| Let me take this opportunity to introduce you to the “LAJKONIK POLISH SONG AND DANCE ENSEMBLE”. “ Lajkonik” is a non-profit folkloric ensemble and is responsibly managed by a Committee comprised of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers (parents and senior dancers) led by the current Artistic Director, Urszula Lang. The Ensemble was founded in 1990 by Urszula, and this year is celebrating a quarter century of existence. In its 25 years, the Ensemble has actively participated in the cultural and social life of Polish and Australian society, with the splendour of authentic costumes, vitality and joy of polish songs, dances and culture.
Urszula is the Australian-born daughter of Migrant Poles who arrived in Australia in 1959, after WWII, as Displaced Persons. Her parents are Jozefa and Mieczyslaw Wozniczka. She grew up in a household where “Bog, Honor, Ojczyzna” (God, Honour and Country) was the overarching creed, and this, as well as her parents’ strong work ethic to “make it” in Australia, has shaped her lifetime goals and attitudes, in both her professional work as an Urban Planner, and her passion in developing the Polish Song & Dance Ensemble “Lajkonik” as its Artistic Director and Choreographer.
To achieve this, she has utilised her many years of dance and performance training and experience, as well as choreographic studies completed in Lublin, Poland. Both of Urszula’s children, Joasia and Darek, are accomplished Polish dancers, and Joasia, as the longest serving dancer in “Lajkonik”, over the 25 years, still dances, and fulfils the role of Assistant Teacher when required. Urszula’s husband Tony, always and unfailingly provides technical and moral support to the Ensemble, in many different ways.
Lajkonik’s musical and vocal direction is overseen by Konstancja Kotowska, trained in the Lodz Conservatorium of Music, and also an accomplished performer, musician, pianist, piano and vocal teacher in her own right. Konstancja has dedicated almost 15 years in her association with “Lajkonik”.
Lajkonik’s current dedicated Committee is made up of Kasia Dabrowski (Treasurer), Joasia Krol, Kamila Lesniewicz, David Chorobski and Ola Kotarski.
“Lajkonik’s” main objectives are to promote and encourage a knowledge and understanding of Polish music, folk dance, traditions and culture to Polish youth and children in Australia so that they value and respect their Polish heritage; to maintain ongoing links with Poland; and to promote Poland’s amazing folk culture in Australia.
“Lajkonik” pursues excellence in dance and performance, but also places importance on developing good citizenship, lawfulness, and community mindedness amongst its members in preparation for later life. “Lajkonik” is proud of its Polish heritage and places importance on being a part of the Australian multicultural community.
As an Ambassador for Polish culture, “Lajkonik” is passionate about promoting the beauty of Polish song and dance through its memorable and diverse choreographies and authentic Polish Costumes. “Lajkonik” hopes to pass on to the next generation the treasures of Polish folklore with its uniqueness and power of expression. Artistic repertoire includes dances and songs from many regions of Poland. The distinctive feature of the performances of “Lajkonik” that separates it from other folk groups is the approach of the choreographer to maintain the authentic patterns of the Polish dances, and live singing which is also incorporated as an integral part of all performances.
Over 25 years, “Lajkonik” has taught Polish culture and tradition to over three hundred first and second generation Australians of Polish decent. At present, the Ensemble is composed of 45 dancers and singers, ranging from age 5 to 50, supported by their families with parents regularly volunteering to assist the Ensemble.
“Lajkonik” has participated in numerous folk festivals and community events, including eight Polish Arts Festivals called “PolArt” which are held every three years in capital cities around Australia and the largest of their kind outside of Poland. “Lajkonik” represented Australian Polonia five times in the International Folk Dance Festivals in Rzeszów, Poland. It has been the primary performing ensemble and co-organiser of all seven Kościuszko Festivals (K’Ozzie Fest) to promote knowledge about General Tadeusz Kościuszko and Sir Paul Edmund Strzelecki.
“Lajkonik” is believed to be the first and only dance ensemble in history known to perform on the summit of Mt Kosciuszko (February 2007). Polish Highland Dances from Żywiec were performed at the concert of “Kosciuszko Music on Mt Kosciuszko”.
“Lajkonik” regularly performs at multicultural festivals in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, as well as takes part in numerous Polish events and concerts in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, with in excess of 30 performances and events annually. Highlights include the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games, the 2003 Australian Dance awards at the Sydney Opera House, First Place and Highly Commended awards in World Dance at the 2005 McDonald's Performing Arts Challenge and participation in workshops facilitated by the Polish State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble "Mazowsze" in Karolin, Poland. Each year “Lajkonik” travels to Canberra for the National Multicultural Festival. There is always a crowd of thousands, and each year it amazes us how receptive the audience is to the Polish music and dancing. People approach our dancers to take photos with them in their colourful costumes.
“Lajkonik” also supports church events and remembers about the elderly by performing for them at nursing homes.
The Management Committee of “Lajkonik” is deeply conscious of the fact that young people today have unlimited options regarding choice of social and recreational activity, and the fact that they want to learn and perform Polish folk dancing and singing, putting many hours of their time into reaching a high standard of artistic performance, is something which really needs to be highlighted, valued and supported by Polonia.
Recently, in pursuit of more stable access to facilities and storage, the Ensemble moved to Marayong which houses the Holy Family Services Nursing Home and Retirement Village run by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, at 116 Quakers Road, Marayong. Two Ensemble groups train in the John Paul II hall next to the Polish War Memorial Chapel at the same address. Both the Senior and Junior Groups operate from Marayong whilst the original junior group continues to train at the All Saints Parish Hall in Liverpool .
After celebrating the 25th Anniversary at its Celebration Ball at Ashfield Polish Club on 30 May 2015, “Lajkonik” resumes intensive preparations for PolArt Melbourne, at the end of 2015.
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