Polish American Congress of Southern California (PAC SCAL) hosted its annual Opłatek & Polonia Awards celebration on January 18 at The Grand in Long Beach, bringing together members of the Polish-American community, distinguished guests, and community leaders for an evening rooted in tradition, unity, and recognition.
The sharing of opłatek, a centuries-old Christian tradition symbolizing reconciliation, unity, and community, remains a central element of the Congress’s annual gathering. Each year, PAC SCAL continues this tradition by convening its members and guests to reflect on shared values, cultural heritage, and civic engagement.
The event was honored by the presence of Consul General of the Republic of Poland, Paulina Kapuścińska, and Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, who joined the celebration and extended warm wishes to the Polish-American community. During his remarks, Assessor Prang also acknowledged his Polish heritage and formally recognized both Dr. Maja Trochimczyk and Fr. Mirosław Frankowski for their outstanding contributions to the community.
The evening opened with welcoming remarks by the President of the Polish American Congress of Southern California, who emphasized the importance of preserving Polish traditions, strengthening community bonds, and encouraging continued civic engagement across generations.
A longstanding tradition of the PAC SCAL is the presentation of the Polonia Awards, which honor individuals whose exceptional dedication and service have had a lasting impact on the Polish-American community. This year’s honorees were Dr. Maja Trochimczyk, recognized for her exceptional scholarly and cultural achievements, and Fr. Mirosław Frankowski, honored for his dedicated service and leadership.
The event was led by Paulina Rezendes and Leszek Pawlik, who served as presenters and guided the program throughout the evening.
The program was further enriched by a musical performance of traditional Christmas carols by pianist Olivia Kierdal, whose artistry added a reflective and festive atmosphere to the celebration.
To honor the award recipients, the Polish folk dance ensemble Krakusy presented a special performance. Krakusy is one of the most recognized Polish folk groups in Southern California, dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional Polish music, dance, and costume. Their performance offered a vibrant cultural tribute and a meaningful expression of appreciation for the honorees.
PAC SCAL extends our sincere gratitude to the sponsors: the Polish Center LA, POLAM Federal Credit Union, Moonrise Press, Aquila Polonica Publishing, Polish National Alliance, Restaurants: Stara, Solidarity, U Babci, Hellada Gallery, and others donors.
The Polish American Congress of Southern California extends its sincere gratitude to all attendees, invited guests, performers, organizers, and volunteers who contributed to the success of this year’s Opłatek & Polonia Awards celebration. Events such as this continue to strengthen community ties and preserve the rich cultural and civic traditions of Polish Americans in Southern California.
