The Polish Center of Wisconsin, located in Franklin, is holding a Polish Christmas program Dec. 12 to celebrate the season and maintain Polish traditions.

In these undated photos, a Polish retelling of the Nativity with traditional Polish Christmas carols, dances and folk costumes. (Photos courtesy of the Syrenka Polish Folk Dance Ensemble)Since the Polish Center opened in 2000, it has held some form of Christmas observance each year, varying from a Wigilia (Christmas Eve) styled meal to a Three Kings Day performance.

“This year, we decided on a different format for families and others who would like to enjoy some Polish Christmas traditions and perhaps incorporate them into their home celebrations,” said Susan Mikos, past president of the Polish Center and current chair of its cultural committee.

The event, beginning at 6 p.m., will “consist of information about Polish Christmas customs, singing of Polish and English carols and holiday refreshments,” said Mikos.

The St. John Paul II Polish Saturday School and Syrenka Children’s Polish Folk Dance Ensemble will lead the audience in Polish Christmas carols — “koledy” in Polish.

The event will feature a Christmas tree decorated with handmade Polish ornaments created by In these undated photos, the Syrenka Children’s Polish Folk Dance Ensemble performs “Jaselka,” a Polish retelling of the Nativity with traditional Polish Christmas carols, dances and folk costumes. (Photos courtesy of the Syrenka Polish Folk Dance Ensemble)the Polanki Polish Women’s Cultural Club of Milwaukee. Polanki also donated szopki, ornately decorated Nativity scenes.

The Polish Christmas season, according to Mikos, begins Dec. 24 and lasts until Jan. 6, Three Kings Day, or longer.

“The most important Polish Christmas custom is the meatless Wigilia feast that takes place on Christmas Eve,” Mikos said. “The Wigilia begins with sharing the oplatek wafer, which is similar to a Communion wafer but with Christmas designs molded into it.”

For Polish families, sharing oplatek includes well-wishes for the new year. Following the Wigilia, Polish families attend midnight Mass, called “Pasterka” or “Shepherds’ Mass.”

Every few years, Syrenka Children’s Polish Folk Dance Ensemble performs “Jaselka,” a Polish retelling of the Nativity with traditional Polish Christmas carols, dances and folk costumes.

Tymothy Stoll, choreographer of the Syrenka children’s group, understands the importance of maintaining Polish customs.

“As choreographer of this group, I feel it is important to uphold the traditions for the children, so memories don’t die,” Stoll said. “Traditions show where we came from.”

if you go

The Christmas program at the Polish Center, 6941 S. 68th St., Franklin, will be held Saturday Dec. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. RSVPs requested: (414) 529-2140 or via email info@polishfest.org.

For more information on Syrenka Children’s Polish Folk Dance Ensemble, visit syrenkachildrenspolishdancers.org or email syrenka.president.info@gmail.com.

To Stoll, Polish Christmas carols (koledy) are particularly beautiful because “they are full of joy, love, meaning and represent what this time of year is all about. The birth of Christ.”

“Syrenka not only tries to uphold the Polish traditions of koledy,” Stoll said. “But the group also tries to uphold the traditions of dancing, singing and costumes to help educate others on the beauty that comes from our beloved homeland of Poland.”