Kosciuszko Waltz |
By Stephanie Zbik
Lajkonik “Polish Song & Dance Ensemble “ Sydney
Lajkonik’s trip to Jindabyne was a fantastic opportunity for me to be a part of a truly unique and memorable experience. It was my FIRST TRIP ever to the Snowy Mountains and the Kosciuszko National Park. I was proud to be asked to participate in performing our Polish Folkloric dances at the Mound and Mount Kosciuszko Festival in Jindabyne and Cooma, 2007.
The long six-hour drive down from Sydney to the picturesque township of Jindabyne was tiring, however very worthwhile. My first view of the mountains and beautiful Lake Jindabyne when I woke up in the morning (having arrived at midnight) made me feel happy to be there.
Lake Jindabyne. Photo Chris Malek |
To participate in Part Two of the Kosciuszko Festival, meant exposure to a great display of Australian and Polish Culture and Heritage by a whole lot of people including Australians, Aussie-Poles and Polish-Aussies, depending on what you feel you are!
In Lajkonik, we have a mixture of all types of Aussies and Poles, and some from families where one parent is Polish and the other is either Australian, Italian, Maltese, Arabic or Tongan. What we have in common is that we all live in Australia, we all belong to Lajkonik and we all love Polish dancing and try and perform as often as we can!
In sharing this experience with Australians, who may not know everything there is to know about Mt Kosciuszko’s history, we were able to give them a taste of General Kosciuszko’s creativity in music as well as a display of Polish folk dancing.
Christopher Malek - the wonderful pianist |
There was also classical music by Chopin played by a wonderful pianist called Krzysztof Malek, and beautiful vocal performances by a real diversity of Polish and Australian artists from Sydney, Canberra and the local area and region. The common theme was Strzelecki and Kosciuszko and in fact everything to do with the Snowy Mountains, the Snowy Hydro Scheme and European Migration.
I hope that another Festival is held next year. I hope to walk to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko next time I am there!
By Stephanie Zbik
Lajkonik “Polish Song & Dance Ensemble “ Sydney
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