One week after our Canberra/Wollongong journey, Lajkonik embarked on another long journey out of Sydney, this time to Jindabyne and the Snowy Mountains. Lajkonik was asked to participate in a documentary which was to be filmed on the highest peak in Australia, Mt Kosciuszko. The documentary featured a celebration of T. Kosciuszko’s musical compositions which included two polonaises and a waltz.

The morning of the Mt Kosciuszko performance proved to be challenging for all of us dancers, due to a 4 am wake up call. The seemingly endless travel from our accommodation to our meeting point at Charlotte Pass was rewarded when we were privileged to watch the sunrise over the mountainous backdrop. The sunrise brought us some relief from the extremely cold morning temperatures.

The six pairs of Lajkonik dancers and several musicians were fortunate enough to be driven up to the foot of the mountain, whilst many others had to do the full 3 hour trek to the summit of Mt.Kosciuszko. We quickly changed into our Goralskie costumes and walked the remaining 1.4kms up the mountain where the dancers and the musician’s paid tribute to two important people in Australian and Polish history, and hopefully, reminding all of Australia the significance of the naming of the highest peak in Australia by Edmund Paul Strzelecki.

We could not have chosen a better day to visit the peak of Mt Kosciuszko. The picturesque setting in the Snowy Mountains was breathtaking. Lajkonik decided to take this opportunity to take some photos in costume for our generous sponsors such as Steric, makers of Staminade and for Simpliciti. The great weather conditions and distant mountain views proved another great opportunity for many on-lookers to take home some photos of us in our traditional Polish costumes.

We performed our signature dance “Goralski”, a dance which is perfectly suited for the mountainous surroundings. Other performances on the day included the “Windjammers” and their uplifting version of Kosciuszko’s music. One of the highlights of the journey to Mt Kosciuszko was the celebration of a short Mass while overlooking the mountains by two visiting Jezuit priests. I believe that the whole experience will always be remembered as a unique presentation of Polish culture in Australia.

Sunday involved another performance in tribute to Strzelecki and Kosciuszko but this time it was held at Charlotte Pass at the lookout platform. This National Premier concert was just as significant as the one on Mt Kosciuszko. Several important dignitaries and an audience were present to whom we performed our Goralskie, nearly bringing down the timber deck with our Goralskie stamping (cupkanie!). With spectacular mountain views, it was once again an exceptional opportunity for some great photos.

Overall, the mission to the Snowy Mountains was gruelling and tough for everyone involved; however the opportunity to present the deep Polish connection to Mt Kosciuszko was more than enough motivation to make the trip. The performers were elated with their involvement in such a special weekend in Jindabyne.

It is also important to mention the workers and their trucks (Fairidge P/L building the highest toilets in Australia at Rawson’s Pass) in aiding us in our travel up the mountain, especially with all the equipment we had with us.

Generally, everybody we met in the Snowy Mountains was extremely helpful and generous, including with the photo taking. Lajkonik is looking forward to going back to Jindabyne in April this year for a continuation of the celebrations, and we invite other Sydney, Canberra and Wollongong Dance Ensembles to join us!

Matthew Iglinski