I’ve found the best of Poland, right here in Australia

This tourism professional doesn’t have to go all the way to Poland to tap into his heritage - he's found thriving cultural events right around Australia.

Michal Zdanowicz is head of marketing for affordable hotel group YHA Australia, but it’s his love of Polish folk dancing that informs his travels.

“Growing up with Polish migrant parents, I initially started Polish folk dancing to reconnect with my heritage and culture,” he says.

Michal now travels all around the country to attend Polish folk festivals, as spectator and performer.

“Polish folk festivals aren’t just about dance, they’re a full-on celebration of Polish culture, with food, art and music,” he says.

“What I love most is the people I have met attending festivals and events across Australia and overseas. I call it my mini Slavic Rotary Club.” 

Michal Zdanowicz with Sydney group Syrenka at the Dozynki Festival in Adelaide.

Dozynki Harvest Festival, Adelaide

The Dozynki Harvest Festival is a massive Polish cultural event held every November in Adelaide. It feels like a mini Fringe Festival. It is held near the CBD, run by passionate volunteers and attracts tens of thousands of people. It’s become famous among the Adelaide and greater Australian Polish communities for its diversity of cultural celebrations including art exhibitions, countless food stalls, giant straw effigies for burning and a full line-up of music and performances.

National Multicultural Festival, Canberra

The National Multicultural Festival runs annually in February in Canberra. I’ve spent hours wandering the festival’s many precincts, performance stages and hundreds of stalls. It’s a true melting pot and a feast for the eyes. I always check the extensive events guide early at the festival and make sure I don’t miss the Polish folk dancers. I enjoy these in particular because of the storytelling aspect of the dances, usually about a boy and girl falling in love. The costumes are super colourful.

Pierogi (Polish dumplings) at the Polish Festival in Melbourne.

Polish Festival, Melbourne

The Polish Festival in Melbourne at Federation Square is always a highlight for me. The famous Polish beer garden is a blast, with live accordion music, cold drinks, and great vibes from midday. The festival takes over all of Fed Square and spills into Princes Walk along the Yarra River, creating a lively European summer atmosphere with the unmistakeable scent of Polish summer in the air. When the festival winds down all the participants, organisers and entourages meet at Beer Deluxe for the official after-party.

International Festival of Polish Folk Groups, Poland

Every three years, the southeastern Polish city of Rzeszow holds the International Festival of Polish Folk Groups. The vibe of the town is electric as you can imagine, with an extra 500 to 700 international folk dancers. I’ve been lucky enough to both watch and cheer on, and also to be in the middle of the parade in full folk costume dancing to music and drums.

Michal at the Rzeszow Polish Festival in Poland with his Perth Polish dance group.

Michal Zdanowicz’s travel highs and lows

Making memories

I recently travelled with my family to Port Elliot in South Australia. It has a quiet Byron Bay vibe with quirky shops and amazing café culture. We rode the historic Cockle Train to Victor Harbour and my mum, who is a massive fan of Princess Diana, sat in the same seat as Diana did in 1988.

Theft in the city

Almost a decade ago in Ho Chi Minh City, I took a scooter taxi after a night out. Fifteen minutes later, I was in a different part of the city being robbed at knifepoint by the scooter rider and another male. I was unharmed but tourist police tried to charge me $US100 to file a report.

Originally published as I’ve found the best of Poland, right here in Australia