaukee.

Other presenters in the Speakers Forum included Helena Pycior (professor of history, emerita, UW-Milwaukee) discussing the milestone years of Marie Skłodowska-Curie, historian John Gurda highlighting the role of Polish workers in the Eight-Hour Movement of 1886, and columnist Steven Szabados offering information useful in genealogical research. And all those interested in finding their ancestors could examine their options and even get some immediate help from the Polish Genealogical Society of America and Milwaukee County Genealogical Society. The booths of these two groups were located in the “Polish Organizations” tent, where visitors could also learn about activities of many other associations serving the needs of Polish communities the Milwaukee area.

There were also some opportunities to learn some basics of Polish language and enjoy videos and colorful drawings showing the beauty of Poland – all courtesy of staff and students of the Catholic School of Jan Paul II.

Saturday was a special day for Polish folk dance enthusiasts with non-stop performances on the largest stage of the event. In costumes displaying a kaleidoscopic reaches of colors, the lineup of dance groups included ensembles from Illinois (Wesoly Lud, Whispers and Wici), Michigan (Wawel Polish Dancers), Canada (Polonez Polish Canadian Folk Ensemble ) and Milwaukee’s own Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble. [A group of musically gifted dancers of Syrena group performed also folk music on the festival walkways.] The warmest applause, however, went to the young dancers of Polish Highlander Ensemble “Tatry” (see the video box to the left) arriving straight from the Podhale region in Poland. As usual, the spectacular folk dance marathon ended with the dazzling Polish Folk Dance Gala hosted by PFDAA (Polish Folk Dance Association of the Americas).

On Sunday morning, the huge dancers’ venue became a gathering place for the catholic faithful. This year’s mass was celebrated by Father Aron Laskiewicz and the chosen charity was the St. Ann Rest Home, a non-profit nursing home operated by Dominican Sisters.