| Stop counting calories and indulge in the exquisite flavours that are the essence of Poland at the Polish Festival @ Federation Square on Sunday, November 15, 2009. Stalls at this year's festival will feature delicacies such as pierogi, which many translate as filled dumplings or ravioli, but neither term really does the pierogi justice - you just have to try it. Or you can try some bigos, Poland's true national dish.
www.polishfestival.com.au/
But don't miss out on the placki ziemniaczane (Potato Pancakes) think of them as the Polish version of hash browns, but far tastier and even more tantalising when had with sour cream and sugar. No Polish Festival would be complete without polish sausages (kielbasa), made even more splendid when washed down with a glass of beer or a shot of vodka.
If sweeter treats are more to your liking, a favourite for most Poles are traditional Polish donuts (paczki) but leave some room for Polish cheesecakes which simply melt in your mouth. To counter the calories stroll amongst the stalls, take a look at the superb amber jewellery or various arts and crafts but don't miss the colour, splendour and enthusiasm of the folk dancing a visual display of Poland's heritage. Trust me, you will be tempted to join in.
The festival will leave you feeling as if you have just spent the afternoon in a square in Old Warsaw or Krakow.
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Sunday 15th November will see the stage at Federation Square filled with Pole dancing the whole family can enjoy.
For the fifth consecutive year, Federation Square once again plays host to one of Melbourne's biggest and brightest cultural events – the annual Polish Festival @ Federation Square. The aim of the Polish Festival is to bring not only Polish dance but also the unique beauty, flavours and melodies of Poland to Melbourne, transforming our CBD's most prominent landmark into a showcase of a vibrant, 1000-year-old culture in which hospitality and festivity play an integral role.
The Festival has something to delight every person and every sense. The square's main stage is a hub of music, colour and animation throughout the day as traditional Polish dances are performed by both adults and children. Down along the Yarra’s River Walk, the nose and tastebuds are brought into play as various stalls serve up the classics of Polish cuisine, including mouth-watering kiełbasy (sausages), pierogi (dumplings filled with combinations of pork, beef, mushrooms, cabbage and secret herbs that only Polish grandmothers can pronounce), bigos (hunter's stew that tradition says tastes better after three days, but never actually lasts past the day of creation!) and pączki (doughnuts with a variety of fruit, creme or even rose-petal jam fillings).
There’s plenty to keep the kids occupied too, including face-painting and mask-making, at the free all-day Kid's Stop. And for the parents, a shaded beer garden provides the perfect space to relax and enjoy the flavours of Poland’s world-famous vodka and beer.
The Festival also has plenty to satisfy the shopping bug, with an abundance of merchandise on offer including books, clothes, fashion accessories, Christmas decorations and travel packages, much of it unique to the Festival. Perhaps most enticing is the range of elegant amber jewellery, crafted in Poland and renowned worldwide for its beautiful honey colour and calming properties.
Set against the sunny spring weather of Melbourne, all this comes together to create a memorable day that allows you to experience the lively, Old World centre of Europe just by taking a short drive/train trip from home. With so much to see, taste and purchase, make sure you don't miss out on this year's Polish Festival @ Federation Square, 10am-5pm on Sunday 15th November.
More info here
Other Events:
Festival Indonesia
24 - 25 October 2009
Polish Festival[]
15 November 2009
Turkish Festival
21 November 2009
Greek Thessaloniki Festival
22 November 2009
Oromo Community Festival - TBC
December 2009
Viva Brazil - TBC
January 2010
Bengali Festival
April 2010.
Article published and updated October 9, 2009 | 
