Englishman Reacts to... Traditional Polish POLONEZ Dance

Let's look at a traditional Polish dance called the Polonez.
Original: • Studniówka 2022 POLONE...
Discord: / discord
OUR VLOG CHANNEL: Charlie & Rob - As We Are
bit.ly/3wqQf2U
Website: www.charlieandrob.com
Channel Membership: kzbin.info/door/Vrk...
Merch:
UK/Europe - rob-reacts-uk.myspreadshop.co.uk
Aus/America - rob-reacts-au.myspreadshop.com
If you would like to support me then 'Buy me a coffee': www.buymeacoffee.com/robreacts
If you would like to send me anything, send me a message on robreacts @ hotmail . com
#poland #polish #traditional #polonez

[@RobReacts1]

If you are enjoying my reactions to all things Poland, make sure you go and watch out trips to Poland on our vlog channel and subscribe! We have vlogs from Gdansk, Kraków and Wrocław. kzbin.info/aero/PLw4JaWCFm7FeHG7Ad5PtaZzoYd1Vq5EXW

[@ukaszm8461]

At mine prom after the Polonez we also dance a Waltz, whitch in Poland may be in to version, English when you dance on 3 steps, and Wien Waltz when you dance on 2 steps.

[@marekgodek8543]

- You ;-)) started discovering the real Poland. zycze poodzenia ))

[@beatapaolicchi4049]

Where is Warsaw?. This town was ruined in 100% during WWII and not only. Krakow didn’t suffer at all because freak Himmler took bribe & loved antics and art!. I know that you are from Poland but from Silesia !.

[@hanawasik637]

React to Belgijka

[@GosieKin]

Would you like to see Polonez on a bigger scale and with costumes on?

[@MAGDALENALUNIEWICZ]

It is called " studiówka", meaning 100 days left for your final examinations . The final party dance, POLONEZ , a traditional Polish dance, very elegant, very Royal.

[@orlenc8142]

''The final party dance'', Polonez is a first dance for open prom, not a last one.

[@MAGDALENALUNIEWICZ]

THE FINAL PARTY OF THE SEC EDUCATION@@orlenc8142

[@kopernik_elfka]

@@orlenc8142 I think there is a word order problem, being more precise: The open dance of final examination party (prom, studniówka), POLONEZ.

[@ulkamara5851]

It depends on the performers 😀

[@kingaanna2564]

Every class make different choreography.

[@annakasicka6184]

Mam 73 lata i do dnia dzisiejszego pamiętam jak na balu maturalnym tańczyłam poloneza to było bardzo piękne.

[@andrzejzawada6172]

Ja też .

[@majeranek1336]

Spoko ja mam 19 i nie pamiętam połowy studniówki a żeby nie zajebać się na polonezie to wyzerowaliśmy z ziomkami ćwiarteczkę

[@Affrica28]

@@majeranek1336😂😂😂

[@magdalenao7867]

​​@@majeranek1336 no @majeranek1336, to pokazałeś klasę tym komentarzem, tuż pod wspomnieniami starszych ludzi 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@michaelc643]

prostactwo i sloma z butow wystaje

[@Krokmaniak]

Important note: There is not "one choreography". There are basis and that's it. Each time every school changes basic choreography for the shape and size of the room and number of people. I for example had it on big ballroom and around 160 people dancing at once so there were parts that pairs were joining into eights and had choreography synchronized with other eights, etc

[@89Sawik]

And I had it in the school, so each class was dancing after each other. The preparation took several months before the main event - we were practicing once or twice a week.

[@Blue528.]

The Polonaise comes from the 17th century, a beautiful dance that gives me chills when I watch these young people entering adulthood. I danced the Polonaise about 30 years ago, I remember this day as if it were yesterday. Great respect for each other as genders.❤️

[@alh6255]

You are wrong: the polonaise was danced in villages and Polish noble manors already in the 15th century (as the so-called walking dance), and in the 16th century there were numerous mentions of it in literature or in the "circular magazines" of that time - the ancestors of newspapers with current information or guides. At that time it was called "chodzony" (walking) or "Polish dance". In the 17th century, the polonaise was recognized as a national polish dance by the aristocracy, and all balls began to be danced with it (as the "opening dance"). It became fashionable both at the Polish royal court and very quickly throughout Europe. The name "polonaise" means is l"Polish" in French.

