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.

Short announcement:

Polish violinist, Mateusz Smoczynski, will perform in the North Street Cabaret Madison, WI on June 19th, 6:30pm (Click here for more information)
Mateusz was voted the VIOLINIST OF THE YEAR in the 2017 JAZZ Top survey by the Jazz Forum, an official journal of the European Jazz Federation

2018 POLISH FEST

Highlights of the upcoming celebration
of Polish pride, heritage and tradition

The 37th edition of Polish Fest will take place again on the Summerfest grounds near Milwaukee’s lakefront. Scheduled this year for June 15, 16 and 17, the Polish Fest program includes exuberant performances of folk dance groups, polka music played continuously on several stages, variety of traditional Polish foods as well as sampling of Polish spirits. The youngest participants might enjoy many age-appropriate performances and contests such as the Chopin Youth Piano Competition and pageants. And everybody will have a chance to pick up some Polish souvenirs and learn new skills by watching folk-artists at work and Polish cooking demonstrations. The Speakers Forum will also provide opportunities to learn more about Polish history & language and get insights useful to all curious about their ancestry (see the listing below).

While the 2017 Polish Fest featured many accents linked to the bicentennial of Tadeusz Kościuszko, some events of the 2018 Polish Fest will highlight the 100th anniversary of Poland’s Independence. Among them expect to see the exhibit of Polish architecture from years 1918-1939 – courtesy of Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division has prepared for this jubilee year the brochure Centennial of Poland’s Rebirth summarizing the key events leading to Poland regaining its sovereignty in 1918 and their prime movers. The printed copy of this leaflet will be available in the PAC-Wisconsin booth along with a variety of other printed materials promoting the knowledge about Poland and our organization. These materials will include also the newly revised brochure Do you know Poland?

Here is the lineup of main events in the Speakers Forum:

Finding Babcia’s Grandma – From Where Did Your Polish Ancestors Leave?
Steve Szabados, Genealogy Columnist for the Polish American Journal and Author
Friday June 15th, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

100 Years of US-Polish Relations, 1918-2018
Dr. Neal Pease, Professor of History (UW-Milwaukee)
Friday June 15th, 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Let’s Remember Marie Skłodowska Curie! What a Century of Anniversary Celebrations of Her Milestone Years (1867,1898,1903,1911) Tell Us
Dr. Helena Pycior, Professor of History, Emerita (UW-Milwaukee)
Saturday June 16th, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

A Look Back: The 100th Anniversary of Poland’s Rebirth and Its Significance
(panel discussion)
Dr. Donald Pienkos, Professor of Political Science, Emeritus (UW-Milwaukee)
Dr. Neal Pease, Professor of History (UW-Milwaukee)
Saturday June 16th, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Poland’s Rebirth: Three Who Made It Happen:
A Soldier, a Politician, and a Virtuous Pianist
Dr. Donald Pienkos, Professor of Political Science, Emeritus (UW-Milwaukee)
Saturday June 16th, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

The Struggle for Independence in America:
Polish Workers and the Eight-Hour Movement of 1886
John Gurda, Milwaukee-born writer and historian
Sunday June 17th, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Polish Constitution Day 

Polish Constitution of May 3rd, 1791 was the first written national constitution in Europe and the world’s second, after the Constitution of the United States.

Jan Matejko’s (1838-1893) painting shows Polish King Stanislaus Augustus, members of the Polish Parliament (Sejm) and Warsaw inhabitants entering
St. John’s Cathedral for swearing in the newly adopted constitution.

Kościuszko: A Man Ahead of His Time

In celebration of Polish Constitution Day there will be a special program
and film shown entitled “Kościuszko: A Man Ahead of His Time”
on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.
at the Polish Center of Wisconsin.

Dr. Don Pienkos will provide some brief introductory comments
on the Constitution of 1791, and after the movie screening
Dr. Neal Pease will speak about the film and answer any questions.

There will be a complimentary Wine & Cheese Reception sponsored
by the Milwaukee Society of the Polish National Alliance.

This event is free and open to the public.

Donald Pienkos
Prof. Emeritus, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Neal Pease
Professor of History, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

HOSTED IN POLISH CENTER OF WISCONSIN

► Map of Location ◄

Poland 1979-1989
Living through Poland’s Extraordinary Decade
Memories from Members of Our Community

On April 22, 2018 the Wisconsin Polish American Congress sponsored an extraordinary panel discussion that focused on the period between two electrifying events – the extraordinary first visit of the newly elected Pope, John Paul II, to his native land in June 1979 and the incredible victory of the Solidarity movement in the parliamentary election of June 4, 1989. In between came ten immensely difficult and stressful years for the courageous Polish people.

In the panel discussion at the beautiful Polish Center of Wisconsin, six residents of the Milwaukee community recounted and shared their varying experiences of that momentous time. Four – Irena Frączek, Derek Zarzeczny, Katarzyna Murawska, and Jarek Mielczarek lived through those years as citizens of Poland. Two – Poland-born Jadwiga (Heddy) Moskaluk and Milwaukee native, attorney Eugene Kaluzny were active in southeast Wisconsin working on behalf of Poland’s people. Moskaluk labored to ship parcels of food, clothing and medical supplies to families of Milwaukee Poles and Polish Americans who were enduring great hardships in Poland. Kaluzny, then president of the Wisconsin Polish American Congress, was deeply involved in sending needed goods to Poland through the auspices of the Polish American Congress Charitable Foundation and Catholic Charities.

Their comments drew many questions from the audience in the Q & A that followed.

Below are two more photos of the event, along with a most impressive slide show presentation of the Polish crisis of the time that Mr. Zarzeczny presented (to the right).

This program is just the most recent of the many the Wisconsin Division of Polish American Congress continually organizes to inform the public about Poland and its People’s experience – in cooperation with the Polish Center of Wisconsin, other Polish American organizations, and the Polish Studies Committee of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Text provided by the panel moderator, Dr. Donald Pienkos, Professor Emeritus and Chair of the Polish Studies Committee, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Photos courtesy of Diane Holytz from the Polish Center of Wisconsin.