A Look At This Year's Rochester Polonia Scene

By Gerry Wilson

The Rochester, N.Y., Polish community has had many opportunities to celebrate its heritage in 2007.

During the winter months, the Polish Literary Club shared Polish Poetry followed by a selection of baroque music played by the Polish Youth String Players. In the summer, the poetry presentation was a short introduction to the history of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, as well as poetry and songs from this period. Everyone enjoyed the lecture, as it was presented in both Polish and English.

Sacred Heart Cathedral was the venue for a concert by Oratorium, a Polish religious music group. Some selections were sung in Polish while others were sung in English. In 1986, Oratorium participated in a Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II in the Castel Gandolfo. This group has gained international acclaim since its creation in 1975 by Fr. Lech Gralak in Inowroclaw, Poland. After the concert, a reception was held and those that attended had the opportunity to meet and talk with the members of the group.

The annual Polish Arts Festival was held on the grounds of St. Stanislaus Parish this summer. Thousands of homemade pierogi were made by its parishioners over several months in the parish’s kitchen. Golabki were made the week of the festival. People waited in line for these delicacies along with Polish sausage, kapusta and Polish beer. Arts and crafts were donated by parishioners to be raffled or sold. Live Polish music was being played in the church hall as people enjoyed their food. Many listened and danced as a polka band played outside under a tent. Many booths were manned by parishioners. Falcon members from Nest 52 in Rochester worked at a booth and shared information about the local Polish organizations. The two-day festival was a huge success.

In July, Polish Night at Frontier Field welcomed many fans from the Polish Community to watch the Rochester Red Wings play baseball against the Syracuse Chiefs. Polish Night at Paetec Park took place in September, where the Rochester Rhino’s played soccer against a team from Montreal. The Polish organizations represented were acknowledged throughout the game.

A two-day Krakow szopka workshop will be held in October at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. The szopka is a creche, formerly a puppet theatre, incorporated into Polish Christmas celebrations. It looks like a miniature castle or church with spired towers and a stage in the front where marionettes sing and give their dialogues. A master szopka builder, David Motak, from Pittsburgh, Pa., will conduct the workshop. Those who attend this workshop will have the opportunity to construct their own szopka.

To round out this year’s activities, a Wigilia dinner will be held in December at the Eisenhart Auditorium at the Rochester Museum and Science Center.