For over 35 years, Polonia Ensemble of the PRCUA from Chicago, Illinois 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 Rożnowska and her daughter Anna Krysinski. Mieczysław Dziś, the multi-instrumentalist continuously leads the ensemble as the music and cho
ral director. Today, the ensemble consists of 120 young singers and dancers ranging from age 3 to 33 and five groups; "Little Elves/Krasnoludki", "Little Polonia/Mała Polonia", "Middle Polonia/Średnia Polonia", "Young Polonia/Młoda Polonia" and "Polonia". The goal of Polonia Ensemble is to pass on to the next generation the treasures of Polish folklore with its uniqueness, diversity, and power of expression. The ensemble's artistic repertoire includes melodies, songs, and dances from all regions of Poland as well as Polish national dances. Polonia Ensemble has participated in over 29 international folk festivals all over the world. The most memorable performance was in 1998, for the late Pope John Paul II in his private residency in Italy. Some of the most popular events include: 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’s current artistic team of instructors and choreographers include: Jaclyn Krysinski, Nicole Romek, Magdalena Rożko, Emilia Wójciak, Nina Romek and Andrzej Kraśnicki. In the past years our group has performed in the following international festivals:
2019 - Italy & Rzeszow, Poland
2018 - Alberta, Canada
2017 - Rzeszow, Poland & Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia
2016 - Indonesia
2015 - San Juan, Costa Rica
2014 - Zakynthos, Greek & Rzeszów, Poland
2013 - Jacmel, Haiti
2012 - Luoyang International Cultural Tourism Festival, China
2012 - VIII International Children's Festival in Iwonicz Zdroj, Poland
2011 - France Tour
2011 - XV International Folk Dance Festival in Rzeszow, Poland
2010 - # # FESTIVAL FOLCLÓRICO de Ibaque, Colombia, CIOFF
2010 - Festival Folclórico Internacional de Cartagena, Colombia, CIOFF
2010 - Polonia Folk Fest 2010, Toronto, Canada
2009 - V International Folklore Festival "Paz y Cultura para el Mundo", Ibarra, Ecuador
2008 - XXIII International Folklore Festival “Ponte do Mouro and Alvarinho”, Portugal, CIOFF
2008 - IX Muestra Folclorica, Villa de Villacastin, Spain
2008 - Festivals in Sarria, Portomarín, Caldas De Resis in Galicia, Spain
2008 - XIV International Folk Dance Festival in Rzeszow, Poland
2007 - International Festivals of Culture - Puerto Rico
2007 - Festival in Anapolis, Brazil, CIOFF
2006 - XXIV International Festival of Folkloric Dances Festidanza, Arequipa - Peru, CIOFF
2005 - Euro Folk - Losenez, Bulgaria
2005 - XI International Folk Festival in Brusy, Poland, CIOFF
2004 - Festival of Nations in Hungary (2004)
2003 - VII International Children's Festival in Iwonicz Zdroj, Poland
2002 - Festival in I-LAN, Taiwan, CIOFF
2000 - Israel
1998 - Italy
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.
