Święta Żydów Polskich – Polish Jewish Holidays

How People Lived in Old Poland

by Staś Kmieć
September issue of The Polish American Journal

   Poland, throughout most of the country’s thousand-year history has remained a vague concept geographically and ethnographically.  The history of the Jews in Poland dates back over a millennium. For centuries, Poland was home to the largest and most significant Jewish community in the world.  It was the center of Jewish culture thanks to a long period of statutory religious tolerance and social autonomy.

   From the founding of the Kingdom of Poland in 1025 through to the early years of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth created in 1569, Poland was the most tolerant country in Europe.   As a shelter for persecuted and expelled European Jewish communities and the home to the world's largest Jewish community of the time, it was known as paradisus Iudaeorum (Latin for "Paradise for the Jews").   According to some sources, about three-quarters of all Jews lived in Poland by the middle of the 16th century.

   The first Jews arrived in the territory in the 10th century by travelling along the trade routes leading eastwards to Kiev.  Jewish merchants (Radhanites) crossed the areas of the Śląsk region (Silesia). Jewish exiles arrived in the eleventh-century from Spain and Prague.  For centuries they converged on Poland from all over Europe, fleeing political or economic persecution in their home countries.  Many came, not as a result of external threats, but were drawn by the opportunities in the most tolerant country of the continent. 

   As transliterated into Hebrew, names for Poland were interpreted as "good omens: “Polin” (etymologically “po” meaning “here” and “in” meaning “peace” or “rest”); “Polania” (“po” = “here,” “lan” = "dwells,” “ya” = "God”).

   This feeling of security was derived from the strict laws of the country and the protection policies of the Polish rulers.  Polish masters needed Jewish traders and craftsmen and their knowledge of commerce.  With these privileges, they were able to develop their arts of engraving stamps and coins, and trade. 

Acts of Hebrews (Dzieje Hebrajczyków)

   The Acts of Hebrews were divided into epochs associated with history. Initially, the year commemorated important historical events of the nation of Israel (from leaving Egypt to Babylonian captivity).  Later it was established that the beginnings of history would start with the most important date – the creation of the world. According to the Hebrew priests this occurred in 3761, before our era. Thus the year 2012-2013 on the Jewish calendar year is 5773.

   The week ended with a day of rest – the Sabbath (Sabat, Szabas, or Szabat), which begins at Friday's sunset, and lasts into Saturday evening. Biblical law forbade all work, travel, and kindling of fire. It also required the kosher standard (ritual purity) of all products, dishes, tableware and cutlery.  Shabbat meals were prepared the day before.

   The observance began with prayer in the synagogue – house of prayer.  On Friday – just before dusk, men in prayer shawls (tallis) returned home – their families assembled before the Sabbath table.  Two Sabbath candles were lit in the home by the head mother figure "to light up the house" (“by dom rozświetlić”). The welcoming song, “Shalom Aleichem” was sung.  Over a chalice of wine, the prayer blessing - Kiddush was recited by the oldest man in the household; a gala supper followed.

   With the Havdalah (“separation” from Hebrew) ceremony, the Sabbath ended. Fragrant roots were burned in richly decorated silver containers. 

   Note: Polish synagogues were built of wood, in a style that was more harmony with the surrounding architecture than in Hebrew tradition.

Rosh Hashanah (Rosz Haszana)

   Most important in the holiday calendar was the cycle of high holidays – Rosh Hashanah, the New Year.  Yom Kippur, and the seven-day feast of Sukkot, were once celebrated after the harvest of crops.

   Rosh Hashanah (literally: “the head of the year”) is a holiday that has a deep sense of Jewish affairs beyond and outside Judaism – whose meaning is universal, as it concerns all of humanity. 
   Holidays, such as Pesach (Passover, Exodus), or Shavuot (receiving the Torah) refer to the most important events in Jewish history, and only Jews. Rosh Hashanah does not relate directly and specifically with the Jews. It is a festival celebrating the completion of divine creation, and specifically the sixth day on which man was created – a man who was not Jewish, but the “father” of all people.
   It is not a commemoration of the creation of the world in a physical sense - galaxies, stars, planets, oceans, animals, but the emergence of a human being. Rosh Hashanah, the first day of the month of Tishri (Tiszrej), begins the next year in the history of the world – the New Year. 
   Blowing of the shofar (ram's horn, much less from an antelope or gazelle) is the commandment of the Torah; the customary fulfillment of obligation.     

