| Sunday 3 April 2016 was the day of a Special Concert. This concert was a collaboration between two groups in Canberra – Wielkopolska and Polish Children’s Theatre “Krasnoludki”, and Polish Song and Dance Ensemble “Lajkonik” from Sydney. Half the Lajkonik dancers travelled to Canberra on Saturday, the remainder travelled down to Canberra on Sunday. When we arrived on Saturday, rehearsal for the next day was already in full swing in the recently-renovated White Eagle Polish Club, in David Street, Turner.
When we walked into the hall, the teachers, Kasia and Marek Mikolajczak, stopped the rehearsal and a huge cheer of welcome to Lajkonik resounded from all the children. And then BACK to rehearsal. Our Lajkonik dancers looked at the energy and vitality of these children and thought “Wow, we better pull our socks up!” Anyway after a cheer in response, Lajkonik, despite being half strength, also practiced some dances so that all groups could get an idea of what the concert would look like.
It was heart-warming to see the children copying the “BIG GROUP’S” dance steps from the stage. Lajkonik did not fit on the stage so we danced on the floor in front of the stage.
Most of us stayed with Canberra families overnight, and before we knew it, it was Sunday, and time to get everything ready for the concert.
Charming, colourful stage decorations appeared, immediately transforming the atmosphere in the Club. There was a little painted chatka (hut), clouds and a sun, and a grove of Lowicki folk flowers – a typical garden in a village in Poland. How lucky Canberra groups are to have such talent amongst their parents. And sponsors ..... Lajkonik can only dream of having as long a list of sponsors as what Wielkopolska/Krasnoludki has!!!!!.
Just before 2pm, just over 100 guests started to arrive, include His Excellency Pawel Milewski, Ambassador of Poland, with his lovely family.
The next couple of hours was no less than a FEAST of Polish music, song, poetry, dance and tradition, finished by the song “Piekna Nasza Polska Cala”. Afterwards, flowers, thankyous, and congratulations to all concerned.
In addition to very positive comments from our Polish Ambassador, I was also sent a lovely testimonial from one of the parents, Agnieszka, who hosted some Lajkonik dancers for the night. Allow me to share this with you.
“Hi Ula, thankyou. It was a delight to have Marzena, Kayla and Abigail stay with us. So lovely to get to know them personally, I’m really glad we volunteered to have them stay. The concert was fantastic. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback and I really enjoyed watching your inspirational group on and off the stage.
What a lovely second family you have there – I wish we could have organised ourselves better and get to know you all more. You have inspired and given some wonderful memories for my children. I have some wonderful photos from the day that I’d like to share with you ...... I hope that we as a group can come and perform with you again – the energy is just wonderful. Warm regards – Agnieszka.”
Click here to see a photgallery prepared for you by Agnieszka
Ursula Lang
Roztańczony Ambasador |
Biały Mazur |
Mazur: Monika i Adam |
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