Discover Our Heritage
Culture & Heritage
Over 1000 years of Polish history, traditions and spirit - alive in Southern California
Our History
From first immigrants to a thriving community
First Settlers
First Polish immigrants arrive in California seeking a better life.
Our Lady of the Bright Mount
Founding of Our Lady of the Bright Mount parish in Los Angeles - the only Polish parish in the archdiocese.
Historic Mansion
Parish acquires historic mansion on Adams Blvd. Church built in 1956.
Cardinal Wojtyła's Visit
Cardinal Karol Wojtyła (future St. John Paul II) celebrates Mass at Our Lady of the Bright Mount parish.
Solidarity Wave
Thousands of Poles emigrate during martial law. The community doubles.
St. John Paul II Shrine
Archbishop Gomez designates parish as Shrine of St. John Paul II. Houses relics of Polish saints.
Thriving Community
Over 100,000 Poles. Active organizations, schools, and rich calendar of events.
Polish Traditions
Holidays and customs passed down through generations
🎄 Christmas Eve
The most important evening of the year. 12 dishes, sharing wafer, hay under tablecloth, and caroling together.
🥚 Easter
Blessing of food baskets, painted eggs, Śmigus-Dyngus, and traditional dishes like żurek and white sausage.
💒 Polish Wedding
Traditional ceremonies, folk dances, live band, and a feast lasting until dawn.
🥟 Polish Cuisine
Pierogi, bigos, żurek, pork cutlet, cheesecake - flavors that connect generations.
Famous Poles
Poles who changed the world
Maria Skłodowska-Curie
ScientistTwo-time Nobel laureate, discoverer of polonium and radium.
Wikipedia →Nicolaus Copernicus
AstronomerCreator of heliocentric theory, stopped the Sun, moved the Earth.
Wikipedia →Robert Lewandowski
Football PlayerOne of the best football players in the world, Bundesliga record holder.
Wikipedia →Polish Symbols
Signs of our national identity
White Eagle
Polish coat of arms for over 700 years, symbol of freedom and independence.
National Anthem
"Poland has not yet perished" - anthem of hope written in 1797.
White & Red Flag
Flag colors symbolize purity (white) and blood shed for the homeland (red).
Poppies & Cornflowers
Polish wildflowers, symbols of remembrance and rural landscape.
Polish Language
One of the most difficult and beautiful languages in the world
45M+
people speak Polish
32
letters in alphabet
7
grammatical cases
Basic Phrases
Music & Dance
Rhythms that move the Polish soul
Polonaise
Ceremonial dance opening balls, symbol of Polish elegance.
Mazurka
Lively folk dance from Mazovia, immortalized by Chopin.
Krakowiak
Energetic dance from Kraków region in colorful costumes.
Oberek
Fast, spinning folk dance full of joy and energy.
Organizations in SoCal
Places where Polonia gathers
Polish Parishes
Our Lady of the Bright Mount (LA), St. Maximilian Kolbe (OC) and more.
Polish Schools
Saturday schools teaching Polish language, history and culture.
Polish American Congress
Main organization representing interests of American Polonia.
Folk Ensembles
Dance groups cultivating Polish folk traditions.
Clubs & Associations
Polish Club, PNA Lodge, veteran clubs and more.
Youth Groups
Scouting, parish groups, summer camps.
Polish Cinema
Masters of world cinema
Andrzej Wajda
1926-2016
Krzysztof Kieślowski
1941-1996
Creator of "Decalogue"Roman Polański
1933-
Agnieszka Holland
1948-
"Green Border"UNESCO in Poland
17 World Heritage Sites
Kraków
Wieliczka
Malbork
Polish Literature
6 Nobel Prizes in Literature
Polish Military History
Heroism on many fronts
Battle of Britain 1940
303 Squadron - most effective RAF unit
126 killsMonte Cassino 1944
2nd Polish Corps under Gen. Anders
923 fallenEnigma 1932
Polish mathematicians broke the code
-2 years of warMiracle on Vistula 1920
One of 18 decisive battles
Europe saved