   Typical, traditional cuisine for the first evening meal on Rosh Hashanah is dishes which symbolize the hope for a successful, prosperous new year:

      ·  apples in honey – "Thy will be done to give us a good, successful year"

      ·  the head of a fish – "Thy will be done, we went to the head, and not the back"

      ·  pomegranate – "Thy will be done to ensure that our merits be as numerous as the pomegranate seeds"

   In addition:

       ·  challah bread plaited in a round shape (chałki) – symbolized a balanced, harmonious life in the new year

       ·  challah formed in the shape of birds – symbolized prayer which flies like the birds in the sky to God

       ·  challah traditionally dipped in honey

       ·  honey cake (lekach)

   In Poland, the ritual of tashlikh is performed on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Prayers are recited near natural flowing water, and one's sins are symbolically cast into the water.  The custom to throw bread or pebbles into the water, to symbolize the "casting off" of sins is also practiced. The service is recited individually and includes the prayer "Who is like unto you, O God... and You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea", and Biblical passages including Isaiah 11:9 – "They will not injure nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be as full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea,” as well as personal prayers. Though once considered a solemn individual tradition, it has become an increasingly social ceremony practiced in groups.

   “Shana Tova” is the traditional greeting on Rosh Hashanah, which in Hebrew means "A Good Year."

Yom Kippur (Jom Kipur or Sadny Dzień)

   The Day of Atonement – Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews.  Crowds collected in synagogues to pray for the dead, and in the confessional prayer called Aszamnu, would loudly profess their faults.  Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.

   Kapparot (expiations) is a ritual custom that was practiced by some Jews on the eve of Yom Kippur. In this practice, a live chicken (rooster for men, hen for women), literally becomes a religious and sacred vessel in place of man.  The chicken was swung over one's head three times, symbolically transferring one's sins to the chicken. The chicken was then slaughtered and donated to the poor for consumption, while the guts were thrown to the birds.  It alludes to the ancient rituals of sacrifice, and was based on the reconciliation of Isaiah 1:18 in the Hebrew Bible.

   This ritual appealed to Kabbalists, who recommended the selection of a white rooster as a reference to Isaiah 1:18 and who found other mystic allusions in the prescribed formulas. Consequently, the practice became generally accepted among the Jews of Eastern Europe.

   In the Middle Ages some rabbis criticized and strongly opposed this practice as a pagan custom. They considered it a non-Jewish ritual that conflicted with the spirit of Judaism, which knows of no vicarious sacrifice outside of the Temple in Jerusalem.  The chicken was replaced with a bundle of coins, which was then given as an offertory donation to charity or it was simply passed over the head of an individual.

   Erica Silverman wrote a children's book, “When the Chickens Went on Strike,” which is adapted from the short story – "Kapores" by Yiddish author Sholem Aleichem. The story takes place in a 19th century Russian village, where the residents are preparing to celebrate the Jewish holidays.

Sukkot (Kuczkami)

   Four plants were connected to the joyful holiday of Sukkot – the Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Booths: a palm branch (lulaw), lemons (etrog), three branches of myrtle and willow twigs, which once had a symbolic meaning in prayers concerning rain for the harvest.  It is a Biblical holiday which lasts seven days (eight in the diaspora) and is celebrated on the 15th day of the month.

   Huts (sukki) were built as reminiscence of the type of fragile dwellings in which the Israelites lived during their 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt.  Throughout this time the holiday meals are eaten inside these huts, and many sleep there as well.  Each day, a blessing is recited over the lulav and etrog.  The Feast of Tabernacles ends with the holy joy of the Torah.

   In Leviticus, God told Moses to command the people: "On the first day you shall take the product of hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook" (Lev. 23:40), and "You shall live in booths seven days; all citizens in Israel shall live in booths, in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt" (Lev. 23:42-43).