[@marvju209]

Polonezem otwierano bale, bo była to forma powitania i zaprezentowania się przed gospodarzem czy królem. Dlatego w tym tańcu jest tyle godności i wdzięku

[@piotrkorzeniewski8539]

Tradycja 🙂 wszyscy to tańczą 😀 Moja mama, mój tato, ja i mój syn ❤ i niech tak zostanie na zawsze 😊

[@piotrkorzeniewski8539]

@@XYZ-nh9by przykro mi, że nie tańczyłeś...

[@melciaoban6454]

-tak piękny Polonez ❤ 😍niech trwa ,i oby w przyszłości to nie był jakiś kazaczok🤨 czy inne moskalskie podrygi😂

[@anulaka6766]

Zatańczyć Poloneza na balu maturalnym to jest COŚ ! To jest jedna z niewielu rzeczy, które przeżywa się i pamięta do końca życia :)

[@bogusawajankowska256]

Ten polski taniec ma kilkaset lat i tańczenie Poloneza na rozpoczęciu Balu Maturalnego to poprostu nasza tradycja. Nie wyobrażam sobie, że gdzieś by go nie było, to niemożliwe.

[@alicjabilinska245]

Ósmoklasiści na zakończeniu Szkoły Podstawowej też tańczą

[@bogusawajankowska256]

@@XYZ-nh9by a ty nie Polak pewnie jesteś skoro nazywasz polską tradycję dziwactwem 😁

[@justynadzt7728]

I danced the polonaise four times in my life. Twice during school balls, once at a wedding party and once in the town square during a Polish culture festival. Every Pole danced the polonaise at least once.

[@DaivaDarpana]

*Every Pole danced the polonaise at least once.* Not EVERY. No imagination to write things like that.

[@worldcitizen181]

@@DaivaDarpana Przestań pisać te duperele. Jeśli nie tańczyłeś poloneza to znaczy, że faktycznie jesteś z patologii i nie chodziłeś do szkoły tylko całe życie przesiedziałeś w piwnicy.

[@blackcrow4218]

@@DaivaDarpana Yes maybe if you live under the rock you didn't dance this

[@DaivaDarpana]

@@blackcrow4218 seems like none of you have any idea about the life. Pure stupidity.

[@magdam1508]

@@blackcrow4218 People who hadn't had studniówka yet are Poles too :))

[@brichert9945]

Mam 62 lata tańczyłam poloneza na balu maturalnym to jest nasza Polska tradycja pozdrawiam

[@andrzejzawada6172]

Ja też !

[@agnieszkawiniarz]

I ja❤

[@andrzejjaworski2152]

I graduated from high school (Electrical Technical School) 50 years ago, but even then, during the prom, we danced the ceremonial Polonaise, raising the profile of the high school prom. It's a beautiful Polish tradition. This year, a month ago, we had a class meeting and we danced the Polonaise again with great pleasure. All my friends smiled while dancing and no one forgot the steps or choreography.

[@JegoBejbi]

Jak słyszę poloneza to mam ciarki, bo wracają wspomnienia ze studniówki 25 lat temu

[@karolinabarestrand1707]

Czuje sie podobnie ❤ U mnie to juz prawie 30 lat ❤

[@kurczakpe]

U mnie niedługo 40

[@barbarakowalska9472]

Polonez, przepięknie wspomnienie i przeżycie. Piękna nasza tradycja na rozpoczęcie balu studniówkowego. Każdego roku i w każdej szkole choreografia wygląda trochę inaczej. Taniec jest ćwiczony przez 1-2 miesięcy. A jeśli ktoś chce poznać i bardziej zrozumieć dlaczego Polonez jest ważny, to obejrzyjcie film "Pan Tadeusz"

[@kurczakpe]

@@barbarakowalska9472 To zależy , w mojej szkole (technikum) raczej , dziewczyn nie było , wiec to były maksymalnie 2-3 spotkania z dziewczynami które zaprosiliśmy na "bal" - wyszło całkiem całkiem ,to kiedyś było inaczej jednak - duużo biedniej

[@lisek1958]

@@kurczakpe Codzilam do Technikum Samocodowego i w klasie bylo nas cztery dziewczyny.Na balu maturalnym oczywiscie tanczylismy Poloneza.Chlopcy w parze ze swoimi towarzyszkami tanca,a dziewczyny z chlopcami,ktorych zaprosily.Bylo pieknie.Wszystko zalezy od checi oranizacji.

