THE PNA YOUTH FESTIVAL 2007

West Hartford, Connecticut - The Polish National Alliance Educational Department hosted the PNA Youth Festival on Friday and Saturday, July 20 and 21, 2007, at St. Joseph's College in West Hartford, Connecticut. The event was chaired by Vice President Teresa N. Abick.

The festival was started in 1970 at Alliance College where many groups gathered together for the first time to showcase their talents of the the Polish Dances and to share fraternalism and friendship. The PNA Jamboree was an event that has been held every four years since that time and was held at Alliance College until it closed in the late 1980's. It was also held at Niles College, in Niles, Illinois, Orchard Lake Seminary, in Orchard Lake, Michigan and Benedictine Academy in Lisle, Illinois.

The travel participants had traveled from all over the United States to West Hartford on Thursday and were registered by the staff of St. Joseph's College for their room assignments provided on the campus grounds. The reunion of friendships was the true meaning of PNA Fraternalism as the groups caught up with each other during the day.

The PNA Youth Festival of 2007 gathered many Polish Folk Dance Groups from all over the United States and performed various dances from different regions of Poland. The colorful costumes, harmonized singing and the traditional folk music could make one feel that you were in the region of Poland where the dance originated.

Friday the "Dancefest" program was held at the outdoor tent. The opening program began after the hearty breakfast at 9:30 a.m. Each group was allotted 20 minute for their program. At 12:00 noon the performances took a recess while the performers and guests had lunch. The final group performed that afternoon at 5:00 p.m. There were representatives from the Polish National Alliance Youth Camp of Council 62 Camp Stanica, Richard Knurek (President) and Genia Zapala (Vice President). A booth of Polish food sponsored by a local vendor was available for all to enjoy consisting of potato pancakes, nalasniki, pierogi, and goląbki, m-m-m good!

The groups that attended and performed included: Polanie of Emilia Plater Polish School; Lasowiacy Song and Dance Ensemble; Małe Wici 6; Wici Group 8; Krakusy Song and Dance Ensemble; Polish Alliance Dancers; Polanie Song and Dance Ensemble of Michigan; PNA Centennial Dancers; Erie Polish Folk Dancers; Małe Wici Group 7; Wici Song and Dance Company; Wawel Song and Dance Ensemble; Polanie Song and Dance Ensemble of California; Krakowiaki Dancers; Mały Lajkonik; and Lajkonik Song and Dance Ensemble.

Saturday evening was the Gala Performance held at the Hoffman Auditorium. Each of the groups performed their finest dance to the packed auditorium. Special guest attending included; PNA Vice Censor Edward Danielczuk, PNA Directors Irene Grabowy, Teresa Sherman and Allan Szuflada, PNA Commissioners Grazyna Krupa (District 2) Barbara Martin (District 10) and Newly Elected Commissioner of District 2 George Yasensky.

Vice President Teresa Abick presented awards to all the dance groups participating. In her closing remarks, she thanked the following people who assisted to make the PNA Youth Festival a success. They include Director Irene Grabowy, Commissioner Grazyna Krupa, Commissioner Barbara Martin, Sherry Cauchon, Wanda Penar, Mary Srodon, Ray Vargas, Bettyann Janelle and the staff St. Joseph's College.

Story by: Robert M. Jadach
Photos by: Mary Srodon

PHOTOS - CLICK ON TITLE BELOW TO GO TO VIEW

FRIDAY "DANCEFEST"

SATURDAY - GALA PERFORMANCE

DANCE GROUPS PARTICIPATING