Polonaise Balls in Los AngelesCharitable and social-cultural events
by Gene Stanwyck-Stankiewicz
Count Adam and Countess Hania Tyszkiewicz of Bel Air, California, have presided over eight annual Polonaise Balls held in the Grand Ballroom of the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills for the benefit of various Polish-American causes.
The causes were generally charitable and social-cultural such as:
- The Helena Modjeska Polish American Theater Group, Inc.,- The American Premier of Long Beach Opera's "King Roger by Karol Szymanowski. Michael Milenski, General Director,
- Support for the Polish Hospice for the incurably ill in Nova Huta and the Academy of Medicine in Krakow,
- Support of the Podhale Dance Group in Los Angeles,
According to publicity: in 1993 more than 480 guests attended the elegant Eighth Annual Polonaise Ball for the benefit of Poles living in Siberia. This year's event was in honor of actor James Stewart, an esteemed patron of Polish causes.
The atmosphere was cheerful as streams of automobiles began to arrive in front of the hotel. Attractive women of the "International and Hollywood" society were seen dressed in floor-length gowns, accompanied by their tuxedo clad escorts, striding up the stairs into the marbled interior of the hotel.
Young girls and boys in the costumes of the Krakow and the Lowicz region stood as an honor guard for the grand entrance at exactly eight o'clock.
The ballroom was reminiscent of the Lazienki Palace in Warsaw. Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow on grey and red marbled walls decorated with tall arched mirrors. An enormous painting of the interior of the Warsaw Royal Castle, Zamek Krolewski, was used as a backdrop for the Henryk Reiss orchestra. In the center of the ballroom hanging from the ceiling in a large circle were the national emblems: white-and-red banners with the eagle signifying the 1000-year history of Poland.
Following the invocation by Bishop Juan Arzube, Count Tyszkiewicz welcomed the guests, and explained the banners. He pointed out that the banner with the eagle without a crown, which was used from 1945 through 1989, during the domination of Poland by the Moscow-imposed Communist government, was not included in the circle. At this point the surprise guest appeared - a large live eagle with a wing span of more than five feet.
Count Adam challenged the eagle, saying, "You are not welcome here ... you represent Communist Poland!" To the of delight of all present, Countess Tyszkiewicz appeared on stage with a specially made crown which was placed on the eagle's head. With great seriousness Count Tyszkiewicz then said to the eagle: "Now you may fly back to Poland and never, never, surrender your crown!"
The honorable Jan Szewc, Consul General of Poland, presented an award from President Lech Walesa to Mr. James Stewart; California Secretary of State, Dr. March Fong Eu, praised the Tyszkiewiczes for their successful presentation of the Polonaise Balls in Los Angeles. The Polish Television crew filmed the activities of the Ball to be shown on Polish Television in Poland.
As in previous Balls, this year's Polonaise Ball lasted until the early morning hours.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.