The 24th Annual Dozynki dinner, sponsored by The Toledo Poznan Alliance will be held on Sunday, October 26th. Please join TPA at the Franciscan Center on the campus of Lourdes University at 12:30 PM for this special event. This year’s program includes: Procession Echoes of Poland Song and Dance Ensemble Authentic Polish dinner catered by Malczewski Recognition of Polish American Community of Toledo (PACT) scholarship winner Open bar/silent auction/raffle (baked goods) Tickets are $30 per person. Please make checks payable to Toledo Poznan Alliance. Send check to: Rosalie Hinde, 2909…
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Wigilia Celebration 2013 (December)
Wigilia Celebration 2013 (December) Celebrate a traditional meatless meal and the customs associated with the “Vigil” of Christmas: breaking Opletek, food, prayer and kolendy. This is a popular event that celebrates the Polish Christmas tradition of Wigilia. To learn more about Wigilia, click on it under “Polish traditions” on our web page. More details about this event will be available in the fall of 2013.
Read More2012 WIGILIA DINNER
This year’s Wigilia celebration was a mixture of Polish heritage and Christmas traditions, renewing old friendships and making new friends. The weather was perfect, the food, prepared by Mike Janiszewski and Gayle Sparagowski was mouth-watering delicious and the mood was festive. There was even an appearance by the mailman, Ken Stein. (If you don’t know the meaning of the visit by the mailman, you haven’t been to our Wigilia Celebration.)
Read MoreSzopka
Krakow Crib Competition – Szopka Kraków is a beautiful city any time of year, but in the winter when blanketed with snow, it becomes a virtual fairyland. At the beginning of December, the Rynek Główny (Main Market Square) is transformed into a Christmas market with wooden huts cuddled together as if against the cold. This tradition dates to the Middle Ages with arts and crafts, ceramics, sweets and more for sale.
Read MoreDozynki Harvest Dinner presented by Poznan Alliance
The Polish Dozynki Harvest Dinner is an annual custom presented by the Toledo Poznan Alliance, a Toledo Sister Cities International affiliate, to friends of Polonia who appreciate and value Polish traditions. This year they are celebrating Polish American Heritage Month. Since 1608, when the first Polish settlers arrived at Jamestown, VA, Polish people have been an important part of America’s history and culture. In 2012, Polish Americans will mark the 31st Anniversary of the founding of Polish American Heritage Month. It has become a national celebration of Polish history, culture…
Read MoreEaster traditions by Rosemary Chorzempa
Wigilia Celebration 2011
If you want to put some “Polish” in your Christmas traditions, there’s no better place to start than at PACT’s annual Wigilia Celebration. This year, Stan Machosky, PACT Board member and resident MC, did an excellent job explaining some of the Christmas Eve traditions observed in Poland. Some of this year’s Wigilia participants also shared their Polish Christmas Eve traditions with everyone. The first tradition of lighting a candle in the window to signify the start of Wigilia was performed by Nick.
Read MoreOplatec
The Meaning of Oplatki (Christmas Wafers) The celebration of Christmas by American families is enriched spiritually when time honored “old country” traditional customs are adopted. These practices serve to downplay the secular emphasis that has made of this holy time more of a “sell-ebration”. These customs reemphasize what this great celebration is all about – the proclamation of the “good news” for all humankind of our redemption. An especially popular custom is the sharing of the “Oplatek” or Christmas wafer, also known as “Anielski Chleb” or Angel Bread. For the…
Read MorePolish Wedding Traditions continued
Czepek dance – Money dance The money dance is also an original Polish custom. It takes place after the oczepiny ceremony. Guests pay money for the privilege of dancing with the bride. The maid of honor collects money for the couple to use as they set-up their household together. Today guests pay to dance with both the bride and the groom. At the end of this ceremony, the bride and the groom dance together while the money is counted to determine who has collected more. Wedding cake The ceremonial…
Read MoreThe Polish Wedding
Description of Polish Wedding Customs Wedding day The wedding day is full of activities and emotions, alternating between sorrow and joy, solemnity and humor. Early in the morning, the closest relatives begin to appear at the bride’s home for breakfast and to help in preparations for the ceremony. Next, there is a wedding ceremony at the local church, followed by the reception at the local community house (the bride’s family cottage could hardly accommodate all the wedding guests including relatives, friends, and the entire village.) Greeting with bread & salt…
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