Resolution
Whereas, In 1991 Marekand Ewa Kus founded the Lajkonik Polish Song & Dance Ensemble with a handful of enthusiastic students with the goal of promoting Polish folk songs and dances in Chicago and throughout the United States by showcasing artistic dances, passionate songs and colorful performances; and
Whereas, Lajkonik's five performing groups of over 100 dancers present a variety of national and regional Polish dances, which feature traditional dynamic steps and songs sung in the Polish language; and
Whereas, The Lajkonik, which describes a masquerading Tatar warrior on his horse, became a symbol of Poland's victory over the Tatars in 1241, and still plays an important role In the Krakowiak, the traditional dance ofthe people of Krakow; and
Whereas, Lajkonik belongs to the Holy Trinity Polish Mission in Chicago and is under the patronage of the Polish National Alliance Group 3241; and
Whereas, Lajkonik dancers have graced many stages including those of the Chicago Public Libraries, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Children's Museum, Daley Plaza, the Taste of Chicago, Millennium Park, Navy Pier and Polish Fest in Milwaukee, and Lajkonik has represented the Chicago Polish Community four times at the International Folk Dance Festival in Rzeszow, Poland; and
Whereas, The group aims to acquaint Polish Americans with the richness of their thousand year-old heritage, and to help build pride in Polish Americans through performances of their dances and songs, and the group also encourages other Americans to learn about and appreciate Polish culture and traditions; and
Whereas, The ensemble also promotes a broader goal of providing its youth and audiences with access to the arts at a time when schools and public organization are cutting their funding for these types of programs, and even though, as a folk dance ensemble, Lajkonik occupies a niche in the arts, its members are still educated in music, dance and theater - artistic skills that have universal applications; and
Whereas, On Sunday, May 29th, 2011, Lajkonik will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a Gala Concert at the Copernicus Cultural and Civic Center; and
Whereas, The anniversary concert will consist of over 100 children from five different age groups displaying folk songs, dances and costumes from various regions of Poland, interlaced with poetry, video and theatrical performances - all with the common theme of honoring Polish heritage and celebrating 20 years together; and
Whereas, Lajkonik is thrilled to commemorate two decades of promoting, preserving and celebrating Poland's vibrant cultural heritage, and is looking forward to celebrating
and perpetuating Poland's folk songs and dances for many generations to come; now, therefore
Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago gathered here this 13th day of April, 2011, do hereby express our most sincere congratulations to the Lajkonik Polish Song & Dance Ensemble on their 20th anniversary, extend our heartfelt gratitude for their contribution to Chicago's deeply-rooted Polish community, and look forward to the ensemble's many more years of dedicated service to our Great City.
Be It Further Resolved, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the Lajkonik Polish Song & Dance Ensemble.
Scott Waguespafikv' Alderman, 32nd Ward