Once again, the Polish & Slavic Center (CPS) proudly hosted the celebration of Polish Heritage Day in Brooklyn. During the ceremony, distinguished members of the Polish-American community and the Krakus Senior Center were honored for their dedication to promoting Polish culture and their lasting contributions to the Polish-American community.
Held in the CPS auditorium at 177 Kent Street, the event drew nearly 300 members of the Polish community, along with representatives of organizations such as the Piłsudski Institute of America and the Central Polish Supplementary Schools Council.
Local officials in attendance included State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, and Brooklyn Deputy Borough President Kim Council. The event’s honorary patron, Mateusz Sakowicz, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in New York, attended with his wife.
“We thank the New York elected officials for their presence today and for working with us in support of our community,” said Consul General Mateusz Sakowicz.
“I’m very happy to be here with you today to celebrate Polish Heritage Day. Greenpoint would not be what it is without all of you and without Polish heritage. It’s important to emphasize that,” said State Senator Kristen Gonzalez.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate. At a time when people try to divide us, it is especially important that we come together to celebrate what was and what is to be, and to think what it took to build this vibrant communities. Thank you to the Polish and Slavic Center and to each and everyone of you for your sacrifice in making Brooklyn a beautiful mosaic of cultures,” added Deputy Borough President Kim Council.
***
The celebration aimed to honor the rich cultural heritage and remarkable achievements of Polish immigrants and Polish-Americans who have contributed to the social, cultural, and economic life of Brooklyn, New York, and beyond. The event is part of the nationwide observance of October as Polish American Heritage Month in the United States.
Traditionally, the CPS Board of Directors selects honorees whose work has had a positive and lasting impact on the lives of Brooklyn and New York residents. Their dedication to the Polish community was recognized through proclamations and congratulatory letters from local officials.
This year, a citation from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso was presented to Marek Wójcicki – a well-known pharmacist at Markowa Apteka, health educator, and philanthropist supporting cultural events in the Polish community.
A citation from Assembly Member Emily Gallagher was awarded to Katarzyna Drucker – vocalist, conductor, cultural promoter, founder and president of the Theatre and Opera Society “THEOS”, and founder of the Dyngus Day Parade in Greenpoint.
A citation from City Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) was presented to Zosia Żeleska-Bobrowski – photojournalist documenting the cultural and political life of the Polish-American community and co-founder of the Polish-American Photographers’ Club.
A special recognition from State Senator Kristen Gonzalez was awarded to the Krakus Senior Center. “For 40 years, funded by the New York City Department for the Aging, Krakus has provided essential support for older New Yorkers, improving their quality of life through social services, educational, health, and cultural initiatives,” read the senatorial proclamation.
Senator Gonzalez also issued a citation for Artur Pustuła, Director of the Krakus Senior Center. “His compassion and understanding of the challenges faced by seniors have allowed the Center to grow and thrive, attracting new members each year and expanding its reach,” she noted.
“We congratulate all the honorees and thank you for your dedication. Thanks to your work, our ethnic community continues to flourish, and Polish heritage remains alive in Brooklyn and throughout New York,” said CPS Executive Director Agnieszka Granatowska.
***
The artistic portion of the evening featured a lineup of Polish-American performers affiliated with CPS. The choirs Hejnał, Jutrzenka, Angelus, and the Krakus Senior Center Choir performed beautifully, including the premiere of “Royal Polonaise” composed for the 1000th anniversary of the Polish State, “Cyt… Cyt…” arranged by Tadeusz Sygietyński, and “Uwierz Polsko” accompanied by Nicholas Kaponyas.
Solo performances were delivered by Katarzyna Drucker, who sang “Ave Maria” by Robert Prizeman, and Monika Chibowski, a talented young artist representing the new generation of Polish-Americans, who performed “Jest takie miejsce, jest taki kraj” (“There Is a Place, There Is a Country”).
The program also included vibrant folk performances by Krakowianki i Górale and the Polish-American Folk Dance Ensemble, who performed traditional Krakowiak and Polka dances. Both groups have been active on Greenpoint for over 85 years, preserving Polish folklore in the United States and passing it on to younger generations.
The evening concluded with a traditional Polish meal prepared by Lidia Laszko, Lucyna Fornal, and Danuta Holiczko from the Krakus Senior Center kitchen.
***
For many years, Polish Heritage Day celebrations were held at Brooklyn Borough Hall, but since 2023, the event has taken place in the beautifully renovated Polish & Slavic Center auditorium at 177 Kent Street, right in the heart of Greenpoint. The location is symbolic—CPS is the largest Polish-American cultural and social organization on the East Coast, serving thousands of immigrants from Poland and beyond for over 50 years.
“The Polish & Slavic Center has been doing excellent work for over five decades—organizing concerts, exhibitions, patriotic and historical events. It is a place that always feels like home for the Polish community. I wish you at least another 50 years of such remarkable work,” said Consul General Mateusz Sakowicz.
“Through its activities, the Polish & Slavic Center lays the foundation for future generations of Greenpoint residents and Polish-Americans. Thank you for your work and dedication to the local community. I am proud to support the Center’s mission,” said Senator Gonzalez.
Assembly Member Gallagher emphasized the Center’s role in preserving the Polish character of Greenpoint: “Greenpoint is the heart of the Polish-American community, and you keep that heart beating for Polish-Americans across the country. It’s an honor to serve you and to support the programs you offer,” she said.
The Polish Heritage Day celebration was organized by CPS in cooperation with numerous Polish-American organizations and with the generous support of sponsors, including the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, the Piłsudski Institute of America, Paweł Pachacz (President of the CPS Board of Directors), Artur Dybanowski (CPS Board Treasurer), and the Polish & Slavic Center itself.
Photos: Marcin Żurawicz