[@bawa311]

The polonaise was a dance performed by the Polish nobility. The lower classes preferred more lively dances, such as obereks. It's part of the Polish national tradition. This is how every Polish prom begins.

[@TheRezro]

For reminder. Pulka is from Czechia, not Poland.

[@imienazwisko3774]

@@TheRezro Polka, which means in polish "polish girl", yes I can believe our neighbors from the south were so fascinated by their neighbors from the north that they invented a dance in their honor

[@TheRezro]

@@imienazwisko3774 There is no such Polish dance like Polka. Name come from world meaning "half" in Czech.

[@imienazwisko3774]

@@TheRezro any reference to a dictionary dude? Otherwise I would recommend taking only halve of what you take.

[@TheRezro]

@@imienazwisko3774 Are you stoned?

[@AgnieszkaMaat]

The polonaise is one of the five Polish national dances, it is a walking dance, slow, majestic, and probably the easiest to learn :) Polish national dances are folk dances that have spread throughout Poland. Traditionally, there are five national dances: Krakowiak, Polonaise, Mazur, Oberek and Kujawiak. If you are interested in this topic, Rob, please watch these dances performed by the Mazowsze folk dance group (famous and giving concerts all over the world) or the Śląsk band (these are the two most famous groups representing traditional Polish dances in beautiful folk settings, they sing, dance and make music). There are a lot of videos on YT, I recommend them. And probably all Poles danced the polonaise at least once in their lives, e.g. at prom. ❤️

[@DaivaDarpana]

*And probably all Poles danced the polonaise at least once in their lives* Sounds like all Polish pps have reached the mature exam that ofc is not true.

[@dorotabarbowska2184]

@@DaivaDarpana It's also danced sometimes at the end of kindergarten, at the end of primary school (used to be practiced at the end of "gymnasium") or to start weddings and New Year Eve balls, national holidays and anniversaries ,so even those who did not reach the maturity exam have a chance ...

[@DaivaDarpana]

@@dorotabarbowska2184 not every Polish pps danced it at least one time - that is the matter of fact. This what You write refers mainly to persons from so-called good families. There are many pathologies who never heard about that in their entire life.

[@ulkamara5851]

One of the best performances of Polish dances "oberek": Польский танец "Оберек". Балет Игоря Моисеева.

[@dorotabarbowska2184]

@@ulkamara5851That version of oberek that you recommend is very nice but... looks more Russian to me than Polish. The moves are so smooth and the dancer's spines are so stretched.. . It looks like old-school Russian ballet more than Polish folk dance ( what it actually is...). I prefer the Polish version of Polish dances and Russian version of Russian dances.For example : "Kujawiak i oberek - 45 lecie Zespołu Pieśni i Tańca Uniwersytetu Rzeszowskiego "Resovia Saltans"

[@pathfinderpolska]

❤ My grandfather was the chairman of the school board and lived in a small town with medieval architecture. When it was my prom, he wanted to do something different at all costs, so in the banquet hall, as usual, a polonaise started and he took the most beautiful teacher and took the polonaise outside to the town square, where he had previously arranged a real orchestra. Everyone knew how to dance because it was like dancing to the beat of a polonaise and the choreography was initiated by the first couple. We walked the polonaise around the market square for several minutes, dancing to the music played by the orchestra, and returned to the hall where the polonaise traditionally ended. More than 10 years have passed since then, my grandfather is dead, but the polonaise he led until now is remembered as an urban legend. I thought my grandfather would embarrass me then, but this gesture turned out to be an epic memory for everyone and now I'm trying to figure out how to do the same when my children graduate from high school.

[@avocado2864]

Niesamowita historia ❤

[@Kathbelle]

Moja studniówka była w 1988, do dziś pamiętam tego poloneza, choć na pewno nie mieliśmy tak pięknych strojów i wspaniałej choreografii. Każdy z tańczących bardzo przeżywał ten występ, a sama nauka tańca zajęła nam ok. tygodnia. Tańczyliśmy do poloneza Ogińskiego "Pozegnanie ojczyzny". 😀

[@karolpalion2883]

