Polish dance group’s plea
NUMBERS DWINDLE AT TRADITIONAL FOLK TROUPE FORMED IN 1949
ONE of the UK’s longest-running Polish folk dance groups is appealing for new members. And it hopes to attract new dancers while it performs at Gobefest later this month.
Asia Cullinan runs Polonez Manchester with help of Alex Gaffey, Marylka Steadman and Kasia Jasicka, which has been active since 1949.
Based in Moss Side, the troupe performs at events all over the country, and around the world, and boasted around 40 members in the 1950s but now only has around 25 dancers at its weekly sessions – almost a 40 per cent drop in numbers.
Kasia puts this decline in numbers down to the fact that folklore is not seen as fashionable and traditional dancing is perceived to be outdated. And though Manchester’s Polish population has grown since the country joined the EU in 2004, Kasia says recruiting members in the 2020s is much harder than in previous years.
She says that the majority of members are from Greater Manchester, but that a few dedicated dancers travel from the south to attend weekend workshops as well as festivals and performances.
Kasia says: “It does seem like it was easier to recruit people in the 20th century rather than 21st.
“I feel like people do not perceive folklore as a fashionable hobby, thus the number of members is a little bit lower nowadays. The age range is from around 24 to 50-plus and we currently have two generations of the same family dancing with us, which is beautiful to see,” she said.
“Our members are a mix of Polish expats, children and grandchildren of Polish natives, people of Polish heritage who were born in the UK, and those who have married into Polish families.
“Polish folklore and culture are so vibrant, colourful and welcoming so we’d invite anyone who is interested in joining, to come and see us at Gobefest and speak to us afterwards. You don’t need to be from a Polish background, and you don’t need any dance training, all our dancers are very supportive and will have you spinning, kicking and dancing to traditional Polish music in no time.” Polonez is rehearsing for Gobefest, the UK’s only free weekend-long festival to celebrate the legendary region of Transylvania and the Carpathian Basin. The free festival takes place in Cathedral Gardens and Exchange Square from June 24 to 26.
Our dancers will have you spinning, kicking and dancing to traditional Polish music in no time Kasia Jasicka