Above: Courtesy of the Polish Museum of America in Chicago. Merry Christmas! Wesołych Świąt!
President’s Christmas Message
Starting in early December through about the middle of January, members of various Polish clubs and associations throughout the United States gather to observe a custom dear to Poles everywhere. Some stage elaborate Wigilia dinners in elegant venues, others meet in simpler surroundings for singing of kolędy, the Polish Christmas carols, and partaking of some traditional delicacies. The central activity, indeed, the main point of these gathering is the sharing of opłatek, a wafer symbolizing unity, reconciliation and forgiveness, friendship and love. These public celebrations, attended by many, are a reflection of more intimate gatherings of families and closest friends around the table at home on December 24, the Vigil or Wigilia on the Eve before Christmas.
During this holiday season, as we observe our age old Polish traditions and share them, as is our mission, with the greater community, I extend my best wishes to our members, friends, fellow Polish organizations, Poles wherever they may be, and to all who break the bread of opłatek in the spirit of friendship and peace. Have a joyous Christmas and the coming year full of happiness, health, and good fortune.
Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia oraz szczęścia, zdrowia i wszelkiej pomyślności w Nowym Roku.
Celia Larkin, President ACPC
ACPC affiliates and supporting organizations
We invite you to add your organization’s name to this distinguished list of affiliates and supporting organizations.
- American Institute of Polish Culture, Miami, Florida **
- American Polish Cultural Society, Troy, Michigan **
- Austin Polish Society, Austin, Texas **
- Chicago Chopin Society, Chicago, Illinois *
- Chopin Fine Arts Club of South Bend, Indiana *
- Friends of John Paul II Foundation, Washington, DC **
- Friends of Polish Art, Detroit, Michigan *
- Kashubian Cultural Institute & Polish Museum, Winona, Minnesota **
- Kopernik Memorial Association of Central New York, Utica, New York**
- Kościuszko Foundation, New York City **
- Marcella Sembrich Memorial Association **
- National Katyń Memorial Foundation of Baltimore, Maryland **
- Panna Maria Historical Society, Panna Maria, Texas **
- Piast Institute, Hamtramck, Michigan **
- Polanki: Polish Women’s Cultural Club of Milwaukee, Wisconsin **
- Polish American Arts Association of Washington, DC *
- Polish American Association of Sarasota, Florida **
- Polish-American Club of the Triangle, Raleigh, North Carolina **
- Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota **
- Polish American Cultural Society of Metro St. Louis, Missouri *
- Polish American Foundation of New Britain, Connecticut **
- Polish American Museum, Port Washington, NY **
- Polish Arts Club of Buffalo, New York *
- Polish Arts Club of Elmira, New York**
- Polish Arts Club of Trenton, New Jersey *
- Polish Arts Club of Youngstown, Ohio *
- Polish Center of Discovery and Learning, Chicopee, Massachusetts **
- Polish Club of Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Georgia **
- Polish Club of Denver, Colorado **
- Polish Club of San Francisco, California **
- Polish Cultural Club of Greater Hartford, East Hartford, Connecticut *
- Polish Cultural Council, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania *
- Polish Cultural Foundation of Boston, Massachusetts *
- Polish Falcons of America, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania **
- Polish Heritage Association of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland **
- Polish Heritage Center at Panna Maria, Texas **
- Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania *
- Polish Heritage Society of Rochester, New York **
- Polish Home Omaha, Nebraska **
- Polish Museum of America, Chicago, Illinois **
- The Polish Institute of Culture and Research, Orchard Lake, Michigan **
*ACPC Affiliate Organization
** ACPC Supporting Organization