A few fun facts about this dance: - The students in this video did a particularly involved routine for a high school prom; they must have practiced it for some time. Usually it's just walking around with that little dip every third pace. - The melody they're dancing to is the polonaise composed by Wojciech Kilar for the 1999 screen adaptation of "Pan Tadeusz", the Polish national epic. Before that, the most popular polonaise at proms was the one composed by Michał Kleofas Ogiński in 1794. - The best known polonaises are of course those composed by Frederic Chopin, but they're not very danceable. - A majestic polonaise that was originally danced at Polish royal coronations has been repurposed as a popular Christmas carol, "Bóg się rodzi" ("God Is Born"). You could dance to it in theory, but nobody does. - There is also a Presidential Polonaise composed by John Philip Sousa for U.S. President Chester Arthur, who didn't care for "Hail to the Chief". It didn't catch on, though. - The tradition of dancing polonaise at special events, like proms, weddings and balls, has been nominated for inclusion in the Unesco list of world intangible heritage. - The craziest situation when I danced polonaise was when my friends and I got drunk on Ogiński vodka. We were dancing outdoors around a campfire. What a great memory!

[@dorotabarbowska2184]

" The tradition of dancing polonaise at special events, like proms, weddings and balls, has been nominated for inclusion in the Unesco list of world intangible heritage." I had no idea about that. Thanks for sharing this info.👍

[@Martinus777]

Underrated comment. Thank you for providing this background!

[@jeyparker3]

now there's also a third option of the polonez music - the one from "czas honoru" composed by bastosz chajdecki. i've seen some videos from proms with this music and it was just as wonderful.

[@dorotabarbowska2184]

@@jeyparker3 any link or suggestion where to google the videos you mention?

[@jeyparker3]

@@dorotabarbowska2184 try "polonez studniówka czas honoru" in youtube. that's how i've found them

[@barbaradrawska2122]

Coś pieknego. Poloneza tanczysz jeden raz w życiu. Piekny taniec narodowy i piekna muzyka.Wiekowa tradycja dworska.😊😊😊😊❤❤❤

[@007Boksik]

2:59 That's because in Polish culture it's not a big deal to dance with someone, so dancing doesn't mean any kind of relationship

[@samoht.p]

The choreography of the Polonaise dance has been the same for years. It is a tradition in Polish schools that at the end of high school, 100 days before the final exams, students have a ball and the Polonaise is danced at each ball. It is a national dance originating from court times (you rightly associated it with castles). It is considered the oldest national dance. Students volunteer to dance because for them it is an honorable approach and an honorable decision and they simply want to cultivate it (maybe with minor exceptions where the teacher encourages and convinces them to participate in this dance). These are amateurs, so some of them may look stressed and focused. They learn this dance in their last year of high school. The ball begins with this dance, which then becomes loose and arbitrary. In pair, without pair, as he prefers. Every year in every high school, the last grade participates in such a ball and starts it with such a dance. Moreover, many schools, especially vocational schools, teach traditional dances and these are extracurricular activities. And believe me, they are willing to learn it and every year new students who want to dance come and replace those who finish school. And the continuity of such dance groups has been maintained over the years. Of course, it is also tradition that students also put on a theater performance. Mostly humorous about teachers and themselves. In the last year of school, they rehearse such a theater and music performance. Personally, I did not dance the Polonaise, but many of my colleagues volunteered to dance it. But I participated in the mentioned theater performance. I think it's a great tradition. It is not only about fun, but also about self-development and taking care of our Polish identity.

[@MikrySoft]

My school memory is somewhat different. First, this is not the only choreography possible for this dance. I remember from my own studniówka a couple of figures that were not present here (like the line folding in on itself - first pair turns back and goes, crouching or bowing, through tunnel made from stretched hands of other dancers) Second, there was no choice given if you wanted to participate or not. I have heard threats that grades would be lowered, at the very least. I don't think even not going to the party would be a valid excuse, you would have to show up, dance, then leave, at least when the party is organized, as was in my case, at school. I think there was even talk about borrowing students from other schools, or at least younger classes, to balance out the pairs. I seriously doubt many people wanted to waste hours each week, mere months before final exams on learning a dance they would most likely never use again.

[@blackcrow4218]

@@MikrySoft It's your culture so why not ? Every culture has their own dances. I never was forced to dance this but I wanted to cose it's part of my haritage. Everyone have their own choreography.

