On September 5th, the Polish-American community gathered for the 88th Pulaski Parade Banquet, a cornerstone of Polonia life in the United States. This year, the event carried a historic significance: for the first time, the president of TV Republika, Tomasz Sakiewicz, was invited to deliver an address. His speech was not only a tribute to the shared past of Poland and America, but also a bold reminder of the political and cultural power Polonia wields today.
Speaking before a hall filled with representatives of one of the most influential immigrant communities in the United States, Sakiewicz declared, “It is thanks to you that Poland is strong here today. It is thanks to you that the President of the United States receives the Polish President like a king, because he knows that Polish votes can decide who will be president of the United States. You are building the power of America, but also the power of Poland.”
Sakiewicz’s words struck a chord in a community that has long been the backbone of Polish-American relations. The legacy of General Kazimierz Pułaski, the Polish cavalry commander who sacrificed his life for America’s independence, loomed large over the evening. Each year, in his honour, the Pulaski Parade marches proudly down Fifth Avenue in New York City, celebrating the shared history and values that unite the two nations.
As Sakiewicz reminded his audience, heroes like Pułaski and Kościuszko forged a bond of blood and ideals that cannot be broken: “These were men who connected our common values, faith, freedom, belief in God and in people. From them began democracy in Europe and in America.”
Polonia: A Living Force Strengthening the Bond Between Warsaw and Washington
The banquet in Garfield was not only a prelude to October’s parade but also a demonstration of how deeply rooted Polish traditions and Catholic values remain in the life of American Polonia. In cities like New York and Philadelphia, the memory of Pułaski continues to be honoured as part of the official General Pulaski Memorial Day, established by the U.S. Congress in 1929.
For Sakiewicz, the evening also underscored the growing role of TV Republika in shaping the voice of Polonia: “TV Republika is watched from coast to coast here. Today, it is one of the most important Polish television networks in the United States, if not the most important.”
The warm reception given to TV Republika’s president proved once again that Polonia is not a passive observer, but an active force in American public life. By cherishing history, faith, and culture, this community builds not only a strong Polish identity abroad but also a bridge of influence that binds Warsaw and Washington closer together.
Pulaski Celebrations: Polonia’s Voice Resonates Across the Atlantic
The Pulaski Banquet and the forthcoming parade are more than cultural festivities; they are a visible sign of Poland’s presence in America. As Sakiewicz’s words reminded all present, Polonia is not just preserving traditions. It is shaping politics, strengthening alliances, and ensuring that Poland’s voice is heard loud and clear across the Atlantic.