Polish Festival @

Federation Square
Bringing a Taste of Poland to Melbourne

Sunday 20 November 2011

What do actress Magda Szubanski, tennis player Peter Luczak and science guru 'Doctor Karl'
Kruszelnicki have in common? You may never have guessed it 'til you noticed the giveaway Zs in
their surnames, but these celebrities, among many others, are all part of the large Polish diaspora
here in Australia. Poles constitute one of Australia's oldest ethnic communities – one early
representative, explorer Paul Strzeleczki, climbed and named our tallest mountain after his hero,
General Tadeusz Kosciuszko, who himself spent much of his life outside Poland helping the
Americans win the War of Independence. Whether in snowy Chicago or sunny Melbourne, Poles
have gone on to form an integral part of the colourful patchwork that makes today's multicultural
cities so exciting and interesting to live in.

It's not surprising that Polish people have come to Australia: the two nations have much in
common. Poles love a beer and a snag – known in Poland as piwo and kielbasa – and, like
Australians, have a proud history of fighting for freedom against tremendous odds. The Polish
Festival @ Federation Square, held on the third Sunday of every November, celebrates these
shared qualities and aims to give Melburnians a tantalising taste of that distant country whom it
often parallels. Hearty food and cold beverages are certainly on the agenda – not to mention
some decadent pleasures of the sugary variety – as well as hours of dancing and musical
performances, a huge range of unique merchandise, and even special entertainment for the kids
to make sure grown-ups aren't the only ones having fun.

After drawing crowds from all over Australia in 2010, the Polish Festival is now in its seventh year
with a host of exciting new elements in the mix for 2011. So if you haven't been yet, now's the year
to come and see what all the fuss is about – and enjoy a beer and snag in the sun, Polish-style!
About the Polish Festival @ Federation Square:

The Polish Festival @ Federation Square is a not-for-profit festival run under the auspices of the
Polish Community Council of Victoria Inc.

Now in its sixth year, the Polish Festival @ Federation Square is a major ethnic event on
Melbourne's calendar. For more information please visit www.polishfestival.com.au

About the Polish Community Council of Victoria Inc:

The Polish Community Council of Victoria Inc. was established in 1962 as the state's peak Polish
organization or federation of Victoria's Polish associations, organizations and individual grouping
of Polish migrants. The Council represents the concerns, needs, aspirations, achievements and
interest of the Polish community of Victoria. Its constituency through Victoria comprises over 40
Polish regional and special interest associations.

The role and functions of the Council could be summarised in terms of three key activities:

• Coordination and advocacy

• Information dissemination and exchange;
• Community welfare, relations and development.

For more information please visit www.pccv.org.au

For more Polish Festival @ Federation Square information or to arrange an interview,

please contact Mateusz Buczko.

M: 0434 191 112

E: mateusz_buczko@hotmail.com

The Blum Consulate General of the

Republic of Poland
Foundation in Sydney

Organising Committee of the Polish Festival @ Federation Square

A committee established by the GPO Box 1123 Telephone 03 9629 8277
Polish Community Council of Victoria Inc MELBOURNE VIC 3001 Fax 03 9629 8377
ABN: 53 793 599 879 www.polishfestival.com.au Email executive@pccv.org.au