Simchat Torah

   Marking the conclusion of the annual cycle of Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle, Simchat Torah (also Simkhes Toreh; "rejoicing with/of the Torah,” in Hebrew) is one of the happiest days in the Jewish calendar.  Over time became an independent ceremony.  It shows the dream reading the Torah (the Pentateuch of Moses) and respect of the rights of the Bible.  After a festival parade of the Torah scrolls amidst singing and dancing, the last section of Deuteronomy and the first section of Genesis are read in succession.

   In Poland on the 23rd of Tishri, it was the custom to sell the privilege of executing various functions during the services on Shabbat and Jewish festivals to the members of the congregation.  The synagogue used this occasion as a fund-raiser. People who made these donations were called up to the Torah and given a congregational blessing.

***

   The Jewish calendar date begins at sundown of the night beforehand. Thus all observances begin at sundown on the first secular date listed, and conclude the following day at nightfall.

·        Rosh Hashanah begins in the evening of Sunday, September 16, 2012, and ends in the evening of Tuesday, September 18, 2012.

·        Yom Kippur begins in the evening of Tuesday, September 25, and ends in the evening of Wednesday, September 26.

·       Sukkot begins in the evening of Sunday, September 30, and ends in the evening of Sunday, October 7.

·       Simchat Torah begins in the evening of Monday, October 8, and ends in the evening of Tuesday, October 9.

NEW YORK, NY: Janusz Korczak Seminar

   Celebrating the 2012 International Year of Janusz Korczak, the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland will hold a day-long seminar – Janusz Korczak and Children's Rights in Contemporary Perspective on May 8, 9:30 am-5:00 pm.  The program will include: panel discussions - Part I: Janusz Korczak - a predecessor ofChildren's Human Rights; Part II: Basic education and gender equality; Part III: Child protection from violence, exploitation and abuse; a Q and A session; along with remarks by Consul General Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka and Ambassador Witold Sobków, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Poland to the UN. 

   Janusz Korczak, the pen name of Henryk Goldszmit was a Polish-Jewish educator, children's author, and pediatrician known as Pan Doktor (Mr Doctor) or Stary Doktor (the Old Doctor). After spending many years working as director of an orphanage in Warsaw, he refused freedom and stayed with his orphans when the organization was sent from the Ghetto to Treblinka extermination camp.

   The event will be held at the Consulate General of Poland – 233 Madison Avenue, New York, NY.  RSVP by May 4: newyork.rsvp@msz.gov.pl; 646-237-2112 (or 2185). 

In Recognition of Jan Karski

   The First Annual Jan Karski Celebration was held at the Consulate of Poland in New York on April 24th.  In the midst of World War II, Jan Karski worked as a courier, entering the Warsaw ghetto and the Nazi Izbica transit camp, where he saw first-hand the atrocities occurring under Nazi occupation. 

   He was dispatched by the Polish Underground to inform the West about the atrocities being committed by the Nazis in occupied Poland – including the ongoing slaughter of the entire Jewish population and to seek their intervention.  Karski traveled to London to meet with the Polish government-in-exile and with British government officials. He subsequently traveled to the United States and met with President Roosevelt.  His eyewitness account of the Holocaust was not taken seriously. 

   Karski published the book Story of a Secret State; earned a Ph.D at Georgetown University, and became a professor at Georgetown's School of Foreign Service - educating generations of students about the dangers of staying silent in the face of tyranny and danger. Born in 1914, Karski became a U.S. citizen in 1954 and died in 2000

   The program began with a film clip of President Barack Obama’s announcement at the US Memorial Holocaust Museum in Washington that the late Dr. Karski will posthumously be awarded America’s highest honor – the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Medal is the Nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

   "We must tell our children about how this evil was allowed to happen-because so many people succumbed to their darkest instincts; because so many others stood silent,” said President Obama.  “But let us also tell our children about the Righteous Among the Nations. Among them was Jan Karski-a young Polish Catholic – who witnessed Jews being put on cattle cars, who saw the killings, and who told the truth, all the way to President Roosevelt himself.”

   Remarks were made by Wanda Urbanska of West Virginia, the Campaign director of The Jan Karski Centennial Campaign – an initiative of the Polish History Museum in Warsaw.  “This highest of civilian honors in our great land validates the principles that Jan Karski stood for: tolerance and understanding among people of all faiths and the courage to speak the truth in the worst of times,” said Urbanska.

