Kujawiacy's History
Introduction
- Kujawiacy has always been governed by a strong Parent Organization. These parents put their heart, soul and hands to work in order for their children to represent Poland’s roots and culture. They are constantly working on new projects and ideas to further the excellent reputation that Kujawiacy has upheld for the last sixteen years, and which strives to continue for many years to come.
- Kujawiacy’s honoured past presidents include Beata Ostrowska, Krystyna Gabinet, Marian Glowik, Dorota Borowiec, Lucyna Sowa, and Urszula Kudła. Currently the Parent Organization is led by Grazyna Kacprzak. For fourteen years, Kujawiacy was privileged to have Jan Mielcarek as Artistic Director of the Ensemble. He contributed many hours of demanding work choreographing dances, as well as organizing different events to promote the dance group and its preservation of Polish culture.
- After the many dedicated years of work, Jan Mielcarek bestowed the role of Artistic Director to Agnieszka Gronek. Agnieszka has choreographed many beautiful dances for the Ensemble, and has enriched their repertoire.
- As of February 2008, Margaret Sowa has taken the role of Artistic Director and Choreographer of the Ensemble.
1992: Kujawiacy is formed
- The Kujawiacy Polish Song & Dance Ensemble formed in May of 1992, is working hard in developing authentic and artistic Polish Cultural Entertainment. Kujawiacy, meaning inhabitants of the Kujawy Region of Poland, was incorporated into Kitchener's multicultural entertainment scene, by a small group of youthful, optimistic, Canadians of Polish descent, eager to learn, cultivate, promote and preserve the folk traditions of their ancestors.
- Under the leadership of Beata Ostrowska, these individuals were the Executives of the Polish Language School in Kitchener. Under the direction of Jan Mielcarek, the Ensemble’s founding Artistic Director, the group formed a repertoire of original Polish songs and dances from various regions across Poland.
- This repertoire included the national dances of Polonez, Mazur, Krakowiak and Kujawiak Oberek. Over the past years, the Ensemble's membership has changed many times. Male members were hard to come by and to offset the shortage of boys, girls often danced dressed in boys’ costumes.
- At one time, the ensemble had a very vibrant adult choir which sang songs from the Silesia region, and was always a valued treasure to the group. This choir performed with Kujawaicy at many different performances and enhanced the artistic value of the ensemble’s performances.
- The Ensemble also had a group of dedicated musicians Irena Pawlik, Kari Pawlik, Grzegorz Glinka, Marta Melik, Wiktoria Melik and the unforgettable Jan Mielcarek on accordion. With the help of such professionals such as Andrzej Miciula, Tracey Vorroll, Mr. Jacobs, and Anna Grodzka the Ensemble was exposed to dances outside the Polish culture, mainly ballroom and Square Dance. This experience with other dance genres has inspired a love of all types of dance by the members, past and present.
1997: 5th Anniversary Concert
- The first major concert held by Kujawiacy was to celebrate the Ensemble’s fifth year of existence. The concert was held at University of Waterloo, and included guests Cracovia from London, Ontario, as well as neighbouring Polonez from Cambridge. These guest ensembles enhanced the group’s performance experience both on stage, and off, as the groups had previously performed at London’s well known dance festivals in Nilestown.
1999: International Polish Dance Festival
- In 1999, the Ensemble made its first significant journey overseas to perform in the very famous International Polish Folk Dance Festival in Rzeszow, Poland. This was one of the best experiences for the senior group, because after only seven years in existence, they were able to contend with veteran dance groups from all over the globe. The group is grateful for this opportunity to meet other dancers who share the same passion for preserving Polish Folklore as they do.
2000: Folklorama Festival
- The following year, Folklorama 2000 was held at the University of Waterloo’s theatre, with invited guests Podhale from Montreal and Tatry from Windsor. Under the Master of Ceremonies, Waclaw Bielawa, the afternoon program was a colourful and exciting display of Polish Dance.
- In May of 2000, Kujawiacy travelled to Montreal for the first time to attend Podhale’s 35th Anniversary celebrations. This same year, Kujawiacy sent Sylwia Glowik to her first year of the Choreography Course in Poland which was successful, and she choreographed a splendid Zywiec suite for the middle group that year.
- In April 2001 Kujawiacy welcomed to Kitchener a Polish group from Bialorus “Karolinka”. Kujawiacy and Karolinka gave a concert at the Polish Legion Hall. From that concert Kujawiacy donated a substantial $1500.00 to Karolinka to cover their travel expenses from Belarus to Canada.
- At the end of April, Kujawiacy travelled to Ottawa to host a Folklorama performance for people in Canada’s capital city.
2001: Polish Days & Children's Festival
- On May 28, 2001, Kujawiacy took part in the first “Polish Days” celebrations in Kitchener. All three groups within the Ensemble were involved in the parade, concert, and fashion show, showcasing Polish costumes and promoting Polish culture.
- On June 1, 2001 Kujawiacy hosted the first Children’s Folk Festival in MerryHill. Children’s groups Bialy Orzel in Toronto, Polonez from Cambridge Ont., and Potok from Brantford were invited to take part in the Festival. Following the children’s festival, Agnieszka Gabinet (now Gronek), Margaret Sowa and Marcin Dudkiewicz attended their first year of the Choreography Course in Rzeszow, accompanying Sylwia in her second year. Two new dances were added to the group’s repertoire Krakow Wschodni (choreographed by Agnieszka and Margaret) and Kurpie (choreographed by Marcin) increasing the artistic program of the Ensemble.
2002: Tenth Anniversary & Children's Festival
- On June 15, 2002, Kujawiacy celebrated its tenth anniversary, with a Ball held at the Polish Canadian Legion Branch #401 in Kitchener. Karl Zehr, the City of Kitchener’s mayor, along with other honoured guests from the Polish Community attended this celebration of Polish heritage through song and dance. Kujawiacy has always been invited to attend the Folk Festival in London, Ontario, and well as received invitations to perform all around Ontario, including Ottawa through its years of existence.
- In June of 2003, the City of Belleville, invited Kujawiacy to attend its Multicultural event to entertain a wide audience of on-lookers.
- In 2004, the annual Children’s Festival was held in MarryHill, with special guests Krakusy from Calgary. This group was welcomed warmly by the members of the group, as well as the public. We greatly appreciate their attendance to this event. In 2004, Marcin Dudkiewicz and Margaret Sowa successfully completed the Four-Year Choreography course in Rzeszow, Poland.
2005: Children's Festival
- In 2005, the Senior Group travelled overseas to participate in the Children's Festival in Zielona Gora, Poland. The group was successful in their performances, as well as winning a place in the hearts of the attendees of the festival. In the summer of 2006, the Senior group travelled to Winnipeg, Manitoba to participate in Folklorama, and had an amazing time dancing for the multicultural audience at the Polish Venue for the host group Sokol from Winnipeg.
- The members of the group not only had a enlightening experience on stage performing, but also got a taste of what living on the Praries was like. While the Senior group was in Winnipeg, the middle group travelled by bus to Montreal to participate in the Eighth “Fete D’Enfants” Festival. The middle group brought back with them not only wonderful memories of performing for such a large audience, but also the nostalgia that Montreal provides.
2007: Carousel Festival
- In 2007, Kujawiacy was invited to Windsor by Tatry, and performed on two separate occasions including the Carousel Festival. Kujawiacy also attended the Annual Festival in London, as well as performed in Mississauga.
- At the Legion’s Annual Veteran’s Day Banquet, Kujawiacy were invited to dance for the members of the Legion and other distinguished guests.