Polish Festival Seattle

Welcome to Seattle Center

Polish Festival Seattle is July 12: 12pm-7pm, at the Armory Food & Event Hall and Mural Amphitheatre. The festival is part of the Seattle Center Festál series. It is free and open to the public.

Seattle Center Festál is a year-round series of 25 free cultural festivals, produced in partnership with community organizations. In 2022, Festál celebrated 25 years of stories and traditions, ushering in a new era of hybrid programming. Learn more about Festál and subscribe to the newsletter for updates.

EVENT Schedule – SATURDAY, JULY 12: 12pm-7pm

ARMORY STAGE

Time	Activity/Performance
12:00pm-12:45pm	Parade & Opening Ceremony
12:45pm-1:30pm	Vivat Musica! The Polish choir “Vivat Musica!” was established in March of 2004 at the Polish Cultural Center in Seattle by Barbara Niesułowski. They have a rich repertoire of Polish national, patriotic, sacred, classic, folk songs and carols. Their goal is to show and expand knowledge of Polish culture, history and traditions but also to perform for those who enjoy singing or listen to songs sung with joy and passion. They have performed in over 200 concerts across the United States, Canada and Poland. At the Seattle Center Polish Festival “Vivat Musica!” has been performing every year, since 2012! This year, they will present a medley of traditional and popular Polish songs. Dr. Marcin Pączkowski, composer, conductor, digital artist, and performer is “Vivat Musica!” music director, Maria Grabowska is music consultant/piano accompanist and Mira Pawluskiewicz serves as the choir manager. Currently, they have 20 members and are always looking for new members to join their group.
1:40pm-1:55pm	Syrena (Łowicz Suite) Syrena Seattle Traditional Polish Dance Ensemble is dedicated to promoting Polish culture and traditional folk dance in Seattle, Washington and beyond. The adult group meets regularly since September 2023. We want to represent our beautiful and rich culture, every chance we get! Our dancers teach public about the history and traditions of different regions of Poland through dance, songs and costumes. The group meets every Friday at 7pm at Polish Home Association’s upper hall. We are always looking for new dancers to join! Follow us for more information on Facebook and Instagram: Syrena Seattle.
2:10pm-2:40pm	Daniel Conrad Daniel Conrad is a Polish-American with a great singing voice. He has performed at Polish Festivals in San Diego, Phoenix, Orange County, and Las Vegas, as well as at the San Diego County Fair. Get ready for a repertoire of various Polish hits!
2:55pm-3:20pm	Marcin Pączkowski (Solo) Marcin Pączkowski is a composer, conductor, digital artist, and performer, working with both traditional and electronic media. As a composer, he is focused on developing new ways of creating and performing computer music. He works with numerous ensembles in the Seattle area as an electronic music specialist. As the Music Director of Evergreen Community Orchestra, he presents concerts of diverse repertoire to local communities. He is also active in the local improvised music community performing on various instruments. For the Polish Festival Seattle Marcin will present a program exploring a selection of Polish folk songs through vocal and instrumental performance, as well as electronic sounds.
3:30pm-3:35pm	Sobótka (Polonez) The Polish dance group “Sobotka” was established and led by Elzbieta Szewczyk and Marek Stepien. Their primary goal is to teach the younger generation Polish culture through the art of dance. It is based in Portland, Oregon, and it meets at the Polish Saturday School. Currently, it includes several dance groups, a kindergarten group, a middle group and an adult group of parents, alumni and friends of Polish School.
3:40pm-4:00pm	Syrena (Krakowiak) Syrena Seattle Traditional Polish Dance Ensemble is dedicated to promoting Polish culture and traditional folk dance in Seattle, Washington and beyond. The adult group meets regularly since September 2023. We want to represent our beautiful and rich culture, every chance we get! Our dancers teach public about the history and traditions of different regions of Poland through dance, songs and costumes. The group meets every Friday at 7pm at Polish Home Association’s upper hall. We are always looking for new dancers to join! Follow us for more information on Facebook and Instagram: Syrena Seattle.
4:05pm-4:10pm	Sobótka (Warsaw Polka) The Polish dance group “Sobotka” was established and led by Elzbieta Szewczyk and Marek Stepien. Their primary goal is to teach the younger generation Polish culture through the art of dance. It is based in Portland, Oregon, and it meets at the Polish Saturday School. Currently, it includes several dance groups, a kindergarten group, a middle group and an adult group of parents, alumni and friends of Polish School.
5:00pm-5:25pm	Marcin Pączkowski Orchestra Marcin Pączkowski is a Seattle-based composer, conductor, digital artist, and performer whose work seamlessly blends traditional and electronic music. His compositions focus on innovative approaches to creating and performing computer music, and he frequently collaborates with local ensembles as an electronic music specialist. He is the Music Director of the Evergreen Community Orchestra, where he curates diverse and engaging performances for the local community. Marcin also teaches at Cornish College of the Arts and is an active participant in Seattle’s improvised music scene, performing on a range of instruments. At this year’s Polish Festival Seattle, Marcin will conduct a string orchestra in a special program celebrating contemporary Polish classical music. The performance will feature works by renowned composers Wojciech Kilar, Witold Lutosławski, and Henryk Mikołaj Górecki.
5:35pm-5:50pm	Syrena (Śląsk) Syrena Seattle Traditional Polish Dance Ensemble is dedicated to promoting Polish culture and traditional folk dance in Seattle, Washington and beyond. The adult group meets regularly since September 2023. We want to represent our beautiful and rich culture, every chance we get! Our dancers teach public about the history and traditions of different regions of Poland through dance, songs and costumes. The group meets every Friday at 7pm at Polish Home Association’s upper hall. We are always looking for new dancers to join! Follow us for more information on Facebook and Instagram: Syrena Seattle.

