October is a magical time in the Pacific Northwest. As autumn rains return and temperatures drop, forests in Washington and Oregon become a mushroom hunter’s dream. Mossy trees, misty trails, and the earthy aroma of the woods set the stage for one of the region’s favorite fall traditions: mushroom picking. For many, mushroom hunting is more than a pastime—it’s a chance to slow down, connect with nature, and uncover the forest’s hidden gems. Whether you’re
Polish Home Association is raising funds for improvements to the kitchen. to find more information and donate please visit PHA website.
In summer and fall the forests in Poland come alive with people; young and old are united by a lofty goal to find wild mushrooms, a prized commodity since time immemorial. Mushroom foraging in Poland is not only a pastime but, particularly in the countryside, it’s a way of life. Mushrooms are cooked, fried, marinated and stored in jars, dried, froze or salted (rather rare today). There is hardly a house that does not have a couple of pounds of dried mushrooms in a pantry to enhance the flavor of meat dishes, soups, or to make a fabulous mushroom sauce. Poles could die for pierogis with mushrooms or a delish mushroom sauerkraut dish.
After a quiet period, the end of summer marks our return to full activity. The Polish Home has reopened, and the Ryszard Kott Gloria Artis Medal award was a notable highlight.
An exciting schedule of events is on the horizon, so now is the perfect time to encourage friends and family to subscribe.
In October, the Seattle Polish Film Festival will be back, presenting an outstanding selection of Polish films. For the latest updates, visit the SPFF website.
Radio Gdańsk has launched a sixty-part audio series, “Gdynia Obiecana,” inspired by Grzegorz Piątek’s book on Gdynia’s extraordinary interwar transformation. The series explores not only the city’s rapid development but also the people behind it and the social costs involved. Created to mark Gdynia’s centennial, each six-minute episode airs on weekdays at 5:45 a.m. and repeats at 8:50 p.m. (Seattle times: 8:45 p.m. PDT the previous day for the morning broadcast, and 11:50 a.m. PDT
Do you love Polish music and enjoy singing? Vivat Musica! Polish Choir at the Polish Home Association in Seattle is welcoming new members! It’s a friendly and vibrant group brought together by a love of music, Polish culture, and singing together. You don’t need to be a professional singer — enthusiasm and a desire to sing are what matter most! The choir is directed by Dr. Marcin Paczkowski, an outstanding musician and conductor. 🎶 The
Tomorrow at the Polish Cultural Center, Ryszard Kott will be awarded the Gloria Artis Medal, one of the highest honors bestowed by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. This distinction recognizes his outstanding contributions to our community and his long‑standing dedication to preserving and promoting Polish culture in Seattle. Please join us tomorrow, Friday, September 4 at 6:00 PM to congratulate Ryszard and celebrate his remarkable accomplishments. This is a meaningful moment not
The Indie Games Poland Foundation is celebrating its 10th appearance at PAX West in Seattle, the largest video game trade show in the United States — and one of the biggest in the world. This year’s booth features 14 diverse independent games developed in Poland, including several titles published by Polish companies. Visitors will have the chance to meet the creators, learn about their development process, and experience unique games across a wide range of
Ryszard Kott will receive the Gloria Artis medal on September 4 for his significant contributions to Polish culture and heritage. His efforts include establishing the Maria Kott Endowed Professorship of Polish Studies, founding the Seattle Polish Foundation, and organizing cultural events. He has been pivotal in promoting Polish arts and traditions in the U.S.
Seattle Polish Foundation (SPF) is the main Polish‑American charity in Seattle and Washington State — and everything we do is about keeping Polish culture vibrant, visible, and fun in the Pacific Northwest. We sponsor cultural events, support local Polish organizations, and team up with partners across the region to bring Polish traditions to the wider community. 🌟 Our Big Events Polish Festival Seattle is our flagship celebration every July at Seattle Center. Since 2012, it’s
Please note that our Friday Dinner kitchen will be closed during July and August for a summer break. PHA is looking forward to welcoming everyone back on Friday, September 11, from 5 PM to 9 PM. Have a wonderful summer, and see you soon at the Polish Home Association!
