On September 13, 1965 Mr. Michal Jedrasik, President of the Parent Advisory Committee at the Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish Saturday School, initiated the formation of a Polish dance group to be affiliated with the school (www.pshs.ca, Nasza Historia), under the artistic direction of Mrs. Irena Krzak. After only a few months, the group had its first performance at the annual May 3rd celebration, and during the following autumn, they danced at the annual United Nations Festival.

After many hardships and countless hours of work put in by the instructors (Halina Buksinska, Jolanta Najfeldt, Teresa Morawska, Zbigniew Zapasek, Sr. Humilitas leading the choir, and Tadeusz Kiryczuk as accompaniment) as well as the dancers, ranging from 5 to 15 years in age, the dance group performed for several Polish communities in Alberta, such as Radway, Grand Prairie, Bonnyville, and Athabasca, presenting their repertoire of Krakowiak, Mazur, Polonez, Kujawiak, and traditional Polish songs. They received a warm welcome from the Polish community and enthusiastic applause after every performance.

In 1974, Mr. Zbigniew Filipowski became the new president of the ensemble. He extended the repertoire to include "Goralskie" (Mountaineers) dances, which were taught by Father Wladyslaw Karciarz, OMI. Mr. Filipowski organised for the instructors to attend the Polish Folk Dance Course for Choreographers and Instructors, which was affiliated with the Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, Poland. At this time, the role of artistic director and choreographer was held by Tadeusz Batogowski from the Warsaw Grand Theatre, who improved the dance technique within the group, and whose Krakowiak moved the hearts of all audiences.

The group took part in many successive Polish celebrations: the annual May 3rd celebration, November 11th, the Combatant's Ball, Polish Canadian Congress, Polish Canadian Society, and Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish Saturday School. Its involvement with the Edmonton Folk Arts allowed for the group to perform for many different ethic groups in St. Paul, Drayton Valley, Ft. McMurray, Josephburg, Glendon, Prince Albert, and Stony Plain, as well as for its participation in the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Edmonton Arts Folk Council, the 100th Anniversary of the Canadian National Parks held in Rocky Mountain House, and during annual Canada Day festivities.

Some noted performances that the Young Polish Canadian Dancers and Singers of Edmonton participated in were: "Polonia Jutra", a concert celebrating the 10th anniversary of the group, Kelowna Regatta Festival in Kelowna, B.C., a concert in celebration of Pope John Paul II's visit to Edmonton, and the VI Canadian Polish Folk Art Festival in Toronto. The ensemble also took part in the filming of, "Polish Settlers in Alberta".

At the same time, Mr. Stanislaw Zajac, who was trained in ballet and danced competitively with the Polish song and dance ensembles of Mazowsze and Slask, became the instructor and choreographer of the group. A year later, Mrs. Debbie Wojda, an alumnus of the previously mentioned Polish Folk Dance Course for Choreographers and Instructors, took over the role of instructor for the two younger groups within the ensemble.

On June 1, 1988, the organization changed its name (Alberta Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Corporate Registry and Certificate of Amendment) and became known as Mazur Polish Canadian Dancers of Edmonton Society (Mazur).

In September 1988, Dr. Walenty Michalik, a Instructor of Dance in the Special Category, dancer and artistic director of the ballet group for the song and dance ensemble "Krakus" in Krakow, became the artistic director and instructor of Mazur. During his 20-year collaboration with the group, a program rich in folklore and technique was formed, which consisted of the following dances: Krakow, Rzeszow, Lublin, Lowicz, Slask, and Zywiec. 

Ms. Anetta Malczewska, participant of Courses for Polish Folk Dances Instructors organized by Young Polish Canadian Dancers and Singers of Edmonton Society and dancer of many years ( Young Polish Canadian Dancers, Mazur and Polonez), with the assistance of Amanda Chrusciel took over the role of instructors in the fall of 2008. After rigorous practices and hours of instruction, the group created an entirely new program consisting of the Mazur, Krakowiak, Oberek, Lublin, Kaszuby, and Town Polkas, which it showcased over 20 times within the following year, including at the Festival of Trees, the Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish School Banquet, Polish Panorama Ball, May 3rd Celebrations, at the Revenue Canada Banquet, Canada Day celebrations, and Heritage Days, all within Edmonton and area. In 2009 they also travelled to Disneyland in California and the Peach Festival in Penticton, B.C. to bring their dances to new audiences.

In September 2009, Mazur formed a younger group under the instruction of Ms. Joanna Dumicz, dancer of many years in Song and Dance Assembly "Zency" in Szczecin, Poland.

Despite obstacles that have come their ways during the last 45 years, the group still remains till this day. It is thanks to the motivation and dedication of its many dancers, parents, volunteers, and instructors, without whom it would not exist.

Past Presidents:

List of Works Cited

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Last modified: August 18, 2022