Session One of the Polish Dance Instructors’ Course in Kraków finished on Friday night 24th January with successful results. All 4 Lajkonik dancers passed one test and two exams with excellent marks and finished on a huge “high”. Notwithstanding the challenge, all 4 are ready and keen to be back in July/August for Sessions 2 and 3. We feel very proud and special to be a part of this Course.
After a bit of a mandatory sleep-in on Saturday morning, our Lajkonik contingent headed off to do the educational sightseeing part of our trip which is associated with Kosciuszko Heritage Incorporated (KHI).
Ernestyna & Lajkonik dancer at the Holy Mass at Mt Kosciuszko after the Kosciuszko Music on Mt Kosciuszko event on 2007-01-17. Photo by Krzysztof Kozek |
Lajkonik Polish Song and Dance Ensemble has been closely associated with KHI for over 15 years now, dancing in the first big event “Kosciuszko Music on Mt Kosciuszko” in February 2007, and almost every festival and event after that, including the Strzelecki plaque unveiling in Towong and associated concert in Corryong Victoria, November 2023. This was when Ernestyna Skurjat-Kozek late President/foundress of KHI was already very ill and so KHI activities were significantly limited from that time on to the post-Strzelecki Year matters and follow ups. We sadly lost Ernestyna on 20 October 2024.
Kraków, Rynek, Lajkonik at the Kosciuszko Oath plaque |
Back to Kraków. Last Saturday 25th January was spent by our Lajkonik Kurs team, in the beautiful Kraków Square called the “Rynek”. We visited the Kościół Mariacki, heard the trumpeter from the Church tower, walked through the Sukiennice (14th Century Cloth Hall), and stood on the pavement in the rynek which marks the place where General Tadeusz Kościuszko in 1794 took his oath to lead the Polish army against the Russian Imperialist Army. This was the start of the Kościuszko Insurrection against the Russian aggressor. We took a photo here noting on a small poster the support we have had from KHI.
Krzysztofory, Museum of Kraków: Lajkonik meeting Lajkonik |
Krzysztofory, Museum of Kraków: Lajkonik & Szopka |
Lajkonik at Gościnna Chata restaurant |
Next, we visited the Krakow Museum which is on the corner of the rynek and not far away. In the Museum foyer, we had a photo with the figure of Lajkonik, visited the annual display of stunningly-beautiful Christmas Szopki and the permanent exhibition within the museum, and then walked through the charmingly-lit streets to find a place for dinner, ultimately choosing a charming restaurant called Gościnna Chata. Food was delicious! We enjoyed different Polish meals including pierogi, schabowe and golonka, finishing with Polish beer and Góralska herbatka. It was a delightful way to finish an intensive, challenging week and celebrate goals met.
Abi & Angy (Lajkonik) at the Ehtnographic Museum |
Kraków, Kazimierz, Ehtnographic Museum |
Kraków, Kazimierz, Lajkonik at the Ehtnographic Museum |
Mound Kościuszko, Kraków, Lajkonik with Professor Piotr Dobosz, President of the Kopiec Kosciuszki and the Director of Kopiec Kościuszki, dr Leszek Cierpiałowski |
Lajkonik on top of the Kopiec Kosciuszki (Mound Kosciuszko) |
Sunday morning, the Lajkonik team headed off by tram to the Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz where we walked through the cobbled streets and visited the wonderful Ethnographic Museum. At 12 noon, we caught ubers up St Bronislawa Hill to visit the Kosciuszko Mound and Museum. Here we were met by Professor Piotr Dobosz, President of the Kopiec Kościuszki, and Museum Director Leszek Cierpiałowski who welcomed our delegation from Australia and presented us with a set of special commemorative medals. We were then given a detailed and customised tour of the Museum. We were very grateful for this privilege and felt very special. As it was Australia Day, we left an Aussie flag with Pan Leszek.
Lajkonik at the Wawel Royal Castle |
After taking photos at the top of the Kopiec, our team took ubers to the Wawel where our intention was to see the sarcophagus of Kościuszko in the underground of the Wawel, with the Crypts of Polish Kings. As we arrived a couple of minutes after 3.30pm, we were denied entry and were unable to find the Rektor or a Sister-in-Charge to be obtain special permission to be allowed in to this area. This was a huge disappointment. We were not aware of the last entry time of 3.30pm even though the actual end of viewing time is 5pm. We had to be satisfied by a photo in front of that part of the Wawel castle where you go in to see the Crypts. This important place will have to wait until our next trip in July.
Tadeusz Kościuszko's signature |
Thank you again to Kosciuszko Heritage Incorporated for your support and we hope to continue our journey of learning by visiting Politechnika Krakowska to see Kościuszko paintings, the battle field in Racławice, as well as Poznan, Głuszyna and Warszawa on our next trip. Although winter has not been as cold as expected, it is not as easy to get around as in the Polish summer. Therefore these further important places will be on the educational tour next time.
We hope you enjoy our photos of our sightseeing and educational activities this week and we duly acknowledge our sponsorship from Kosciuszko Heritage Inc.
Lajkonik at the Polish Dance Instructors’ Course in Krakow |
We ask and hope that the Polish Community will understand and support this project to maintain and preserve Polish culture for future generations. The best way is to learn from the experts in Poland. It’s a challenge but we believe we can do it. Session One is behind us, and Sessions Two and Three await us at the end of July/mid August.
Our Go Fund Me page link is: https://gofund.me/abea4d40.
Please get behind our trainee Polish Dance Instructors.
Ursula Lang, Artistic Director of Lajkonik
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