Secondary-school graduates dancing polonaise
More than three hundred graduating secondary school students danced the polonaise in the Opole Market Square this year. It was the 21st edition of this event. Its regulars say that anyone that danced the polonaise passes their final exams. We keep our fingers crossed for you and... see you at the UO in October!
The event took place on 25 January 2023 at high noon in the Opole Market Square. It was organised by Gazeta Wyborcza in Opole, the University of Opole and the Opole City Hall.
“This polonaise has been our tradition for many years," said the Mayor of Opole, Arkadiusz Wiśniewski, who danced, wearing a kontusz, in one of the first pairs. “It is a kind of tacit guarantee, stemming from respect for this tradition of ours, that those who take part in the Opole polonaise will pass their baccalaureate exams. I know, of course, that it is not just about passing them, but about doing it as best as possible. And I wish you that. I also hope that after graduation, the world will open its gates wide for you, that you will be able to realise your plans and dreams and conquer the world, and that you will not forget about Opole, and that you will come back here one day to take care of the city together with us. We're keeping our fingers crossed for you!
“Today, to the rhythm of this polonaise, you are slowly moving towards the halls where you will be taking your baccalaureate exams," said Professor Marek Masnyk, Rector of the University of Opole, who also danced with the young people, dressed in period costume. “Lately, I have been talking very often with my students, who in the past years marched here around the market square in this polonaise, and I confirm: all those who are present here have almost guaranteed and well passed baccalaureate. Which I wish you heartily. And by the way, I would like to invite you to our university after graduation, as it is the largest university and co-organiser of this event. I hope that today's good atmosphere and your good mood will be conducive to the best possible preparation for your final exams. I wish you good academic choices in July and August, and see you at the University of Opole in October. You are most welcome!”
This year, the school-leavers were led in their traditional dance by an exceptional pair: Adriana Adamek, captain of the Uni Opole volleyball club, and Leszek Malec, an actor from the Jan Kochanowski Theatre in Opole. There were so many young people dancing in twos and fours and forming spectacular tunnels that the leaders sometimes had to stop the procession to give them space to continue dancing.
The final point of the programme was, by now traditional, a joint commemorative photograph taken from above, i.e. from the window of the town hall. The photo will be published in the Opole edition of Gazeta Wyborcza on Friday, 27 January 2023. All participants in the dance also received a certificate of participation.
And those who turned up at the market square a while before noon and
demonstrated their knowledge of Opole and the University of Opole could win
attractive prizes. For example, a game of Opole Monopoly. There were also tickets to the Meduza cinema,
the Puppet and Actor Theatre, the Jan Kochanowski Theatre, the Gallery of
Contemporary Art, and a concert by Organek and the Bluszcz band at the National
Centre of Polish Song, as well as a variety of gadgets from the University of
Opole and the Gallery of Contemporary Art.
The competitions and the entire event were run by Mateusz Golomb from
the UO Office of Marketing and PR.
The event was held under the honorary patronage of the Mayor of Opole,
Arkadiusz Wiśniewski, and the Opole School Superintendent, Michał Siek, while
Radio Eska was the media patron.