   Through a very thick Polish accent, with eyes glued to the text, Marcin Lapiński delivered an impassioned dramatic reading from Karski’s memoir Story of a Secret State.       

   During the event, Consul General Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka awarded Simon Bergson of the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation with the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland and was herself distinguished with the first ever Jan Karski Spirit Award.  Presented by David Harris, Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee, the award embodies the nature of Karski – a person with a combination of “moral, physical, intellectual and courage” traits and one who leads from the “head, heart, soul and spine.”

   It was announced that 1944 bestseller and “Book of the Month” classic - Story of a Secret State was in the process of being reprinted in a new release for a new generation. One of the initiatives of the Centennial Campaign was to have the book made as required reading in US schools. 

Easter Monday – Poniedziałek Wielkanocny

by Staś Kmieć
for the full article - Easter Traditions: The Holy Week – Wielki Tydzień check the April issue of The Polish American Journal

The second day known as Lany Poniedziałek (Wet Monday) or Śmigus-Dyngus is a favorite among younger people. Breaking from the solemnity of Lent, youths find ways to douse each other with water. Some believe this originated in pagan times, while others derive it from
the baptism of Poland in 966. Śmigus dyngus starts at the break of dawn. Traditionally, only men doused girls with water. Maidens soaked on that day would have a greater chance of getting married that year. It is essentially a marriage of two old Easter rites. "Dyng" meant redemption; "Śmigus" (a word probably of German origin) was to hit one another with green branches, and douse with water.

Various local customs became connected to Easter Monday. Just like caroling at Christmas, chodzenie po dyngusie meant traveling from house-to-house, reciting verses of the Passion, singing, and expecting a
donation.

In Kraków, Emmaus established in memory the walk of the apostles on the road to Emmaus with the risen Christ . Processions of religious brotherhoods carry a statue of the risen Christ holding a red banner. Also in the vicinity, men smeared with soot walked along country roads and city
streets hooking arms, holding, or kissing those passing by.

On Tuesday, residents meet on the right bank of the Wisła River, where the townspeople with
their own hands once heaped the grave of Krak in a custom is called Rękawka.

Siuda Baba refers to the rites of spring, and the legend of a pagan temple in Lednica near Wieliczka where a priestess, who guarded the fire in it, would go out once a year in search of successor. She is black with soot, as the year-round duty had not afforded her time to wash. This custom is now preserved with a man dressed as a disheveled woman in tattered clothes. He carries a large cross in hand, strings of beads made of chestnuts or potatoes around his
neck, and a large basket on his back wrapped in a sheet.

In Kujawy there is przywoływek dyngusowych, where at dusk on Easter Sunday or Easter Monday morning, boys affiliated with the Stowarzyszeniu Klubu Kawalerów (Bachelors’ Club) walk in procession to the village square with a large orchestra. On a platform, high tree, or the roof of the inn, they recite verses about the local girls. Praising or ridiculing them, they accept how much water will be shed to secure a meeting with a girl or to protect her from malicious mischief.

In the southern Małopolska area, mainly in the area of Limanowa, men disguisers called dziady śmigustne or słomiaki wore high hats and outfits braided from straw and went through the village in silence asking for offerings. As according to legend – emissaries who did not want to believe in the resurrection of Christ and proclaim the good news, lost their voices as a punishment. In the area of Mielec silent mówiące beggars pour water from containers with wishes for a good harvest.

In central Poland – Rawa Mazowiecka, Lowicz, Sieradz and Łęczyca, and also in the Śląsk and Wielkopolska regions, kurkiem po dyngusie is observed. A clay or stuffed rooster is placed on a decorated red two-wheeled cart. In ancient times a live rooster was sacrificed to the deities of
fertility and harvest. Kurcarskie celebrations are held in the spirit of courtship and intended to promote the pairing of young couples to provide descendants. The rooster for centuries has been a symbol of strength, beauty and masculinity. Songs and jokes were rewarded with eggs, sausage, cakes and money.