Need something to do on July 11? Enjoy the Polish Fest but want to be more involved? Want a free t-shirt and food? Then sign up to volunteer at this year’s Polish Festival at Seattle Center! We still need lots of volunteers, especially helpers in the food tents! Bring your friends and family, help serve our guests, then enjoy our performances, booths, beer garden, and more! Use this link to sign up! We can’t wait
Seattle stayed cool while Europe and the East Coast baked — so make the most of our perfect summer and head to the Polish Festival at Seattle Center! First‑ever volleyball team parade, great attractions, and a live Polish rock concert by Yaazda. Don’t miss it.
The Seattle Polish Festival is organized and funded by the Seattle Polish Foundation, so in this issue, we’ll be featuring SPF. Keep reading.
Marcin Pączkowski is a composer, conductor, digital artist, and performer working with both traditional and electronic media. Born and raised in Poland, he earned Master’s degrees in both Music Composition and Symphony and Opera Conducting from the Academy of Music in Kraków. He subsequently earned a Ph.D. in Digital Arts and Experimental Media (DXARTS) from the University of Washington. Dr. Pączkowski serves as the Music Director for the Polish Choir Vivat Musica in Seattle and
Last week we presented the Seattle‑Gdynia Sister City Association and the organizer of the Seattle Polish Film Festival. Today, we continue our series by introducing another important institution shaping our local Polish community: the Polish American Chamber of Commerce Pacific Northwest (PACCPNW).
Founded in 2012 by a group of local entrepreneurs and volunteers, PACCPNW has become a key resource for Polish businesses exploring opportunities in the United States. Over the years, the Chamber has hosted numerous government and business delegations from Poland and has served as a primary point of contact for companies seeking to enter the U.S. market.
Since 2016, PACCPNW has also partnered with the Indie Games Poland Foundation to support Polish video game studios exhibiting at PAX West—the largest video game trade show in the United States and one of the biggest in the world. This collaboration has helped showcase Poland’s rapidly growing gaming industry and has opened doors for many emerging studios.
More information about the Chamber, its mission, and its programs is available on its website.
The Polish American Chamber of Commerce Pacific Northwest (PACCPNW) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit business and professional organization dedicated to promoting Polish‑American industry, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The Chamber works to build strong, lasting bridges between Polish and American enterprises and enhances the economic vitality of its members through networking, mentoring, and education. PACCPNW collaborates with academia, NGOs, government agencies, and a wide range of industries across the Pacific Northwest, throughout the United States, and internationally. Through
The Seattle Polish Film Festival has announced the winner of its 2026 Poster Competition — Everett Goodyear, a Vancouver‑based screenwriter and graduate student in Cinema and Media Studies at the University of British Columbia. His bold, cinematic design was selected from 59 submissions, reflecting one of the strongest and most diverse pools of entries the festival has seen in recent years.
Festival organizers expressed gratitude to all participating artists, noting that the quality of this year’s submissions made the selection process both exciting and challenging. They emphasized that they “wish [they] could use all of the amazing designs” and encouraged artists to return with new work next year.
(What one visit to a museum can cause) A sharp focus on a fragment of one’s life can open suddenly on an early afternoon in a city that contains in its air a scent of the Pacific and is washed by a light of a low winter sun. The Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver is perched above a vast expanse of water through which ships enter the city’s harbor. A range of mountains to the
We all know this quote, and we all understand that making a difference in the community means getting involved. Seattle has many Polish community organizations that have been supporting people for decades. Over the next few weeks, I’ll highlight some of them. A shared challenge for all these groups is the shortage of volunteers. If you want to connect with fellow community members, give back, learn new skills, or share your knowledge, now is the perfect time to reach out and join.
GiveBIG 2026 wrapped up as another great success, thanks to everyone’s generosity. The Seattle Polish Foundation raised over $6,000 for cultural events, and this humble newsletter received $75. We’re truly grateful for every dollar contributed.
Hope to see you all tonight at the Polish Home Biesiada.
Three University of Washington faculty members have been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Their work spans environmental science, computing and engineering, addressing challenges ranging from climate resilience and ecosystem sustainability to artificial intelligence and accessible healthcare technologies. Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences recognizes leaders across disciplines whose work advances research, public policy and the common good. The Academy elects roughly 250 members each year. One of the scientists elected to this prestigious Academy is