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Always glad to pass along stories and info on BFA friends the Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble.
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Several families of the Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble gathered on Friday, December 18th for their annual Wigilia, or Christmas vigil supper. Approximately 80 people were in attendance to enjoy the meal of fun and fellowship.
The Wigilia began with Father David Bialkowski of St. John Gualbert RC Church in Cheektowaga, NY giving a blessing and then singing “Dzisiaj w Betlejem” (“Today in Bethlehem”). The group then shared the Polish Christmas wafer, known as oplatek. The breaking of bread, which traditionally occurs on Christmas Eve, shows unity between all members of the family, friends and neighbors. Even absent members of the family receive oplatek in the mail as a sign of their communion with loved ones at home. After the group shared the wafer and good wishes with one another, the banquet began. The food contained no meat – another Polish tradition during the Advent season of fasting and anticipation.
At the commencement of the meal, election ballots were handed out and Harmony members voted for their 2010 officers. In the upcoming year, the Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble will have the following officers: Michael Szukala, president; Krysia Abramo, vice president; Jen Voll, treasurer; Lynn Danks, secretary; and Manya Pawlak-Metzler, artistic director.
When voting had ended, many of Harmony’s members shared their talents in a little variety show, with singing, dancing, skits and musical instruments. The atmosphere was festive and everyone had a great time.
Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble’s mission is to promote and sustain Polish heritage within the family, through study and performance of the traditional folk dances of Poland and cultural enrichment sessions. They are a family-oriented ensemble spanning several generations. Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble is not just about dancing, but passing on the honored traditions of our Polish heritage to all our children.
Harmony is Western New York’s largest Polish-American cultural and dance ensemble. The ensemble is a member of the Polish Folk Dance Association of the Americas and a proud charter member of the Dyngus Day Buffalo organization as well. Harmony performs in both private and community events of all kinds throughout the year.
For more information or to book a performance, visit http://www.harmonypfe.org or please call Krys Abramo at (716) 228-8256 or Manya Pawlak-Metzler at (716) 875-2030.
