Temperate breezes, languid summer sunshine and curious locals and tourists, all mingling together in Sydney’s warm December weather …

Well, so it has been in previous years.

It seemed this year, however, that Polish tradition was simply no match for the powerful, and utterly unexpected, forces of Australian meteorology at Darling Harbour’s Tumbalong Park on Saturday, the 2nd of December, at the annual Polish Christmas.

Lining the grounds were stalls with Polish products – white, plastic tent coverings flapping chaotically in the strong winds. Christmas baubles painted with snowy landscapes; pots, pans and silverware; books, newspapers, novellas; the glint of golden amber jewelry; hats, scarves and t-shirts adorned with crests of red eagles; educational societies; Christian radio; fine art, paintings and portraits – all enticing curious tourists.

Set against the backdrop of the Chinese gardens and Convention Centre, the smells of Polish cuisine and the sight of small goods also began to tempt onlookers, while distant rumblings of thunder themselves tempted passers-by to hurriedly prepare umbrellas.

Not only could the hungry visitor feed his or herself with sauerkraut, bigos (stewed sauerkraut with meat,) sausages, pierogi (fried dumplings,) p±czki (Polish doughnuts filled with jam conserve,) but this year, for the first time, parched tongues could be relieved with Polish beer from a new Beer Garden – tables, chairs and umbrellas merrily assembled beneath a big screen periodically projecting short films of traditional Polish dances and scenery.

Artificial snow was equally enjoyed as another of this year’s novelties – children amusing themselves with sodium polyacrylate.

And whilst the biting winds, overcast skies and eventual rain did preside over many of the day’s festivities, a deep azure pierced the clouds for several hours, puncturing sunlight onto the grounds.

Following a welcome from Virginia Judge, NSW Member of Parliament for Strathfield, presenters Marta Kieæ-Guba³a and Darek Paczyñski announced the folkloristic dancing group Lajkonik, who dove for cover following their first performance, due to the unexpected re-appearance of rain.

Though suspended for an hour, during which the ambassador of the Republic of Poland Jerzy Wiêc³aw and the Hon. Arthur Chesterfield-Evans spoke to the assembled crowd, the performances shortly resumed with appearances from the dancing ensembles Jawor and Syrenka, as well as a song from young Oliwia Kierdal.

Follwing the announcement of the winners of the primary school competition I Love My Polish Class, the youngest performer of the day – Olga Kryj-Bednarska – warmed onlookers with a cheerful song.

Another downpour of rain could not, however, dampen the spirits of the performers of Jawor – who, having traveled a great distance to present themselves in front of a Sydney audience – delighted onlookers with an hour of dancing and the singing of Polish carols, without microphones.

And so the fourth year of festivities in Darling Harbour slowly concluded themselves as dusk gradually descended upon Sydney. The new additions to Polish Christmas 2006 seemed to prove entirely popular with visitors; everyone seeming even to ignore the rain – seeing instead water, water everywhere, but lots of Polish Beer to drink.