Our Story

     Wiślanie Polish Folk Song and Dance Ensemble, Inc. was established in 2019 as an independent, 501c3 non-profit, educational, and cultural organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Polish heritage through artistic expression of song and dance for the communities we serve. 

     Wiślanie traces its roots back to the post-World War II era (circa 1950) when the Polish National Alliance's Women's Division began a Polish Folk Dance Group. Over the years, the group existed under several names and rehearsals took place at various locations. Membership varied from eight members in its earliest days to fifty members around 1971, when the group, then known as Krakowiaki Dance Group, became primarily sponsored by PNA. 

     In 2018, our dance group, at 26 members strong, saw an opportunity to expand as there was interest from the Polish School at Holy Rosary Parish in Baltimore, where we grew to 32 members.  This is when we saw it in the Wiślanie's best interest to seek 501c3 status to support our growing group. In 2019, the global COVID-19 pandemic brought that momentum to a screeching halt, along with the rest of the world. We had to cancel our annual fundraiser and sustain ourselves on the few funds that we were able to raise pre-pandemic. The health and safety of our dancers, families, and the community always comes first! Early in 2022, we began meeting and rehearsing once again. Though our group looks a bit different now, together, we move forward in excitement and anticipation of what the future holds- we cannot wait! Our members range from 2 1/2 years old through adults. In November 2022, we joined Polish Folk Dance Association of the Americas (PFDAA) and attended a Choreographer Seminar in Atlanta, GA taught by Pani Anna Iskra, a choreographer from Poland who is an expert in the Biłgoraj and Chełm regional dances. In 2023, we joined National Folk Organization (NFO), which focuses on all types of folk dancing, not just Polish. Our memberships with both PFDAA and NFO connects our group to other groups across North America and will allow us to expand our repertoire and connect us with invaluable resources. 

     Our name “Wiślanie” (pronounced Vish-lon-nyeh) comes from a settlement community that settled around the Vistula River or Wisła before Poland became a nation. This was one of the first communities that evolved the Polish culture throughout the centuries. As the Wisła flows throughout most of Poland, it provides life to those who relied on its resources. Just as in the folk song, Płynie Wisła Płynie, as long as the Wisła River flows, Poland will not perish. Similarly, as long as there are people willing to use their God-given dance, vocal, and instrumental talents to preserve our rich history, our group will continue with strong and persevering Polish pride. Membership is open to any person who is sincerely interested in supporting the mission of Wiślanie. Any person, young or young at heart, who wishes to dance, sing, or play an instrument, or their friends or family members may apply by declaring his/her intention to support Wiślanie’s mission. We invite you to join us as we perform traditional Polish folk songs and dances, incorporating the instrumental and vocal talents of our members.