Special Calgary events mark Poland’s 100-year anniversary of independence
This year is an important one for the citizens of Poland and people of Polish descent around the world. On Nov. 11, the European nation will mark 100 years of regaining independence.
Once one of the largest countries in Europe, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as it was called actually disappeared from the map of Europe in 1795 when it was occupied and partioned by its neighbours, Czarist Russia, the Kingdom of Prussia and Habsburg Austria, says Calgary lawyer Tony Muszynski.
Poland did not exist again until Germany signed the armistice on Nov. 11, 1918, to end the First World War. That historic moment, when the country regained its independence, provides the backdrop for special celebrations in Calgary from Oct. 26-28.
Celebrating Poland will showcase Polish music, dancing, food, cinema and art at the Polish Canadian Cultural Centre in Calgary, 3015 15 th Street N.E.
“For Poles it’s independence day,” Muszynski says of Nov. 11. “It’s more than a day of remembrance, it’s also the day that their country came back into existence.”
Throughout its history, tumultuous events led to many Poles scattering far and wide around the globe, but the Polish diaspora has always retained a love for its homeland.
There are 20 million people of Polish ancestry living outside of Poland today, including more than a million in Canada and about 186,000 in Alberta, says Muszynski, part of the Celebrating Poland organizing committee.
They are “True Albertans, loyal Canadians and proud Poles,” he says, adding that the free events from Oct. 26-28 are open to all.
“It’s an invitation for all Calgarians to celebrate with us the centenary and achievements of Poland over the last 100 years,” says Muszynski.
All three days include a book fair, Polish food fair and historic exhibits, including a presentation on political and military actions that led to Poland regaining independence in 1918.
Highlights of the Friday schedule include a Polish lunch followed by films, lectures and live music performances.
Saturday’s agenda features more films, lectures and dance performances by the Mazovia Polish Song and Dance Group and the Krakusy Polish Folk Dance Group.
“Folk dance aficionados will get a chance to revel in the talents of local dance groups,” says Muszynski.
The event finale on Sunday includes a performance by the Polanie Song and Dance Group, a talk about Jozef Pilsudski who was instrumental in Poland’s regaining of independence, and a classical music recital of Chopin and Paderewski by Calgary’s Krzysztof Jablonski, laureate of the 1985 F. Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw and winner of numerous prizes in international competition.
Celebrating Poland is organized by the Polish Canadian Association of Calgary and the Polish Combatants Association of Canada Branch No. 18 Calgary.
For more details, including event schedules go to celebratingpoland.ca.