Let the Polonaise Begin! A Ceremonial Dance Performed by Polish School Graduates

A record number of pairs danced the traditional polonaise on Cathedral Square on Wednesday, July 15. This year, for the first time, the event was attended not only by graduates from eight Vilnius schools, but also graduates from five schools in the Vilnius Region.

“This year’s novelty was also the fact that, for the first time, the polonaise was opened by school principals paired with the choreographers who prepared the students for the dance. In total, 198 pairs of graduates from Polish schools in Vilnius and the Vilnius Region performed, along with 9 pairs of principals and choreographers,” choreographer Danuta Mieczkowska-Kowalczuk tells “Kurier Wileński.”

In the heart of Vilnius, the sounds of the polonaise rang out, as graduates from the following schools danced together: Adam Mickiewicz High School, Saint John Paul II Gymnasium, Władysław Syrokomla Gymnasium, Szymon Konarski Gymnasium, Józef Ignacy Kraszewski Gymnasium, Joachim Lelewel Engineering Gymnasium, Grigiškės Gymnasium, Vilnius Lazdynai School, as well as pairs of graduates from: Avižieniai Gymnasium, Mickūnai Gymnasium, Zujūnai Gymnasium, Fr. Józef Obrembski Gymnasium in Maišiagala, and Stanisław Moniuszko Gymnasium in Kabiškės.

A Touching and Important Event

The school graduates gathered on Cathedral Square unanimously emphasized that dancing the polonaise together in the very heart of the city is an extremely moving and important event for each of them, a unique moment that will long remain in memory, symbolically marking the end of their school journey.

“First rehearsals began in May this year. Of course, our choreographers were quite strict with us, but we understood that without discipline, nothing could be achieved. I am very pleased with all these experiences,” said Kornelia Andruszkiewicz, a graduate of the Saint John Paul II Gymnasium.

Her schoolmate Oliwia Stankevičiūtė admitted that she was filled with immense emotions throughout the entire preparation period.

“During rehearsals, we united and enjoyed our last moments with our schoolmates. I am glad to participate in continuing our beautiful Polish tradition of the polonaise on Cathedral Square,” Oliwia said.

“The preparation period for the polonaise was not easy, but the great result rewarded all the effort. It was truly worth it, because dancing the polonaise in the very heart of the city will stay in our memory for a lifetime. It is a beautiful opportunity to showcase our identity and traditions and pass them on to future generations,” said Dominik Stankevičius, a graduate of the Joachim Lelewel Engineering Gymnasium.

Similarly, his schoolmate emphasized the unique significance of the event.

“The polonaise in the heart of the city is a very important event for me. These are the last moments spent with classmates and schoolmates before we move forward in life,” said Andrzej Kondaruk.

Mayor of Vilnius, Valdas Benkunskas, attended the ceremony with wishes for the Polish school graduates. He wished them courage to take on new challenges and to pursue their future plans and dreams.

For the first time, the capital’s municipality financially supported the organization of this special event, which has been aided for years by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Vilnius.

All the Pairs Performed Brilliantly

The polonaise composed by Wojciech Kilar for Andrzej Wajda’s film adaptation of Adam Mickiewicz’s “Pan Tadeusz” traditionally resounded across Cathedral Square. Danuta Mieczkowska-Kowalczuk was the creator of the spectacular choreography, and preparing a record number of graduates for the joint performance was possible thanks to the collaboration of a team of choreographers: Andrzej Kostygin, Teresa Andruszkiewicz, Aneta Kozłowska, Ewa Gulbinowicz-Abariūnė, Justyna Wasiukiewicz, Wiesław Gajżewski, and Anżelika Klimaszewska-Bartkevičienė.

Danuta Mieczkowska-Kowalczuk did not hide her contentment with the final result.

“All pairs performed brilliantly. The choreography turned out wonderfully, and many hours of practice during rehearsals together with the dedication of all participants brought a fantastic result. I am extremely proud of the dancers, their commitment, patience, and how beautifully they were able to present the routine we worked on together,” emphasized the choreographer of the polonaise.

Adam Błaszkiewicz, principal of the Saint John Paul II Gymnasium in Vilnius, took part in the event for the first time this year as a dancer, paired with Danuta Mieczkowska-Kowalczuk.

“This year, for the first time, school principals led the students in the polonaise. The polonaise is a part of today’s celebrations, because the graduation ceremony took place earlier today in the University Church of Sts. Johns, which, as a principal, makes me very happy,” said Adam Błaszkiewicz.

Many Vilnius residents, alongside numerous parents and grandparents, gathered to admire the graduates’ polonaise and cheer them on.

“It is with great joy that I watch our wonderful youth proudly performing the most beautiful of Polish dances – the polonaise. This extraordinary spectacle shows how tenderly we cherish our traditions, culture, and values, something we can all be proud of. I am also delighted that so many of us have gathered here today at Cathedral Square, and that we are all speaking in our native language. It is truly moving and incredibly important,” said Lila Kiejzik, manager and director of the Polish Theatre “Studio” in Vilnius.

The Tradition of Dancing the Polonaise

The tradition of Polish school graduates performing the polonaise in Vilnius’s public spaces began in 2015. At that time, graduates of Vilnius’s “Mickiewiczówka” danced it for the first time on Town Hall Square. In subsequent years, the event continued: in 2016, graduates from “Konarski” joined them, and they performed the polonaise together again in 2017. In 2019, graduates from “Syrokomlówka”, “Kraszewski”, and “Lelewel” joined as well.

The polonaise was danced on Cathedral Square for the first time in 2017 by the graduates of the Saint John Paul II Gymnasium. Graduates from “JPII” returned to this location in following years, and in 2019 they performed the polonaise together with graduates from “Konarski”.

In 2020, graduates from six Polish schools in Vilnius took part in the polonaise on Cathedral Square for the first time. In subsequent years, this tradition continued: in 2024, school graduates from seven Polish gymnasiums in the capital danced the polonaise; in 2025, graduates from eight Polish schools in Vilnius participated; while this year, pairs from five Polish gymnasiums in the Vilnius Region also took part alongside graduates from the eight Polish schools in the capital.

This year’s polonaise was the twelfth performance of the dance by Polish school graduates in a public space in Vilnius and the seventh joint performance on Cathedral Square.