A group of Lira Singers in authentic folk outfits from the Krakow region of Southern Poland.
“FOR YOU, POLAND”
A CONCERT CELEBRATING ONE THOUSAND YEARS
OF POLISH NATIONHOOD
The Lira Ensemble, which itself is celebrating its 60th anniversary, presents an entirely new production – a concert to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Polish Nationhood –
“FOR YOU, POLAND”
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2025 at 3pm
PRAIRIE LAKES THEATER
515 EAST THACKER ST. DES PLAINES, IL 60016
The Des Plaines concert commemorates the 1000th anniversary of the coronation of the first Polish King – Boleslaw Chrobry (Boleslaus the Brave) – back in the year1025. His coronation is considered to be the official beginning of Poland as a country.
The concert features Polish folk and court dances performed by the Lira Dancers in beautiful, historically correct period costumes and colorful folk outfits from various regions of Poland. Exciting and dramatic choreography is provided by Lira Ensemble Choreographer Iwona Puc.
The Lira Singers and The Lira Dancers
A quintet of Lira Singers will present Polish historic patriotic music as well as fun and exciting Polish and American folk music, appearing in colorful, authentic folk outfits from even more regions of Poland. The Singers will lead the audience in a sing-along of popular songs in Polish and English.
Men of the Lira Dancers dance in authentic folk outfits from Poland’s highland region.
The spotlight will also fall on the excellent Lira Chamber Players who will perform historic and folk music and will accompany both the Lira Dancers and Lira Singers.
As always, World-renowned Resident Conductor of the Lira Ensemble Mina Zikri will lead both the Chamber Players and Lira Singers, in works by prominent Polish composers, such as Karol Kurpinski, Wojciech Kilar and Romuald Twardowski.
Iwona Puc (left) with Lucyna Migala (right).
Lucyna Migala, who is co-founder, artistic director and general manager of the Lira Ensemble, will narrate the concert IN ENGLISH with her beloved, witty style.
In the past five years the Lira Ensemble has added Polish poetry with English translation to its concerts, to great acclaim. This “For You, Poland” concert will include an original poem commissioned by Lira and written specifically for this performance by
the Lira Ensemble’s Poet-in-Residence Iwona Puc, who also serves as choreographer/dance director and assistant artistic director.
No wonder the Chicago Tribune described Lira Ensemble concerts as an “ethnic extravaganza.”
This year, in addition to the Polish Nationhood Millennium, the Lira Ensemble is also commemorating its 60the anniversary, making this concert an even happier event. Lira is the nation’s only professional performing arts company specializing in Polish music, song and dance. The Ensemble has been artist-in-residence at Loyola University Chicago for the past 30 years.
The November 16th concert is supported in part by grants from the Consulate of the Republic of Poland, the Illinois Arts Council – a state agency, and the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union.
TICKETS for the Lira Ensemble’s “FOR YOU, POLAND” Concert
on Sunday, November 16, ,2025 at 3pm
at Prairie Lakes Theater, 515 East Thacker Street in Des Plaines, IL
are $45 for the Main Floor, $40 for the Mezzanine, $35 for the Balcony,
with Children’s Teens’ Tickets at only $15
and all CLERGY invited for FREE, with no tickets required.
TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED AT: polishconcerts.org
and at the door, just before the performance – or by calling 773-505-8731.
