On Saturday, December 17, the Friends of Polish Art (FPA) hosted its annual “Wigilia” (“Christmas Dinner”) at Polish Cultural Center in Troy, MI.
The “Wigilia” was once again (or for some, for the first time) a chance to experience some of the most cherished Polish Christmas traditions. Invocation and blessing of Oplatek and food by Fr. Bernard Witek and Ukrainian revenue Wladimir.
There was sharing of “opłatek” and wishing a Merry Christmas, health, wealth, and a happy New Year.
Anna Bankowska, a member of the Wigilia Committee, explained the Polish Christmas tradition.
A typical Polish “Wigilia” dinner is meatless, which was the case at Saturday’s event. Herring in cream and wine sauce, delicious fried fish, traditional pierogi, outstanding beet soup (barszcz), dry fruit compote, and other delicacies were served. Iwona Jedrzejaczak made delicious cheesecake and poppy seed cake.
It wouldn’t be a perfect “Wigilia” without kolędy (carols). Kolędy sang in Polish, Ukrainian, and English with musical accompaniment by Przemek Frączak. Special guests were Ukrainian women who sang Ukrainian, English, and Polish carols. All of us joined in singing carols.
Thank you to the Wigilia Committee – Iwona Jedrzejczak, Ann Bankowski, Frank Dmuchowski, Zofia Duniec-Dmuchowski, Rick Lapham, Brian Malski, and Stella Szczesny – for organizing a fantastic event with a family atmosphere.
Over 150 people enjoyed FPA Wigilia.
