History                                                                                                        Polish

For over 20 years, the Folk Dance Ensemble "Polonia" of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America from Chicago has been preserving and promoting Polish culture in the USA and abroad. The ensemble was founded in 1984 under the artistic direction of an internationally known Polish choreographer Celina Roznowska and her daughter Anna Krysinski. 

Today, the Northwest Center Traditional Polish Folk Dancers consists of 200 young singers and dancers ranging from age 3 to 25. Perhaps the most advanced and recognized Center’s ensembles lead by Cecylia Roznowski are "New Polonia" and "Polonia". The most of "Polonia" group are student. This group has very rich experience of participation in different folk festivals.

The goal of the Center is to pass on to the next generation the treasures of Polish folklore with its uniqueness, diversity, and power of expression. The Center's artistic repertoire includes melodies, songs, and dances from all regions of Poland: North and South, East and West as well as Polish national dances. The distinctive feature of the performances of Center of Polish Dance that separates it from other folk groups is the approach of the choreographer to maintain the authentic dance patterns of the Polish dances.

In the 20 years of activity of the Center, young singers and dancers have actively participated in the cultural and social life of the Polish and American society. Among the most popular are: Celebrate Poland at Navy Pier, Polish Heritage Month, Taste of Polonia, Copernicus Celebration at Adler Planetarium, Beginning of New Millennium Celebration at the Chicago Historical Society, Winter Wonderland Festival at Navy Pier, Celebrate Poland at Navy Pier, National Conference of the Early Childhood Educators at McCormick Place, Unity Day Celebration at O’Hare Airport, Passport to the World at Children’s Museum at Navy Pier, and St. Joseph’s Day Celebration. 

"Polonia" proudly took part in many festivals around the world and received a number of awards including the Gold Medal of "Wspolnota Polska" for promoting Polish culture, the main recognition – Festidanza CIOFF 2006 in Peru, and "Grand Prix" in the Euro Folk 2005 in Losenez, Bulgaria.

 In the past years our group has performed in the International Festivals of Culture - Puerto Rico (2007), CIOFF Festival in Anapolis (Brazil-2007), CIOFF Festidanza 2006 - Arequipa - Peru , Euro Folk - Losenez, Bulgaria (2005), Festival of Nations in Hungary (2004), Poland (2003, 2005), CIOFF Festival in I-LAN, Taiwan(2002), Israel (2000), Italy (1998), and many others in USA and Canada. “Polonia” Ensemble has been honored to perform for the Pope John Paul II twice, in Castel Gandolfo in July of 1998 and during His Holiness historic visit to the Holy Land in March of 2000.