Easter Sunday – Niedziela Wielkanocna, Święto Zmartwychwstania Pańskiego

by Staś Kmieć

for the full article - Easter Traditions: The Holy Week – Wielki Tydzień check the April issue of The Polish American Journal

The celebration begins with a solemn Resurrection Mass, followed by Easter breakfast (Święcone). It was imperative that every member of the family have a taste of all the blessed foods and tradition forbids women to cook during this day, so all the food is prepared during the week before.

The table is covered with a white cloth and the centerpiece is the Easter lamb (angusek from the Latin Angus). The custom of setting the table with a lamb holding a red flag was introduced in the sixteenth century by Pope Urban V in the 16th century. Today, a Polish red and white banner is sometimes used.

A single blessed egg is divided and shared with each person at the table to ensure health, happiness and prosperity. Biały barszcz (white soup) is served with hard-boiled eggs and often meats, white cheese and horseradish from the Easter basket are added. A variety of sausages, sliced cold meats and roasted meats are served, along with side dishes such as: pickled mushrooms (grzybki marynowane) and beet and horseradish relish (ćwikła). Cakes include mazurek – a decorative, flat cake covered with almond paste and other nuts, colorfully iced and decorated with jam, nuts and raisins, sernik cheesecake, and in southern regions – piróg cake with a rice or kasza filling.

The traditional tall babka egg bread, which is baked in a scalloped form, is wonderfully light with a slightly sweet flavor. Using a similar recipe is the paska bread with its intricately-crafted braided top. In Podlasie and southern regions, a sponge cake known as sękacz is baked above a flame on a rotary spit. As a result of pouring layers of dough on the spit, its spikey form resembles a pine tree.

Traditional games using eggs are enacted such as: rolling eggs on the table, or walatka or wybitka – gently tapping the eggs thus scoring points and wins, for the longest period without a crack. A hill rolling game occurred in Upper Śląsk; while in Śląsk and Pomorze, according to German custom, baskets were prepared with surprises for the children.

PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS: Święconka -Easter Basket Blessing

by Staś Kmieć
for the full article - Easter Traditions: The Holy Week – Wielki Tydzień check the April issue of The Polish American Journal

On a Holy Saturday morning in my youth: dressed up in fine clothes, my brother and I prepared to bring our first Easter basket to church to be blessed at the parish Święconka. My mother and father assembled and arranged the contents according to tradition and upon entering the church hall; we were introduced to an ancient Polish ritual and what would become an annual commitment. With each year, the baskets became more elaborate, and eventually embodied the full extent of the custom. Extended family members living four hours away had the privilege to have visits from the parish priest, who would travel from house-to-house to personally bless the Easter table and leave with an envelope in hand.

Two sisters made our family complete, and each year a basket was blessed in either location. As the years went by and elder relatives passed away, celebrations centered at our hometown. Then the Polish parish was closed, and the observance was relocated to a church of merger.

The American priest welcomed this tradition – one he had never heard of. With Polish blessings translated into English by our displaced Polish pastor, the custom continued, and American baskets containing chocolate bunnies, marshmallow peeps, and jelly beans were added. The Polish choir sang, as many parishioners looked in fascination at the odd Polish baskets filled with lambs made from butter or sugar, intricately decorated eggs, sausage, ham, smoked bacon, twaróg white cheese, babka, bread, horseradish, salt, a candle, and water to be blessed. Unlike the other baskets with cellophane grass, these baskets were decorated with fresh flowers, pussy willows, ribbons, and sprigs of greenery and covered with white eyelet embroidered doilies.

The cherished Święconka tradition is one of many Easter traditions that are identifiable
and unique to Polish Catholicism.

Holy Saturday – Wielka Sobota

by Staś Kmieć

for the full article - Easter Traditions: The Holy Week – Wielki Tydzień check the April issue of The Polish American Journal

The blessing of water, fire, thorns and food takes place on this day. In Poland, blessing of the baskets is a practice
dating to the 15th century or earlier, and one which is still maintained by Polish families today. The mother of the family or an older child carries a basket filled with Easter offerings to be blessed by the parish priest. Holy water for home use can be taken from the church.

