The great Polish composer Frederick Chopin intended the Polonaise dance to showcase Poland’s magnificent and turbulent past; it was his dream of a powerful, victorious and prosperous country. That splendorous dream became a reality January 27, Saturday night at the 35th annual International Polonaise Ball at the historic Surf Club on Miami Beach. The American Institute of Polish Culture (AIPC) organized the event under the auspices of the Ambassador of Poland to the United States.

The theme for the evening’s gala was a tribute to America’s first permanent settlement, Jamestown, VA (1607), on its 400th anniversary. An eclectic crowd of elegant ladies and gentlemen from around the world attended the gala. They learned about the critical contribution made to the settlement by an extraordinary contingent of Polish pioneers who sailed to the colony with Captain John Smith in 1608.

Poles brought their skills, thrift and industries to Jamestown. They dug a well of sweet water, set up a sawmill, made tar from pinewood and supervised potash production, which brought better housing to Jamestown. Polish pioneers built the first glasshouse producing glass, bottles, jugs and beads. Native American women brought grain to trade for glass trinkets. The Poles were responsible for the first strike in America for equal rights which they were granted.

Countess Barbara Pagowska-Cooper of Chicago and Lady Blanka Rosenstiel the Founder and President of AIPC and the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland were the chairpersons of the Ball which started with a Polonaise dance by the distinguished guests. The President of Poland, President Bush, along with Senators, Congressman and other statesmen, sent letters and messages of congratulations and acknowledgement of Poland’s achievements. The Ball also honored the Native American contribution and highlighted the cooperation between them and the first Poles.

Mrs. Lynne Olson and Mr. Stanley Cloud, Prof. Thaddeus Piotrowski and Mr. James Conroyd Martin, who are American authors of bestselling books about Polish history and culture, received American Institute of Polish Culture Gold Medals at the ball.

The Ball’s artistic program included a 10-piece Frank Hubbell Orchestra and performances by the Polish American Folk Dance Company of New York and the Canadian Native American dance group- Kehewin family Cree Nation.

By Charles Dundee and Beata Paszyc