MURAL STAGE

Time	Activity/Performance
12:30pm-12:45pm	Syrena (Łowicz) Syrena Seattle Traditional Polish Dance Ensemble is dedicated to promoting Polish culture and traditional folk dance in Seattle, Washington and beyond. The adult group meets regularly since September 2023. We want to represent our beautiful and rich culture, every chance we get! Our dancers teach public about the history and traditions of different regions of Poland through dance, songs and costumes. The group meets every Friday at 7pm at Polish Home Association’s upper hall. We are always looking for new dancers to join! Follow us for more information on Facebook and Instagram: Syrena Seattle.
12:55pm-1:25pm	Daniel Conrad Daniel Conrad is a Polish-American with a great singing voice. He has performed at Polish Festivals in San Diego, Phoenix, Orange County, and Las Vegas, as well as at the San Diego County Fair. Get ready for a repertoire of various Polish hits!
1:30pm-2:00pm	Polka Dance Contest
2:00pm-2:45pm	Sobótka The Polish dance group “Sobotka” was established and led by Elzbieta Szewczyk and Marek Stepien. Their primary goal is to teach the younger generation Polish culture through the art of dance. It is based in Portland, Oregon, and it meets at the Polish Saturday School. Currently, it includes several dance groups, a kindergarten group, a middle group and an adult group of parents, alumni and friends of Polish School.
2:50pm-3:10pm	Syrena (Krakowiak) Syrena Seattle Traditional Polish Dance Ensemble is dedicated to promoting Polish culture and traditional folk dance in Seattle, Washington and beyond. The adult group meets regularly since September 2023. We want to represent our beautiful and rich culture, every chance we get! Our dancers teach public about the history and traditions of different regions of Poland through dance, songs and costumes. The group meets every Friday at 7pm at Polish Home Association’s upper hall. We are always looking for new dancers to join! Follow us for more information on Facebook and Instagram: Syrena Seattle.
3:35pm-4:20pm	Vivat Biesiada!
4:30pm-4:45pm	Syrena (Śląsk) Syrena Seattle Traditional Polish Dance Ensemble is dedicated to promoting Polish culture and traditional folk dance in Seattle, Washington and beyond. The adult group meets regularly since September 2023. We want to represent our beautiful and rich culture, every chance we get! Our dancers teach public about the history and traditions of different regions of Poland through dance, songs and costumes. The group meets every Friday at 7pm at Polish Home Association’s upper hall. We are always looking for new dancers to join! Follow us for more information on Facebook and Instagram: Syrena Seattle.
4:45pm-7:00pm	Zabavva Band was formed in Portland, Oregon in 2020 with the specific goal to support and entertain the Polish Community in the Northwest. Ania (lead vocals), who grew up in Poland, and Mike (guitar), along with some of the community’s young, talented musicians play the most popular, memorable, and lively Polish music from the 20th and 21st Centuries.