Historically, only the rich had food blessed in their homes, while the poorer rural and urban population wrapped food and traveled to churches, where the priest blessed them. The poorest brought only bread, salt and eggs. The richer set their entire tables to be blessed directly. In rural areas, the size and contents of a basket was a matter of pride and standing in the community.

The Easter lamb made of butter, sugar, pastry, marzipan, clay, plaster, blown glass, or wood stands for Jesus, the Paschal lamb. The hard-cooked eggs symbolize new life or Christ rising from his tomb. Bread represents the bread of life given by God. Meat and sausages are symbols of the resurrected Christ, horseradish acknowledges accepting the bitter with the sweet in life. Salt is to add zest to life and preserve us from corruption.

Liturgically speaking, Holy Saturday lasts until 6 pm or dusk, after which the Easter Vigil
is celebrated. The service begins with a fire and the lighting of the new Paschal candle. During the "Gloria,” the church statues and icons, which had been covered during Passiontide, are
dramatically unveiled, the organ plays and bells ring once again.

Good Friday – Wielki Piątek

by Staś Kmieć

for the full article - Easter Traditions: The Holy Week – Wielki Tydzień check the April issue of The Polish American Journal

Holy Friday is the day of deepest mourning and a strict fast is observed. Traditionally a time of silence and prayer is observed from 12 to 3 o'clock. In church during afternoon service, a coffin with a cross and surrounded by candles is prominently displayed, and a ceremony of adoring and kissing the Cross is observed at the conclusion.

At Stations of the Cross the martyred Christ is offered to the grave. In cities and towns, people visit various churches to view representations of Christ’s tomb, which are often beautifully and artistically arranged and decorated in flowers.

Honor guards (Turki Wielkanocne) consisting of local fraternities, students, scouts and even the army keep watch in shifts through the night.

Staged events of the Passion often occurred, along with a procession. Mystery Plays are staged at several shrines (including Kalwaria).

Not only was there abstention from meat dishes, but also a single meal fast. The devout voluntarily refrained from eating and drinking, or would drink only water and eat dry bread.

Holy Thursday – Wielki Czwartek

by Staś Kmieć
Also known as Święta Kapłanów (the feast of the priests), this day is known for when the sacrament of the priesthood was instituted at the Last Supper. There is the consecration of oils; all bells are silenced following “Gloria” and replaced by kołatki (wooden hammer or rotating rattle boxes) as a sign of mourning, but also representing the betrayal of Judas; the organ is not played; and at the end of the Mass the altar is stripped bare. Dark matins cover religious artifacts and statues, and all candles are extinguished. Traditionally, the organ is silent from Holy Thursday until the Easter Vigil, as are all bells or other instruments; the only music during this period being unaccompanied chant.

Priests would hit the altar top as a sign of the chaos that followed when the Roman soldiers captured Christ leaving the disciples terrified. This high rite was an excuse for young boys prone to mischief, and who could hardly endure the Lenten seriousness to run through the streets making noise with their own kołatki and by banging sticks on fences and gates.

A straw or stuffed effigy of Judas with thirty pieces of broken glass in his pocket (symbolizing the thirty pieces of silver) was hung, or thrown from the church tower where onlookers would catch the figure and wander through the streets shouting "Judasz!” The effigy is beaten until completely destroyed; the remains are burned or thrown into a pond or river.

REVIEW: Mazowsze - The National Song and Dance Ensemble of Poland

Tour itinerary: http://pajtoday.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html

A Nod to the Past with a Look to the Future

by Staś Kmieć

Mira Zimińska-Sygietyńska, co-founder of Mazowsze once said "There are three stars of Mazowsze - the dancers, the singers and the costumes." The famed Polish company did not disappoint with a

vivacious performance on November 14th at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, which opened their current North American tour. An extension of that assessment would include the memorable compositions based on folk tumes by Tadeusz Sygietyński and the masterful choreography – the majority of which is by Witold Zapała.

The formula of Mazowsze has changed little over the years and familiar favorites are always a "wel

come friend” – worth waiting for, such as Elwira Kamińska's Krakowiak masterpiece, the romance and lift of Zbigniew Kiliński's Kujawiak and the epic scope of Zapała's Mazur from the Duchy of Warsaw period.

