The results of the first round of the presidential elections in Poland are in. I promised to remain neutral and avoid politics, but I cannot stay silent. When I see that 6% (12% in US, 17% in Canada) of Poles are voting for a fascist who openly calls for restoring the death penalty, promises to imprison women, reduce the congress and senate, increase presidential power, and restore a sovereign Poland (think North Korea) all in the name of God, I had to say something. Additionally, 51% voted for the extreme right that wants Poland to exit the EU.

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Last year, we had a presidential election in the US, and this week, Polish citizens will vote for their president. While it’s not my place to tell you whether to vote or which candidate to choose, I hope you will consider voting for someone who represents the entire country, not just their party. Now more than ever, we need a president who prioritizes the nation over party interests and personal gain. We need a leader with empathy, someone who unites rather than divides, and who promotes compromise instead of hatred.

See you at the polls on Saturday.

Like many Polish immigrants, I have a deep fondness for Polish bread. Each time I move to a new location, my first mission is to find stores that carry rye bread. There’s nothing quite like a fresh, warm loaf of rye bread. American wheat bread often feels bland, lacking flavor and filled with unnecessary additives. Polish rye bread, by contrast, is made simply from whole rye flour and water, offering an incredible taste and maintaining its freshness for many days.

After years living in Seattle, I have yet to find good rye bread, which led me to start baking it myself. In this issue, I will share a recipe and some stories about Polish rye sourdough bread. If you have a better recipe or know a place that makes and sells quality bread, please let us know.

GiveBIG 2025 concluded yesterday, but the website is still accepting donations. If you missed the event, you can still show your support and appreciation. This year’s fundraiser exceeded our wildest expectations, reaching 98% of our goal. Amazing! We are humbled by and grateful for your generosity. Thank you so much!

GiveBIG 2025 culminates on May 6-7. So far the response from our subscribers was phenomenal and we’ve already reached 30% of our goal. Thank you so much.

May 1st, 2nd and 3rd are big holidays in Poland. More about the history of these holidays below.

PS: don’t forget to register for the presidential elections before May 13. You can do it online at https://ewybory.msz.gov.pl

The tradition of the May holiday is a beautiful example of how old customs and modern customs can interpenetrate and complement each other. The celebration of May is a great opportunity to celebrate spring, work, family and friendship. It is worth cultivating this tradition and enjoying it, remembering its deep meaning and historical roots. We have more about this tradition below.

May is the month of the GiveBIG fundraiser, the largest in the Pacific Northwest. Learn more about this year’s fundraisers and causes organized by the Seattle Polish Foundation.

We, the Seattle Polish News volunteers, also ask for your help. A one-dollar donation from each subscriber would cover our annual costs. If you enjoy this newsletter, please show your support.

Easter is coming this weekend, and we have prepared a special Easter edition featuring stories about Easter traditions and information about upcoming Easter events.

As every year, the 2025 GiveBIG fundraiser is coming in May. The Seattle Polish Foundation is using this event to raise funds for two vital causes: a Medical & Emergency Fund for our aging community members, and a much-needed Stage and Floor Remodeling Project at the historic Polish Home.

The Seattle Polish Film Festival is seeking donations to help with venue rentals.

Seattle Polish News is encouraging all our subscribers to help cover the cost of using the Mailchimp service.

Today, we begin a new series of stories about banned books with Ania Kaminska’s essay and a review of The Career of Nicodemus Dyzma (Kariera Nikodema Dyzmy). This book tells the tale of a small-town con artist who climbs the social ladder to become a political leader, only to end up as a puppet of the elite class. Despite being censored, confiscated, and ultimately banned in Poland in 1951, the book gained immense popularity. It was adapted into movies and TV series and even inspired Jerzy Kosinski to write Being There.

We also have an update about the Presidential Elections in Seattle. Keep reading below.

Seattle narrowly avoided a tornado and 2-inch hail. If it had happened, we’d probably be using some strong language. That’s why in this issue; we’re tackling the controversial topic of swear words.

Personally, I don’t like swear words and rarely use them. Maybe only when I hit my finger with a hammer because it reduces pain – a scientifically proven fact.

However, when I travel to Poland or talk to my Polish friends, I hear swear words everywhere: in all sorts of conversations, on television, even in stand-up comedy shows. I always wonder why? Do they make our conversations better? Do they make us sound more confident?

The answers are in the short story below. Enjoy.

We all faced this decision once when we left Poland and settled in Seattle. For many, leaving home is a dramatic and seemingly impossible choice. We did it, so we know firsthand how hard it is. Yet, because we’ve done it once, and sometimes many times, it’s not frightening anymore. After a while in one place, we start thinking that maybe it’s time to move again.

Spring is almost here, and we wanted to dedicate this issue to the season. Our editor, Ania Kaminska, has written a wonderful article about an old Polish tradition of drowning a Marzanna. You’ll find it below.

I was prompted to write this article by two events, one last Saturday and one happening soon.

On Sunday, March 2, the Seattle Polish Film Festival organized a fundraiser for Ukraine and presented the movie “Erase the Nation” about the war in Ukraine. It was a sold-out event with lots of Poles, Ukrainians, and Americans in the audience.

Starting March 13, the Seattle Jewish Film Festival will present a Polish movie “The Death of Zygielbojm” (Śmierć Zygielbojma).

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The Polish Community in Seattle responded to this question with an incredibly strong YES. Since 2020, we have donated over $240,000 to the Seattle Polish Foundation through personal donations from individuals like you and me. We can be proud of ourselves and our generosity. These donations support our community, the Polish Cultural Center, and events like the Polish Festival and the Seattle Polish Film Festival. By donating, you also help members of our community who have fallen into hard times.

If you are not familiar with the Seattle Polish Foundation, I encourage you to visit their website, learn about their mission, recent fundraisers, and meet the members of the board of directors.

This year, the biggest fundraiser event in Washington State, GiveBIG, starts in a month and concludes on May 6-7. Visit the Seattle Polish Foundation page hosted by GiveBIG to find out about this year’s causes and specific fundraisers.

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A few days ago, while driving on Route 2 towards Sultan, my Spotify Daily Mix playlist suddenly played a song I hadn’t heard in years. It was Republika’s “Biała Flaga” (“White Flag”), and the first verse was “Where are my friends?” (“Gdzie są moi przyjaciele?”). When I got home, the song was still in my head, and I kept asking myself this question: Where are our friends?

We left them behind when we moved. They left us behind when they moved. There were a few friendships from high school that survived our turbulent times and all the departures. Some lasted for years, but we stopped responding to their Christmas cards, and they stopped sending them. Some just faded away as we had nothing in common and nothing to say.

Then we ended up in Seattle and heard about the Seattle Freeze.

Years ago, when I lived in Montreal, the city would come alive once a year, with everyone getting out and moving. Since 1971, Canadians have been joining the ParticipACTION movement to promote physical activity, strengthen their health and well-being. The idea was simple: instead of staying home and passively participating