SEPTEMBER IS
NOVA SCOTIA POLISH HERITAGE MONTH!
#WitamyNS (“Witamy” means welcome)
2022 theme: Hospitality / Gościnność
Click here to download the poster!
THROUGHOUT THE MONTH:
“One Minute Polish Podcast” – segments on Nova Scotia Polish Heritage Month. The Coast Radio – Weekdays at 3:50 and 7:50 p.m. FM 89.7 in the CBRM.
Visit the Glace Bay Library for a free Polish “imieniny” (name day) greeting card (while supplies last) – and learn more about how you can extend greetings to a friend on their “name day”.
Beaton Institute (Cape Breton University) Polish Community Collage Project. During the Month, please submit a photo of your grandparents and a short description. These will become part of a beautiful, professionally designed display: [email protected]; 902-563-1690.
“Moja Polska” creative contest: www.facebook.com/PolskaNS
Flavor Restaurants – special Polish selection at each Cape Breton location
The Good Food Bus (Cape Breton) – free Polish recipe cards – nutritious Polish dishes
Special display at the Baddeck Library.
Free raffle tickets at selected events throughout the month – basket of books by Polish Nova Scotian authors.
DAY-BY-DAY
Thurs., Sept. 1: Release of Nova Scotia Polish Heritage Month video by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, the Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc.
Thurs., Sept. 1, at sunrise, 6:15 a.m.: Short sunrise service to pray for peace, to pray for the deceased, and release doves – on the 83rd anniversary of the invasion of Poland and the start of World War II. Grotto (lawn) of St. Mary’s Polish Church, Whitney Pier. (We will move inside if raining.)
Sat., Sept. 3 — 12 noon.: Wreath-laying at the Polish Emigration Memorial Monument, Pier 21, Halifax.
Wed., Sept. 7: Column in the Cape Breton Post about a courageous Polish journalist and author for our times, Krystyna Kurczab Redlich.
Thurs., Sept. 8: Release of a special poster: Book recommendations for Nova Scotia Polish Heritage Month – 30 must-read books, in English, by Polish, Polish Canadian, and Polish Nova Scotian authors (multiple genres). Click here to view and download the poster.
Sat., Sept. 10 — 12 noon: Polish picnic, Blomidon Provincial Park. Please RSVP to [email protected] .
Sun., Sept. 11 — 9:30 a.m.: 109th anniversary Mass at St. Mary’s Polish Church in Whitney Pier / Blessing at 10:20 a.m. of the future Twin City Pocket Park (in honour of Wałbrzych, Poland – twin city of the CBRM) – corner of Victoria Road and Franklin St. / followed by Polish Café at the Polish Village Hall, 972 Victoria Road.
*At the Polish Café on Sept. 11, we will have the unveiling of beautiful decorative front vehicle plates saying: “POLONIA”. $25, with profits to Ukrainian humanitarian assistance.
Thurs, Sept. 15 – 6 p.m.: Celebrating the late Johnny Paruch, featured artist for 2022 Nova Scotia Polish Heritage Month – Polish Village Hall, Whitney Pier. Presentation and reception. Music, display, and hospitality. Hosted by Pogoria Polish Folk Ensemble and St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society, with assistance from the Beaton Institute. Free of charge, but space is limited and advance RSVP is requested to [email protected] or [email protected].
Sat., Sept. 17 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Halifax Central Library Polish Day. Food, workshops, crafts, cultural demonstrations.
Sat., Sept. 24 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Polish take-out meals at St. Mary’s Polish Church. $15. Tickets must be purchased in advance: 902-563-1226; [email protected] Tours of the church / Display at the church on the life and musical achievements of the late Johnny Paruch. This event has been moved to Oct. 1 due to Hurricane Fiona.
Sat., Sept. 24 – 1:30 to 4 p.m.: Colouring contest event, Glace Bay Library in collaboration with CBU Tompkins Institute, using The Polish Cape Bretoners Colouring Book (illustrations by Jeff Wilson). Location: Glace Bay Library. Prizes and refreshments. Open to people of all ages. Please register in advance: 902-849-8657 or [email protected] .
Sun., Sept. 25 – Students at Father Greg MacLeod House will welcome St. Mary’s Polish Parish during NS Polish Heritage Month (the parish was one of the founding donors to establish the Father Greg MacLeod House in 2021).
PLEASE NOTE: Polish Heritage Month activities for September 26-29 will be rescheduled due to the power outages, clean-up and recovery from Hurricane Fiona. We’re grateful to anyone in the area of the Polish Village Hall in Whitney Pier who can drop off, at the hall’s Food Cupboard, ready-to-consume non-perishables that do not require heat/power. Many thanks to everyone working to restore power and infrastructure and helping neighbours!
Mon., Sept 26 – 10:15 a.m.: Beaton Institute (Cape Breton University) public information session – Polish summer school experience and bursaries – Angelus Silesius University in Wałbrzych (sister city of the CBRM). Info/registration: [email protected] or [email protected].
Wed., Sept. 26 – 2 p.m. Polish Recipe Roundtable / plus beautiful free posters on recommended books (in English) for Nova Scotia Polish Heritage Month, Polish Village Hall, 972 Victoria Rd. Whitney Pier, Sydney. All welcome.
Tues., Sept. 27 – Polish cooking and craft after-school workshop at Whitney Pier Boys and Girls Club.
Thurs., Sept. 29, – 8 p.m. (until 9 p.m.) St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society on-line lecture for St. Michael’s Day: “Greening the Polish Village Hall” – Dean Chalmers, Renewable Energy Manager, Verschuren Centre. Discussion of the solar project and revitalization of the Polish Village Hall. For a Zoom link, please e-mail [email protected]
Fri., Sept. 30 – No scheduled events so that we can recognize and honour National Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Sat., Oct. 1 (storm date for event from Sept. 24) – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Polish take-out meals at St. Mary’s Polish Church. $15. Tickets must be purchased in advance: 902-563-1226; [email protected] Tours of the church / Display at the church on the life and musical achievements of the late Johnny Paruch.
*For regular updates during NS Polish Heritage Month, please check out the Facebook pages of St. Mary’s Polish Parish (in Whitney Pier), the Polish Village Hall (St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society), the Polish Canadian Society of Nova Scotia (in Halifax), and the Atlantic Canada District of the Canadian Polish Congress.