Frédéric Chopin has long been recognized as one of the most significant and individual composers of the Romantic age. His birth date is a matter of controversy; the town registration of his birth specifies February 22, but Chopin always gave the date as March 1. His birthplace was the village of Zelazowa Wola near Sochaczew, in the region of Mazovia. His father, Mikolaj Chopin, was French, his mother, Tekla Justyna Krzyzanowska, Polish. He was raised in Warsaw by a family that mingled with intellectuals and members of the middle and upper classes, and as a teenager he…
Read MoreCategory: Polish Heritage
In honor of Polish Heritage Month: Marie Curie
The woman who became “Madame Marie Curie” was named Maria Sklodowska at birth. She was nicknamed Manya”. She was born on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw. Manya graduated from high school at 15 with the highest honors. Shortly before she turned 24, she calculated she had saved up just enough money for university studies in Paris. She had looked forward to this moment for a long time. All the same, she took leave of her family and their beloved Poland with sadness. Maria Sklodowska left behind not only her father and country but…
Read MoreOctober is Polish Heritage Month
In honor of Polish Heritage Month, PACT will periodically publish articles about famous Polish people and the accomplishments of Poles in America and how they helped shape the history of America.
Read MoreTPGS Genealogy Presentation
“I’ve always wondered where my grandparents came from in Europe.” Ask Busia………………………………………….Ask Grandma “Where do I start?” Ask Dziadzia………………………………………………Ask Grandpa “I just don’t have time for all that research.” Join us for a Polish Genealogy Workshop
Read MoreAdam Grant (Grochowski) Exhibit
The Toledo Poznan Alliance and Lifelong Learning at Lourdes University is co-sponsoring a trip to visit the exhibit of Polish artist Adam (Grochowski) Grant. This trip will be Sunday, July 1st, and registration is just $25.
Read MorePolish Constitution Day in Chicago Illinois
Chicago Illinois was the place to be on May 5th for the Polish Constitution Day parade. This parade is the largest outside of Poland. Chicago Polonia, the largest Polish community outside of Warsaw proudly participated in the Parade in Downtown Chicago as well as Polish groups from the surrounding areas. There is no doubt that Polish pride is alive and well in the U.S. as was evidenced on the faces of all of the parade participants. Enjoy the photos from the parade and if you would like to see more,…
Read More3rd International Festival
It has come to PACT’s attention that the International festival has been scrapped this year due to financial difficulties of the Civic Center. We are not sure if this is true or not but will try to verify the information. Go to their website below for more information and updates.
Read MoreWigilia 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 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 More“Poles in the New World”
Ed Zawadzki is passionate about his Polish heritage and he’s not afraid to tell everyone he meets. Ed spoke of the many historical accomplishments of the Polish people in his recent visit to Toledo from the Hussars, the best cavalry unit in Europe, even the entire world to middleweight boxing champion, Tony Zale. He spoke at the Toledo Polish Genealogy Society, and the Kielbasa Dinner and Heritage Presentation sponsored by the Polish American Community of Toledo. He also made a visit to Zavotski’s Meats and Deli for a book signing.…
Read More