The Lajkonik Polish Folk Ensemble is one of the pillars of Polish culture in Tucson. Created under the scorching heat of the Arizona sun in 1998, Lajkonik became the first group to promote Polish culture through dance in all of Arizona. Lajkonik takes part in and/or organizes around 25 events per year – festivals, church festivals, events at schools, retirement homes, and scores of other venues, including the University of Arizona. The group enjoys a large and growing following in the local community. In 2012, Lajkonik was the first Polish folk group in the United States to perform at halftime during an NBA game, celebrating Polish Heritage Night with popular Phoenix Suns player Marcin Gortat in front of an audience of 13,000 fans. The Ensemble performed as the first Polish Dance group from Arizona at the International Festival of Polish Folklore in Rzeszow in 2014. On a local level, the group enriches and livens up the annual Tucson Meet Yourself festival – one of the largest cultural festivals in the Southwest – not only performing, but sharing Polish food with the community. It’s organizers have described Lajkonik as “Tucson’s most beloved folk group.” For the past two years Lajkonik has been recognized for this through artistic fellowships from the TMY. Lajkonik also performs annually at the Polish and Hungarian Festivals in Phoenix and partners with the Arizona Balalaika Orchestra in Tucson to perform at their live concert. In January 2016 Lajkonik was part of Polonia New Year concert in Las Vegas and will be performing during Polish Festival in Seattle in July. Lajkonik is also recognized by Tucson Pima Arts Council, Polish American Congress of Arizona and Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lajkonik strives to continue serving as a way of bringing all generations together by celebrating Polish culture.

Joanna and Matthew Schmit

A few pictures from the life of Polonia getting together at the Saint Cyril from Alexandria church. Polonia in Tucson meets every first Sunday of the month at 3pm for a Polish Mass .Every Easter food blessing takes place on Saturday at 11am and on Christmas Eve Polish community gathers for Pasterka at 9pm in the Polish tradition. After Mass Polish community gathers at the Parish Hall for some comradely.