An Overview Of Polish Culture Throughout District II

By Sylvia Wiertel

From Chicago, Ill., to Milwaukee, Wis., to St. Louis, Mo., there are many Polish cultural locations and events one can seek out to learn more about their heritage, culture and traditions. Listed below are just some of what is available for Falcon members, particularly those in District II.

Chicago is rich in ethnic history. Whole areas of Polish, German, Irish, Italian, Swedish, Chinese, Mexican, Thai and Korean (along with many other nationalities) have made their homes and built a strong, diverse city. Chicago has the largest population of people of Polish descent outside of Warsaw, which also happens to be Chicago’s sister city.

Polish churches, from St. Hyacinth on the north side, to south side’s Five Holy Martyrs, where Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass, and dozens of others cover the city.

The Polish Roman Catholic Union’s Polish Museum of America, located on Milwaukee Ave., is the largest Polish museum in the United States. They have thousands of books in the Polish and English languages and artifacts rich in Polish history. The Polish Falcons of America has donated several items which are exhibited in the Paderewski room. The museum sponsors workshops on making Wycinanki, Pisanki and palm weaving, holds a Wigilia dinner and Swieconka, and sponsors concerts with Polish musicians, dancers and choral groups.

The Copernicus Center on the northwest side of Chicago showcases plays, movies and concerts from Poland. They host a huge outdoor Polish Fest on Labor Day weekend, with plenty of Polish restaurants and bakeries providing food. In addition, Polish crafts and artwork are always for sale, and the outdoor stage provides music filled with Polish musicians and dancers.

The Lira singers and dancers are a Chicago institution, performing all around the country and Canada. Their mix of traditional and modern music, regional songs, costumes and energetic dancers present a spectacular program that should not be missed. Their concerts at Symphony Center on Michigan Ave. attract thousands of people.

Chicago Heights has an active Polish community that celebrates with a festival every year. Nest 42’s Dozynki dinner, with music and singing of the old songs, should not be missed.

Milwaukee also has a strong multi-national ethnic community. Their Summerfest at the end of June is attended by hundreds of thousands of visitors. Our own Marian Hansen has directed the Polish festivities for the city’s Summerfest for years. Nest 725 has its Club at 803 E. Clarke Street and holds weekly gym classes. They also have an adult group, directed by Druhna Hansen, that performs ethnic skits and dances. They have created and sold hundreds of Polish Christmas ornaments at different ethnic fairs.

St. Louis, whose sister city is Szeczin, also has a strong multi-national ethnicity. Our National Director and former National Vice President Ronald Merzweiler is a member of the Missouri Fraternal Congress and has been honored by them as Fraternalist of the Year for his leadership and untiring work. Nest 45 is a very active Nest. They have a Club at 2013 St. Louis Ave. and run fish fries on Fridays during Lent. They prepare months in advance for their Polish Fest, which is held the weekend after Labor Day. They make the pierogi and golabki that accompany the kielbasa and kapusta and other delicacies. After filling up on the food and drink, you can dance off the calories to the music of the excellent Polish bands, or just listen and tap your feet. You can always find a wonderful selection of Polish books, butter lamb molds and many other Polish items of interest.

The first Saturday in May, we have the Polish Constitution Day Parade in Chicago, with more than 150 marching units, floats, bands, and motorcycle groups. Many Polish social organizations, schools, scouts, Polish Veterans and Polish Fraternals take part.

From the famous White Eagle Restaurant in the northwest suburb of Niles, Ill., to the Red Apple on Milwaukee Ave., Staropolska on Belmont Ave. on the northwest side of Chicago, to the south side’s Szala’s Restaurant on Archer Ave., Tatra on Pulaski, Mabenka on Cicero Ave. Burbank, to Sawa’s Old Warsaw Restaurant in the west suburb of Broadview, Chicago has more Polish restaurants than you could visit in months of eating out.