Ethnic Cultures Focus Of United Nations Earth Day with performance of the Wianek Polish Folk Dance Company from Middle Village, NY

Individual artists and cultural groups presenting the traditions of various countries and ethnic groups are invited to participate in the program.  The event is held at the site of the 1939 and 1964 New York World’s Fairs in Flushing Meadows Park.

The Downstate New York Division of the Polish American Congress has been a major contributor to the agenda right from its inception.

This close relationship with the United Nations Association has been achieved through the efforts of Chet Szarejko, vice president of the Downstate Congress and chairman of its Political Activities Committee.

Because the children of the Wianek Polish Folk Dance Company from Middle Village, N.Y. became such a popular hit when they first performed on Earth Day, they continue to be invited each year for repeat performances.

Wianek was originally organized by Mr. Wojciech Wojciechowski as a dance group.  It has now added Izabella Kobus-Salkim as choral director to guide the children to include Polish folk songs in their repertoire.

“They captivated this year’s largely Asian audience with a medley of songs popularized so widely by the Mazowsze Folk Dance Company from Poland,” said Szarejko.

Also on the program were dancers from Mexico who performed an ancient Aztec dance, as well as a spectacular individual dancer from Bali, which is now a part of Indonesia.

The Consul General of Indonesia addressed the guests on the problem of global warming and industrial pollution for his country.  The Indonesian Consulate also provided traditional Balinese delicacies for the guests and performers.

What caught the interest of everyone there was the similarity of the Polish and Indonesian flags.  Both are half white and half red with Poland having red as its lower half and Indonesia just the opposite.

The children of the Wianek Polish Folk Dance Company take a bow following their performance at the 2013 Annual Earth Day Celebration sponsored by the United NationsAssociation. Photo by Polish American Congress Downstate NY Division.

Frank Milewski