Chicago Public Library Celebrates Polish American Heritage Month with Free Programs and Events

The celebration will feature Shanties and Sea Songs from the Baltic Sea, presented by the musical group Młynek, featuring Iwo Jankowski (acoustic guitar), Agnieszka Kirol (vocal), Marek Kalinowski (accordion), and Lukasz Widulinski (bass guitar). With a shared interest in sailing, this group of friends founded Młynek in 1998, and their love of sailing and the sea has remained a constant theme, which has influenced their music. This is a bilingual program.

Throughout Polish American Heritage Month, the Chicago Public Library will present a variety of entertaining programs for all ages. For a complete listing of programs, visit one of the 79 Chicago Public Library locations or the Chicago Public Library website at chicagopubliclibrary.org. Below are some highlights of the 2008 Polish American Heritage Month celebration in October:

The Beauty of Poland:

Lucyna Migala the organizer of countless tours of Poland will present a lecture with color slides highlighting the beauty of Poland.  She will offer not only colorful photos, but also cultural and historical insights into the changing architecture of Polish cities, as they rapidly modernize. 

Christmas Decorations/Ornaments with Lidia Walters:

Participants can make lovely Christmas decorations/ornaments for the holidays with folk artist Lidia Walters.  The presenter will provide all materials.

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Come Along to the Land of Polish Fairy Tales!

Children and families can imagination traveling to a magical world with actress and storyteller, Marzena Bukowska.  Using music and costumes, Ms. Bukowska entertains all with traditional Polish fairy tales.

Let’s Polka!

Enjoy a variety of Polka tunes by Eddie Korosa Jr. and the Boys from Illinois.  This internationally known group has played for dignitaries such as Pope John Paul II and has appeared with Bobby Vinton and Frank Yankovic.

Making Polish Pastries:

Ms. Bogna Solak of Oak Mill Bakery will demonstrate the tasty art of making Polish style pastry. Tasting will follow.

Additionally, a bibliography of books about Polish Americans throughout history will be available at all Library branches and on the Library’s website at chicagopubliclibrary.org throughout the year. The annotated bibliography will include works by well-known authors, as well as a complete listing of favorite and new children’s authors.

Now celebrating its 135th year, the Chicago Public Library continues to encourage lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through materials, programs and cutting-edge technology. 

The Chicago Public Library is comprised of the Harold Washington Library Center, two regional libraries and 76 neighborhood branches.  All locations provide free access to a rich collection of books, DVDs, audio books and music; the Internet and WiFi; sophisticated research databases, many of which can be accessed from a home or office computer; newspapers and magazines; and continue to serve as cultural centers, presenting the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults. 

The Harold Washington Library Center, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library and Conrad Sulzer Regional Library are open 7 days a week, the remaining 76 branch libraries are open 6 days a week and patrons can access all of the libraries’ collections online 24 hours a day.  For more information, please visit the website at chicagopubliclibrary.org or call the Chicago Public Library Press Office at (312) 747-4050.