[@MikrySoft]

@@blackcrow4218 I went to high school in Warsaw, Poland, so yes, it is "my culture", but I would very much prefer leaving traditional dances to professionals, or, at the very least, volunteers. I was given no choice if I wanted to dance or not, and if given one, I would opt out immediately - I don't dance at all, anything. As I stated earlier, it was a waste of time to learn it, add to that having to find a partner or get one assigned randomly (out of the girls nobody asked), then having to listen to comments about my performance (or the lack of it) for months afterwards. I don't think I would even go at all if I didn't get roped into being A/V tech support for a show my class was performing in between Polonez and the "normal" party. II had OK fun, mostly because the whole school was available but dancing was only in the gym. The only highlight was getting to play with copious amounts of dry ice we bought for SFX and then used for smoking drinks.

[@blackcrow4218]

@@MikrySoft Ok so Warsaw that's why I was never forced to dance i wanted this and I'm not an excellent dancer too. It's not about being professional our ancestors danced like this and they were not professionals. But I get your point it's not your cup of tea .

[@elapiolunowska1059]

Przepiękny staropolski taniec , przecudowny , przepiękna tradycja 🙏🍀❤️🇵🇱🌹

[@dominikakranc2610]

Man… my polonez was almost 30min 😂 we practiced it since October to February, there were 76 dancing couples, we had part were we were dancing with our parents and teachers and it was amazing experience overall

[@arczi6660]

Piękne dziewczęta, eleganckie chłopaki, mam nadzieję, że mieliście zajebistą studniówkę

[@marcingryko6872]

I remember when I've danced polonez at my prom. There were a lot of rehearsals before but it was worth it. Good old days :p

[@crala9209]

I have tears in my eyes when I hear the Polonaise, all high school memories come back. Good memories. In my highschool we practised the polonaise during sport classes or after school lessons. It was a bit stresfull that time. It took us half year to learn the choreography and it was much more difficult than on this video. It is a tradition that my high school has one of the most difficult choreography from all of the high schools in my city till these days. Our dance lasted 25 minutes and there were about 100 pairs of dancing young people together in two groups which combined at the end. It was very spectacular. We could dance with our boyfriends or girlfriends but they had to practice with us. Some girls danced together in a pair because there weren't enough boys and for example they didn't want to dance with their partners from outside the school.

[@fakeyReal]

Tradition is in hearts of every polish man and woman, so it doesn't matter if its awkward, it must be done!

[@papillon9666]

Jest nagranie Polskich uczniów z Wilna , tam się czuło ,że to jest polski taniec i emocje między tańczącymi. A w tym roku był piękny pokaz Poloneza w polskim stroju narodowym . Na tym samym placu w Wilnie.

[@dorotabarbowska2184]

Rob, watch "Zamość Bicie Rekordu Guinnessa - Polonez" Guiness world record in polonaise dance performed in Zamość in 2013 on the anniversary of Polish Constitution. There are kindergarten kids, primary school pupils, university students, members of folk dance groups, senior club members, ordinary citizens... I'd love to see your reaction to this as well.

[@JamesKleptomaniac]

The polonaise is always the first dance at a studniówka ("student ball"), the Polish equivalent of the senior prom that occurs approximately 100 days before exams, hence its name "studniówka" or literally in Polish "the ball of the hundred days". (via Wikipedia) I loved to dance it in folklore dance group. We didn't have enough boys so we had girl girl pairs. Also at my studniówka I danced with teacher. About learning it's depends of how many figures is planned. For our ball was about two weeks of practice but we didn't have a lot figures. Some need more practise because we need to do exact figure with specific melodic line. Also when it's spontaneous polonez dance there is wodzirej (bellwether) who tell everyone which figure is next~

[@Zosia.B]

My eyes are full of tears when I look at these wonderful young Poles. I also once participated in a polonaise procession. To answer your question: Polonaise is usually taught in physical education classes from the beginning of college.

[@RobReacts1]

It was really nice to watch! It felt a bit like them joining adulthood

[@Zosia.B]

@@RobReacts1 These young people are not yet aware that they will one day remember this first ball with tears in their eyes. Regards

[@chibimaron1992]

Tańczyłam poloneza na koniec 6 klasy, potem na koniec gimnazjum i w końcu na koniec liceum. Do dzisiaj mi się łezka w oku kręci. Głównie jak przypomnę sobie ile razy wszyscy na siebie wpadaliśmy na próbach 😁

[@mariahermanowicz8942]

Hi Rob! I love this channel! And I love Polonez Dance. This melody of Polonez is from movie based on poem written by Adam Mickiewicz “Pan Tadeusz”, and this melody is very popular in mature exam parties in this times. My mom was dancing this to an older melody of Polonez. I was dancing to this melody. There were around 20 hours of preparations during PE lessons, and less important classes, sometimes after school. It’s not very difficult dance, the most important is walking in the rhytm of Polonez, then a class works on the figures. The choreography usually is different in each class. Please check the last scenes in “Pan Tadeusz” movie - there is also Polonez. 💃🏼

[@user-ij5ri8kk9u]

przepieknie wykonany polonez, brawo

[@MAGDALENALUNIEWICZ]

Eveyone attended STUDNIÓWKA and we learned that dance at the school gym.

