Seattle Polish News sends warm wishes for a wonderful Easter.

As in previous years, the 2026 GiveBIG fundraiser is happening this May. The Seattle Polish Foundation invites you to support its Cultural Fund. Your donation not only helps preserve our traditions but also keeps them accessible to all.

The Seattle Polish Film Festival is asking for donations to cover venue rental costs. Like last year, all screenings are free, making your support more important than ever.

At Seattle Polish News, we’re hoping our subscribers can help us cover the costs of running this service.

On January 14, 2026 the Washington State Senate, in a state resolution 8662, honored and commended Roman Rogalski for his service and dedication to the Polish community in Seattle. Also on January 14, Steve Hobbs, the secretary of state, presented to Roman a certificate of appreciation in recognition and appreciation

Dear Members of the Polish Community,

The Seattle Polish Foundation is here for you—in good times and especially in difficult ones. If you or someone you know has been affected by the recent floods or windstorms, please reach out to us. SPF is ready to offer support. 

If you have not been directly impacted but would like to help, we welcome your involvement. You can contact us to volunteer, or make a donation to SPF with a note specifying flood relief. Every contribution makes a difference. 

Together, we can ensure that no one faces these challenges alone. 

Warmest wishes for a joyful Holiday Season from all of us at the SPN team!

This Giving Tuesday, over $3,500 was donated—an incredible achievement! Congratulations and thank you for your generosity. You can still support Polish community cultural events by visiting the Seattle Polish Foundation website or contributing directly to the Giving Tuesday fundraiser. The PHA elections will be held on January 25, 2026. Anyone

This is the season to reflect on all the things we’re grateful for and to think about how we can help others. One of the best ways to make a difference is by participating in the Seattle Polish Foundation fundraisers. The next event, Giving Tuesday, takes place on December 2, and this year we’ll be raising funds for Polish cultural events in Seattle. If you remember Janusz Olejniczak’s concert years ago, you’ll agree that an event of such caliber is long overdue. With your support, it could happen again soon.

It’s been an exciting election season with contests in both Poland and Seattle. But it’s not over yet—the Polish Home Association election is coming up in December, making this the perfect time to renew your membership or join. Every vote matters, and your voice deserves to be heard.

Don’t miss the Seattle Polish Film Festival! This year’s selection and guests are truly fantastic, thanks to the dedication and hard work of SPFF volunteers. Come by, show your support, and bring your American friends along!

Each year, we hear from subscribers who just missed consular visits. To stay updated on these visits and other events in Seattle, subscribing to this newsletter is the best way. Don’t forget to share it with your friends and family! Historically, the term “witch hunt” has been loaded with fear,

There’s plenty of news coming from the Seattle Polish Film Festival and Polish Home. Stay tuned!

I hope you had a fantastic summer! The weather was beautiful, and thankfully, the wildfire smoke wasn’t as intense as in previous years. If you missed the announcement from the Polish Home Association, there’s great news—Polish Home has officially reopened! On September 5th, PHA celebrated the grand opening of the

Seattle is buzzing with activity this summer. Make the most of the beautiful weather and enjoy all the exciting Polish events! Seattle Polish Festival pulled it off once again—what an amazing event! The Seattle Polish Foundation and the festival organizers extend their heartfelt gratitude and thanks to all the volunteers

The Seattle Polish Festival is set for Saturday, July 12, 2025, from noon to 7 PM at the Seattle Center Armory and Mural Amphitheatre. This year’s theme is Polish Legends and Castles, and the event promises a vibrant mix of live music, traditional food, exhibits, and workshops. If you’re planning

Poll results are in, and I appreciate your participation. Your feedback is valued.

There were issues with the Mailchimp survey feature, leading to some confusion. Despite this, 120 responses were received for the first survey question and 68 for the poll.

94.2% of respondents indicated they want the editor’s letter to continue, while 5.8% answered No. Additionally, 91% of voters stated that they would recommend the newsletter to others.
Keep reading→

My last op-ed caused quite a stir. After years of no comments, no emails, and no thank-yous, I received several emails complementing our new newsletter and a few criticizing my opinion. Some responses were quite vile and aggressive.

This calls for an explanation and a follow-up.

Keep reading→

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.

Keep reading→

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.