Australia Dancing - Polish Dance in Australia

Polish Dance in Australia

Polish National Dance Group, 1950

Polish dance heritage has contributed significantly to Australian dance culture. From early colonial years, dances of Polish origin, such as the mazurka, were an influence on both social and stage dance. A more tangible impact came with the decision by a number of Polish dancers to remain in Australia after the Ballets Russes tours of the 1930s. Their expertise, and the subsequent founding of the Polish-Australian Ballet, influenced the development of classical ballet in this country.

Another important contribution has come through folkloric ensembles, generally established since the 1950s by Polish immigrants aiming to preserve and promote their culture. These groups have both contributed to and influenced Australian dance through their recreation of traditional Polish dance, music and cultural traditions. Some of the numerous folkloric ensembles established all around Australia in the last 50 years or so are listed below.

The earliest such folk dancing group may have been formed on the ship M S Fairsea during its voyage to Australia in 1949. Early ensembles to be formally established include Krakowiacy in Melbourne in 1950, Krakowiak in Geelong, Victoria, and Oberek, in Hobart, Tasmania, both founded in 1952.

In 1958, Michal Mordvinow in Adelaide founded the Polish Dance Group, which was renamed the Polish Folklore Ensemble Tatry in 1965. Henryk Duszynski was the artistic director of Tatry for thirty years. For a time the group was accompanied by the Polish Youth Orchestra and Lowiczanki choir, and much of the music for the ensemble was arranged by Tadeusz Mikucki.

Other early ensembles which, like Tatry, are still active today include Polonez in Melbourne, Syrenka in Sydney and Mazowsze in Western Australia. Polonez was founded in 1965 by Zbigniew Czech, with Janina Czech as artistic director. Many of its original members came from Zacheta, an ensemble that had formed following the dissolution of Krakowiak. Syrenka grew from a Folkloric Dance Group formed in 1968, and was officially established 1971. It performed its debut at the National Shell Folkloric Festival for the Opening of the Opera House in 1973. Mazowsze was established in 1970 by Longin Szymanski, and toured Western Australia and the Eastern States in the late 1970s with the support of the Australia Council.

In 1975, the Federation of Polish Women organised the first Pol-Art Festival in Sydney, culminating in a concert by folkloric groups at the Sydney Opera House. This sharing of Polish cultural heritage became an ongoing celebration, taking place every three years. Many ensembles that took part in the original 1975 festival have maintained their involvement. As new ensembles have been established, they have also participated in this important triennial event. Groups established around the time of the first Pol-Art Festival include Lowicz in Melbourne, formed in 1975, and Kujawy in Sydney, established in 1976. Canberra’s Wielkopolska Dance Group was initiated in 1981 by artistic director Krystyna Mikolajczak. Obertas in Brisbane was founded by its current choreographer Henryk Kurylewski in 1982, originally for the purpose of performing in the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. Other ensembles of note include Wesole Nutki (Melbourne) established in 1985, Lajkonik (Sydney) in1990, Kukuleczka (Perth) in1991 and Beskidy (Melbourne) in 1992.

Many Polish dance ensembles not only perform in local community celebrations, but also tour widely and take part in high-profile national events, such as the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. They receive significant community support, and are united in their endeavour to preserve traditional Polish dance and music.

Dance Nova, which was established in 1982 as Taniec Polish Dance Group, is an example of a company which, while having a wider focus than the recreation of traditional Polish dance forms, still brings the influence of Polish dance heritage to Australian dance culture. Dance Nova’s principal artists, Mark and Carmen Voynich, trained at the Polish National Ballet School. The company currently tours Australia with performances and teaching programs for primary schools, celebrating cross-cultural dance forms and promoting the spiritual, expressive, physical, relaxing and social benefits of dance.

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