What is the Mound and Mount Kosciuszko Festival?
This unique celebration of Polish culture in Australia aims to connect two representative landmarks in Australia and Poland – the Kosciuszko mound in Krakow, Poland and Mount Kosciuszko in Australia’s Snowy Mountains. A combination of music, poetry, song and dance, the Mound and Mt Kosciuszko Festival also features a beautiful exhibition of iconic photographs.

The event is planned and executed by the Puls Polonii Cultural Foundation Inc. in association with the Polish folkloric group Lajkonik and the Polish-Australian Internet newspaper, Puls Polonii.

Read Articles from the 2008 Festival
Read the articles from the 2008 Festival

See Photographs from the 2008 Festival
- Photo gallery 1
- Photo gallery 2
- Photo gallery 3
- Photo gallery 4
- Photo gallery 5

Who was Tadeusz Kosciuszko?
General Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a fighter of the highest calibre for human rights, for freedom, independence and democracy, in both the United States and Poland, was also a talented artist – drawing, painting and composing musical pieces – among them two polonaises and a waltz.

General Kosciuszko regarded the toleration of slavery as the darkest blot on the escutcheon of a free America, violating his concept of a land of the free and equal. Before his departure to Europe, Kosciuszko pleaded for the emancipation of the Negro slaves.

The Polish nation wished to commemorate General Kosciuszko by means of a permanent and simple monument. On July 19th 1820, a decision was made to erect a symbolic tomb for the Leader, built of native soil and stones, on the hill of Blessed Bronislawa in the western part of Cracow.

Learn more about Kosciuszko by visiting Hero of Democracy.



2008 Festival Programme

The Official Programme of the 2008 Mound and Mount Kosciuszko Festival, updated on the 23rd of March 2008.

Friday 18th April
Polonaise Walk to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko
Group A from Thredbo meets at Chairlift at 9.30 (leader Ursula Lang), Group B from Charlottes Pass will assemble at 8.30 am for those going via Seamans Hut (leader Tony Lang) and Group C going via Blue Lakes leaves from Charlottes Pass at 8am (leader Andrzej Kucyper).
4 pm: youth and seniors meeting at Charlottes Pass to sing together (song books will be available); photos on the Lookout.
6 pm: chitchat, rehearsals & Information Point, Memorial Hall, Jindabyne.

Saturday 19th April
9am: Screening of film "In the footsteps of Strzelecki”, Jindabyne Cinemas and associated exhibition of images.
10am: Official Festival Opening with Aboriginal Welcome in front of the Sublime Cafe, National Parks and Wildlife Visitor's Centre, Jindabyne. Announcement of winners of the Photographic Competition "The Young and The Talented" and display of work of finalists. Mini-concert featuring Paul Mackay with his song “Ancient Dreaming”; refreshments.
11am: Screening of biographical film about General Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Jindabyne Cinemas.
12pm: BBQ lunch at the Memorial Hall.
2–4.30pm: Variety Concert "Kosciuszko, Hero of Many People and Nations", Memorial Hall, Jindabyne. Some songs of the finalists will be performed.
5pm: Historical Meeting of all Strzeleckis at the Statue of Paul Edmund Strzelecki, Banjo Patterson Park, Jindabyne.
7pm: Polish-Aussie and Community Get Together – starting point: Memorial Hall.

Sunday 20 April
9am: Cooma – the Festival continues in Centennial Park, starting from 9am.
10am: Holy Mass at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Cooma.
11am-5pm: After the Mass, an official ceremony at the Park and the presentation of competition awards. Local and interstate artists’ performances will continue until 5 pm. A repeat screening of the Polish TV biographical film about Kosciuszko (with English sub-titles). High Country Market Day. Plenty of stalls, also with Polish food and handcraft. Polish beer “Żywiec” will be available in nearby pubs and hotels.

List of Festival Artists
The following cultural groups and performers joined us at the 2008 Mound and Mount Kosciuszko Festival

Lajkonik
Syrenka
Łowicz
POLHOP
Paul Dion
Cooma Caledonian Dancers
Cooma Band
Krzysztof Malek
John Hospodaryk
Paul Mackay
Asia Lunarzewska
Halina Gad
Alicia Polak
Paulina Pazdzior
Vashek and Vendulka
Tadeusz Szymanski
Lee Taylor Friend
Danielle Kelley
Alex Peczalski
Bunty Bisharah

List of Stallholders
The following individuals and businesses hosted stalls at the 2008 Festival.

Beaut Art Creations
Wszystko co polskie, Melbourne
Polonez Smallgoods, Sydney
Standom (Stanislaw Ciechanowicz, National Sausage King,) Adelaide
Puls Polonii