The current program includes three new selections. The remainder is drawn from the company's vast repertoire, although in some cases in an abbreviated form. There is the same richness of style; the technical prowess of the performers has evolved over the years.

As the program presented was Christmas in Warsaw, many of the folk melodies that Mazowsze is known for were missing. In their place were majestically performed kolędy carols.

The new costumes for Songs from Racibórz were presented as a cross-section of the area including the uniformed miner Górnik, the men in their yellow doeskin leather pants (jelenioki) and wide-brimmed kania hats, and the maidens attired in a white-embroidered loose jacket (kaftan – “jakla”) with rich brocade aprons and galanda wreaths of artificial flowers. The married woman's representation included the head kerchief (chustka – “purpurka”) and characteristic beads adorned with a cross (korale z krzyżkiem).

The songs with musical arrangement by Tadeusz Niećko were gentle and pleasant tothe ear. The suite included the regional tunes – “W Starym Piecu,” “Zachodzi S

ł

oneczko,” “Piosenka o Raciborzu” and a medley of Waloszki (waltzes).

Chopin's Rondo à la Krakowiak paid homage to the famed artist's 200th anniversary and to the rich tradition of Polish folk-style ballets. The 50-year old stylized ballet costumes were found in the wardrobe's archive. They had been intended for a U.S. Tour when the company was to present a represenation of the classic 19th century Polish ballet Wesele w Ojcowie. The project was abandoned and the costumes lay in storage. Cleaned and refurbished, they now debut in this folk tale.

A delicate pastoral scene with Romantic era gestures and épaulement sets the stage with a scarecrow (Strach na wróble) in the background providing the tone of calm. A lively procession of Krakowiacy enters and the cwal sliding step and hołubiec clicks match the temperament of the composition. The choreography gives a chance for the dancers, many who have trained in ballet from an early age to dance in this classical style.

Visually stunning, Życzenie G-dur op. 74 (the Maiden's Wish) also by Chopin, was exquistely staged, and

costumed in period attire.

With the untimely death of Tadeusz Sygietyński in 1955, Mazowsze considered ceasing its operations; in 1997 when the company lost their beloved Mira, again they were again faced with an uncertsain future;

directorships followed with varying degrees of impact and effect. Today a new artistic director Ryszard Grąbowski – the offspring of two of Mazowsze's finest performers is at the helm with the task of making the company relevant to today's audience. How to attract a younger audience in a Poland lost in the conventions of computer technology and the phenomenon of mainstream entertainment and commercialism.

Master choreographer Witold

Zapała

, whose name is now synomymous with Mazows

ze had an early connection with the company first as its premier soloist and later as its unifyi

ng force as the chief choreographer. He has shaped the

comp

any with unique visual arrangements and style and is the link to its origins and the

continuation of its artistic vision.

He has an assistant/ballet mistress Wioletta Milczuk, who has learned all the repertoire and will b

e the "

keeper of the flame" for the next generation.

Mazowsze has entertained us for years, and despite a fresh artistic interpretaion of village life, it is often regarded as a living cultural archive and a relic of the past. It has a complicated legacy to contend with and today it strives to balance its “nod to the past” with a “look forward to the future.” Sto Lat Zapała; long live Mazowsze!

The tour is presented courtesy of 2Luck Concepts.

Follow Mazowsze on www.MazowszeOnTour.blogspot.com.

Review appears in the December issue of The Polish American Journal

Mazowsze on Tour

The best way to experience the magic and magnificence of Mazowsze – The National Song and Dance Ensemble of Poland is to see the company perform live. The world-renowned company returns to North America in a special 60^th Anniversary celebratory tour of live performances November 14 – December 12. Presented by 2Luck Concepts, the tour will feature 90 dancers, singers and the full 23-member orchestra.

Click link for full tour itinerary and theater contact information: http://pajtoday.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html

Coming soon... Mazowsze on Tour Website

Follow Mazowsze before and during the tour on the website – Mazowsze on Tour (www.MazowszeOnTour.blogspot.com). Background information on the dances, the songs, and the performers, along with historical information, and Mazowsze backstage, on-the-road, sightseeing, and personal.