Local Polish community commemorates Poland’s roots

Holy Trinity Parish was filled with Windsor’s Polish community celebrating the establishment of their country 1050 years ago on April 9.

The event featured students with a Polish background reciting poems about their history and appreciation for their native country.

Kenata Gallo, a language teacher at Holy Trinity said the country has a rich history.

“1050 years ago, our country became Christianized by our first Polish king, Bolesław I Wielki,” said Gallo. “Today, we would like to celebrate that moment and we would like to show our kids our faith and that we’re still citizens of two countries, Canada and Poland.”

More than 100 people from the Polish Community participated in the event. Gallo said they celebrate the event every year. She said they bring their children with them to the event to teach them about the history of their native country. She she also said it is important for their children to know where their parents came from.

According to Gallo, Poland’s history comes from the immigration of Slavs who established Poland in 966 A.D. Now, more than 38 million people reside in Poland.

Daria Jagielski, one of the participants in the poem recital, said she practiced the poem with her parents several times a day over the course of a few weeks. “The meaning of my poem is to know about our country and that everyone will know my background is Polish. It says how much we like Poland and we’re proud of that,” said Jagielski.

According to the National Household Survey, as of 2011 the Polish community in Windsor stands at 2,635 people and continues to grow.