On behalf of Governor Rick Perry’s staff, it is my honor to invite you to “Dzień Polski” Polish Day at the State Capitol on Friday, September 26 in Austin, Texas beginning at 12 noon. This event is open to the public so everyone and anyone interested in helping us celebrate “Dzień Polski” is invited to attend and participate.
There will be two performances representing the Polish community and the performances will be in the capitol rotunda. Tekla Klebetnica, winners of “Mam Talent” from Poland and Wawel Dance Group from Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church in Houston, Texas will be performing beginning at 12 noon in the capitol, but I am asking everyone to be in attendance by 11:00 a.m. They will perform until 1:15 p.m. and following the two performances, there will be a short program recognizing the Texas Polish communities/organizations in attendance, the performers and the Polish Consul.
We are asking everyone that has a Polish Folk Costume to please wear this for “Dzień Polski” with pride representing your culture and heritage. If you do not have a Polish costume, a white blouse/shirt with a red necklace/ribbon will be very nice as well. Also, bring a banner representing your church, organization and/or festival. Following the event, we will take a group photo on the South steps of the capitol building. Your assistance in letting me know in advance if your church, organization or festival will be in attendance so that I may provide recognition to your group that day would be most helpful.
To my knowledge, this will be the first time the Polish community will be recognized in the Texas state capitol since the first Polish immigrants came to Texas in 1854. Your help in promoting this event would be greatly appreciated. The capitol is located at 1100 Congress Ave in Austin, TX and you may park in the capitol visitors parking garage located on East 12th Street. The telephone number for the garage is (512-463-5495). Please try and be present at least one hour before the first performance.
We are very excited about this opportunity and extend our gratitude to Texas Governor Rick Perry! Please help us make this an event that our ancestors would be proud of because they too helped make this state the greatest state in the union, “Texas”!
More photos of the featured entertainers:
Tekla Klebetnica’s 2013 visit to Texas and Wawel dance group
Jim Mazurkiewicz is a Texas native whose family originally settled in Washington County, Texas at the turn of the twentieth century. His family still owns and operates the family farm in Chappell Hill. He graduated from Waller High School and received a B.S. and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and a Masters from Texas Tech University. Dr Jim is currently a Professor and Extension Specialist for Leadership Programs as TALL Director for Texas AgriLife Extension a member of The Texas A&M System and its statewide Agriculture Program. Jim takes great pride in his Polish heritage and plays Polish music on his concertina accordion.