Polish Living History Part of Polish Day Festivities

Mike Ostrowski likes a Polish festival as much as next guy. Polkas, pierogi and piwo are all favorites. But the metro Detroit native brings another flavor to the event when he and his friends attend events throughout the Midwest and East Coast: the Battle of Vienna.
 
Ostrowski is a historical reenactor. Historical reenactment is an educational activity in which participants attempt to recreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This “living history” may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle or as broad as an entire period. 
 
An extremely popular activity in heavy Civil War battle areas like Gettysburg, PA and Manassas, VA, it is certainly not as common to find men and women reenacting 16th Century Polish Battles.
 
Ostrowski is part of only a handful of military formations that are affiliates of the Sienkiewicz Society's Living History Project. Founded in Metro Washington, DC, the group has regiments in 10 states but, until this year, has never participated in an event in Ohio.
 
“We have a number of young people within our Polish community that are fascinated with this period of our strong Polish history,” says Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer, director of PolishYoungstown, hosts of the annual Polish Heritage Day celebration. 
 
Cika points out the contribution of Polish culture and arms to modern civilization are not well known. And the innovative role played by the artillery in its armies is virtually a secret since most American’s are not well versed in European history. The goal of these living history groups, in all of their authentic costumes and military gear, is to correct this omission and introduce young people to polish history. 
 
"“It is our hope that Mike's participation this year will help us to not only attract reenactors for a battle on site next year, but also to perhaps instigate the beginning of our own regiment here in the Mahoning Valley."
 
Most reenactors are amateurs who pursue reenactment as a hobby. Participants within this hobby are extremely diverse. The ages of participants range from young children whose parents bring them along to events, to the elderly. Among adult participants, people from all different walks of life can be found – college students, firefighters, lawyers, members of the armed forces, doctors, and even professional historians.

Reasons given for participating vary. Some participants are interested in getting a historical perspective on a particular period or war, particularly if they can trace their ancestry back to an individual or individuals who were involved. Others participate for the escapism that such events offer.

Mike Ostrowski.

Who are the Hussars?
The Polish Hussars were the main type of cavalry of the first Polish Army between the 16th and 18th centuries. They were widely regarded as one of the most powerful cavalry formations in the world. Polish Hussars were undefeated in battle for more than 100 years.
 
The hussars were famous for their huge 'wings', a wooden frame carrying usually eagle, but sometimes ostrich, swan or goose feathers. Wings were originally attached to the saddle and later to the back. 
 
There are many theories as to why they wore the wings. Some say it because they made a loud, clattering noise which made it seem like the cavalry was much larger than it was in reality. Others believe it was sympathetic magic, a belief of that their horses would go faster if bearing some form of wings. Some historians also speculate it was a form of psychological warfare that was intimidating to enemies to have such a strange look.
 
All of these theories were questioned in the 1970. While creating a film adaptation of the Polish historical novel, The Deluge, it was discovered that the wings attached to the riders' back almost threw them out of their saddles when their horses went faster than a trot. When attached to the saddle they slowed down the horse greatly. So it is the thought is now that probably the wings were used only for parades and other special occasions, but probably never in battle.
 
The Polish-Lithuanian type hussar are well known in Polish history as the Royal Guard of the famous elected king of Poland and grand duke of Lithuania Stephen Bathory in the 1570s. They were an elite branch of the cavalry in the Polish-Lithuanian army from the 1570s until 1776. Most were recruited from the wealthier Polish and Lithuanian nobility (szlachta). Batory made hussars a heavy battle formation, equipped with a long lance as their main weapon. 
 
Between the Battle of Lubiszew in 1577 and the Battle of Vienna in 1683 is considered the 'Golden Age' of the husaria. The unit’s hussars fought many actions against several enemies, most of which they won.
 
The 4th annual Polish Heritage Day Celebration on Sunday August 28th 2011. The event will take place at St. Anne’s Church, 4310 Kirk Road, Youngstown, Ohio from 11:30- 8 PM starting with Catholic mass lead by Rev. John Keehner from St. Casimir and Columba Cathedral with the St. Casimir Choir and other priests from around diocese. Admission is $5 for adults, children 12 and under are free.
 
Polish Day celebrates all things Polish and will feature two polka bands, folk art vendors, Polish language and cultural workshops as well as festival favorites like a basket auction, door prizes and 50/50 raffles.
 
 A special performance by the Krakowiaki Polish Folk Circle will take the audience on a Heritage Tour of Poland, highlighting the history, songs and dances of the native homes of the dancer’s relatives. 
 
The highlight for most attendees is the 2-lb Polish platter featuring stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, cabbage and noodles, pierogi and more. A bakery and deli are also available full of hand-baked goodies to take home.  
 
If that isn’t enough for you, sign up to participate in the 2nd Annual Pierogi Eating Contest. The goal is to see how many delicious buttered dumplings you can eat in three minutes. There is an entry fee of $10 with each contestant receiving a pierogi T-shirt. First, second, and third place cash and other prizes will be awarded.  Celebrity judges include WYTV’s Stan Boney, TV Host Casey Malone and Attorney Jay Macejko.
 
To give an advanced look at this colorful event the event’s host, PolishYoungstown, has launched an informational event website off of its homepage: www.polishyoungstown.org

Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer
Director, PolishYoungstown
Your source for all things Polish in the Mahoning Valley
P.O. Box 684 Youngstown, OH 44501-0684
www.polishyoungstown.com
Cell: 330-646-4082
Check us out on Facebook: PolishYoungstown
Follow me on Twitter: @PYTown