EXHIBITS (ARMORY FLOOR & BALCONY)

ART FOR CHANGE
Special thanks to Krzysztof Poraj- Kuczewski

The exhibition presents socially and ecologically engaged posters created by professors and students from the Institute of Fine Arts at the University of Silesia in Katowice. Both ecological and socially engaged posters are a result of attentive observation of the contemporary world. Artists refer to the long tradition in the history of Polish poster art, in which posters dealing with health issues, addictions, pollution or anti-war images were very popular. Presented artworks result from a belief that the role of posters as an indicator of crucial social problems is still valid. Artists speak about issues that evoke their emotions, trying to make us reflect on our place in the world and our possible future(s).

SOLIDARNOŚĆ
Special thanks to the Mróz family

Starting as a trade union in 1980 in Gdańsk’s Lenin Shipyard and devoted to defending workers’ rights, Solidarność quickly grew into the biggest voluntary civic movement in Poland’s history. Hear stories from Kasia Mróz, and view fascinating archival materials collected by the late Andrzej Mróz, a community member who fought for Poland’s freedom from communism more than 35 years ago.

DISCOVERING POLAND

View Polish cities landmarks and experiences by local artist and creator, Basia Niesulowski, in a collection of oil pastels paintings from her recent travel through Poland.

FOOD (located outside at the Mural Amphitheatre)

Sponsored in part by Sebi’s Bistro and Koło Pań/Polish Women’s Club of the Polish Home Association, Seattle.

The Polish Festival Food Booth requires tickets, which can be purchased at the festival from the outdoor ticket booths. CASH & CREDIT CARD ARE ACCEPTED!
MENU:
- GIANT POLISH DOG
  served with caramelized onion and giant pickle
- BIGOS – HUNTER’S STEW
  slowly braised sauerkraut with meat roasts, bacon, onion, plums and wild mushrooms served with side of polish sausage and bread
- POLISH PLATTER – TASTE of POLAND
  Cabbage roll with tomato sauce, sausage, pierogi and side of sauerkraut salad
- PIEROGI MEAT or POTATO AND CHEESE
  Polish style dumplings filled with Potato and Cheese topped with onion or Meat topped with bacon served with side of sauerkraut salad
- NALEŚNIKI – CREPES
  filled with farmers cheese, topped with strawberry sauce and whipped cream

BEER GARDEN (located outside at the Mural Amphitheatre)

supplied by Browar Polska Inc., Seattle

The Beer Garden requires tickets, which can be purchased at the festival from the outdoor ticket booths. CASH & CREDIT CARD ARE ACCEPTED
Imported Polish beer including Żywiec, Okocim as well as selection of wines!

DESSERTS (located inside the Armory)

Sponsored in part by Warsztaty Kulinarne established by Teresa Vaisvila at Polish Home

Pączki (Polish doughnuts filled with confiture or other sweet filling) and a variety of pastries (cake with apples, plums, poppy seeds, cherries, rhubarb, Szarlotka, Stefanka, Black Forest, Serniki, Makowce, Rurki, Ptysie, Chrusciki).

View the 2024 highlights below

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OVERVIEW

Seattle Center Festál presents Polish Festival Seattle in partnership with Seattle Polish Foundation and Polish Home Association. The festival features authentic Polish food, live music, exhibits, merchants, vodka tasting, beer garden, workshops, and more.

HISTORY

Seattle Polish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It provides a place for Polish Americans to explore their heritage, share understanding, and build community.

Polish Festival Seattle was founded in 2012 and joined Festál.

DID YOU KNOW?

Over 125,000 residents of Washington State claim Polish ancestry and around 15,000 Poles live in the Seattle area.
“Sto Lat” or “One Hundred Years” is sung at nearly every celebration.
The symbol of Poland is a white eagle, and has been depicted wearing a crown or not, depending on the government and occupying nations of Poland throughout the country’s history.
Poles have won a total of 9 Nobel prizes including 2 Peace prizes, 5 in Literature 1 in physics and 1 in chemistry. Marie Curie Skłodowska is only woman who won 2 noble prizes in history.
Famous Poles include Frederic Chopin, Marie Curie, Nicholas Copernicus and Pope Jan Paweł II.
Traditional Polish folk art includes intricate paper cuttings (Wycinanki), colorful painted wooden figurines, and vibrant embroidery.
Traditional Polish dishes include pierogi (dumplings filled with various ingredients), bigos (hunter's stew), and kielbasa (sausage). Polish cuisine is known for its hearty and flavorful dishes, often incorporating cabbage, potatoes, and meat.
Polish traditions also include vibrant festivals such as Wianki (Midsummer Night’s Festival) and Święconka (Easter Sunday Blessing of the Baskets), where community members gather to celebrate with traditional foods, music, and customs. These events help to preserve and promote Polish culture and heritage within the diaspora.