| Echo's of the Polish Highlands resonated from the White Eagle Hall in Cabramatta on Saturday 31st October at Podhale's "Góralska Zabawa". The night was all about the Polish Highlands where Polish Folklore Ensemble Podhale presented five new Góralski dance items, including a re-enactment of a Góralskie Wesele (Wedding).
The Hall was decorated in góralski wooden style cut-outs, hanging pine-cones and góralski hats. Tables were filled with cold meat platters including fragrant polish sausage 'kiełbasa Podhalańska' and of course 'oscypek' (a traditional goat’s cheese from the region of Podhale, imported from Poland). Fabulous 3-piece band "Merlin" (Ela, Mirek & Filip) entertained throughout the evening.
The artistic program was opened by the Senior Group with Dances from the Żywiec Highlands (Tańce Górali Żywieckich) - the Ensembles' laski arrived from Poland just in time, exactly 7 days before the zabawa. The Middle Group followed with dances from the Silesian Beskids (Tańce Beskidu Śląskiego) which included 'Kołomajki' as well as a display of entertaining floor work and acrobatics by the boys. There was no shortage of claps and cheers when our adorable Juniors danced Góralski to the popular tune of "Hej bystra woda".
Our guests joined in with social dancing before the Senior Group returned to the stage in a special re-enactment of a "Góralskie Wesele".
The roles of 'Pan młody' (groom) and 'Panna młoda' (bride) were played by Matthew Iglinski and Ania Fraczek, who became engaged on New Year's Eve 2008. Ania wore a beautiful white Podhalański Wedding costume and Matthew wore an authentic 'Podhalańska cucha' (mountaineers jacket). Both Matthew's and Ania's Mothers participated in the performance, adding that special touch.
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All the customs of a traditional Góralskie Wesele were on display including a moving entry of the beautiful Panna młoda, the dressing of the bride by her mother and godmother, the joyous entry of the groom bearing a white bouquet of flowers for his bride, the blessing of the bride and groom by their parents, the zabawa, the oczepiny, a duet performed by the married couple and a dance performed by the couples' male friends who clashed their ciupagi during Zbójnicki to 'chase away all bad things' from the young couples' new life together. At the end of the re-enactment, the audience was invited by members of Podhale to be part of the celebrations in a dance to the popular song "Wysoka Górka", played live by "Merlin".
Audience participation continued as guests sang along to "Góralu czy ci nie żal?".
The Senior Group returned to the dance floor with Dances from the Polish Highlands (Tańce Górali Podhalańskich) during which the 'Górale' showcased intricate footwork, clanged and threw their ciupagi in a dramatic display. One old Góral in the audience was seen to have a tear in his eye as he recounted his times as a small boy in the mountains so many years ago.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our function, including our wonderful Podhale families and friends for working so hard to make the night a success.
On Sunday 29th November, Podhale will be holding a Luncheon, combined with our End of Year concert and we would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to join us. We will be presenting all of the choreographies that our dancers have learnt this year, including the premier of a couple more dances and a repeat performance of the Góralskie Wesele.
Text: Barbara Gadd. Photos by Henry Iglinski
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