Taking over Federation Square, the Polish Festival will transform Melbourne’s central space into Little Warsaw.
With live musical performances, workshops, folkloric entertainment, dances and loads of entertainment, the Polish Festival is set to take over Federation Square for a full day of entertainment. It all happens next weekend, on Saturday November 12 for an 11am start, with the festivities raging all day until 6pm.
It’s all happening right in the heart of the city at Fed Square, which is easily reachable by tram and train. Recommend leaving your car at home though.
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Not only is this an opportunity for Polish people to embrace their roots without having to return to their homeland, it provides people from a range of cultural backgrounds with a glimpse at Polish tradition in order to foster a cultural understanding. Having survived against the odds in war, Poles are incredibly proud of their country and are humble and hospitable as such. There’s a special generosity here.
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The festival continues to grow year after year and regularly attracts over 50,000 people. It’s become Australia’s largest annual Polish not-for-profit community event which is a testament to the organisers who put together the event.
Magda Szubanski has been a special guest in the past. She appeared at the 2015 iteration alongside her book, Reckoning, which explored her Polish roots and the harrowing details of her father’s experience in Poland during WWII.
Volunteers play a huge part of the occasion as well – the Melbourne Polish community is made up of incredibly generous individuals giving their time to their heritage. Former president of Polish Festival Inc. and Order of Australia medal recipient, Jan Szuba, has been quintessential to the festival’s rise and once shared his thoughts on the importance of the event’s volunteers.
“The festival is without a doubt the largest annual Polish event in Australia and competes with other international events outside of Poland, a testament to the work of over 400 volunteers from the Melbourne Polish community.”
Find out more by heading here.