[@margopollner3887]

Spectacular music and dance, fantastic young people.

[@dorotafranz5996]

Tańczyłam 38 lat temu .jak słyszę muzykę .to wspomnienia wracają ......pa pa

[@szalona_alicja4808]

I danced it in preschool (well, the simpler version) for the independence day and it took several months to rehearse

[@agnieszkaoberc2635]

In Wrocław there is a tradition of dancing polonez in the market square, near Fredra's monument. It is called "polonez for Fredra", and happens every year around the prom season (so in winter, about 100 days before exams). Students from the final year of high school, their teachers, and often the president of the city take part in this event. According to tradition, if you dance, you will pass your final high school exams :). The dance uses just the basic steps, as there are a lot of people and no time for rehearsal, and the weather sometimes is awful, but it is great fun.

[@kociewiak208]

Kurka, popłakałem się :)

[@urszulakoscielak4374]

Polonaise, this dance ceremonially opens every prom, it is a difficult routine, students practically learn it in their final year, so they make sure not to make mistakes, but at the same time it is a truly royal and solemn dance, hence their seriousness.

[@x4mm4x]

As a complementary video you can also watch this cool ending scene from "Pan Tadeusz" where they are dancing Polonez on the engagement party wearing tradition Polish suites :)

[@beatapaolicchi4049]

Piekna, elegancka tradycja. Nasz przepiekny Polonez 🇵🇱🌹

[@kalkol21]

1. That dance start every Polish prom. 2. Polonaise was dance on my wedding party. 3. That is easy to learn if you are not in the first pair. That complicated dance was train on some 10 hours before my prom.

[@pasadaartcraft750]

Piękne, dostojne wykonanie. Przeżycie, które wspomina się do końca życia ze wzruszeniem, bo to nasza polska tradycja pielęgnowana od pokoleń. Był czas, kiedy Polskę wymazano z map świata i zakazano nam wszystkiego co polskie, dlatego uparcie w nas samych nosiliśmy to co polskie i z ojca na syna, matki na córkę potajemnie uczyliśmy i przekazywaliśmy nasze tradycje. Dlatego dla nas to takie ważne i to się nie zmieni.

[@Ewa74.74]

W mojej szkole na koniec 8 klasy ( mając po 14 lat) tańczyliśmy już Poloneza.To było ponad 35 lat temu.Zwyczaj jest kultywowany po dzień dzisiejszy. Teraz to dzieci w Przedszkolu tańczą.Pozdrawiam Serdecznie.

[@VixenMice]

The song used in this video is Polonez by Wojciech Kilar from "Pan Tadeusz" movie. I danced polonaise only once during my studniówka, and it was not so expanded. Moreover, we had two groups. The first group: almost every person who danced the simpliest version of this dance, and the second group (10 pairs of students) with choreography like in this video. I don't know why someone came up with this idea. Other high schools in my town had only one version of polonaise.

[@tymondabrowski12]

In my school every class had their own choreography because they wouldn't all fit in the space together at the same time anyway.

[@phoearwenien4355]

To answer the questions: 1) Yes, I danced it at my prom 2) I also danced it at my sister's wedding, as it's a great occasion to dance polonaise 3) It took me a few hours to learn, it's easier than it looks (at least for me).

[@agaanta6878]

Yes I did this dance of course! Everyone leaving high school dances it on "studniówka" (Polish name of prom, cause it takes place 100 days before final exams). It is old tradition. And yes, we do practise it, it's very important and everyone wants this dance to look beautiful.

[@maami8965]

Don't be surprised that they know when to move, there were many hours of training there. In my times people danced to Ogiński's Polonaise.

[@RobReacts1]

Yea that's what I said, they must practice a decent amount

[@worldcitizen181]

@@RobReacts1 It looks as follows. In the final year of high school, the choreography of the polonaise is established in physical education lessons and taught throughout the year. At the beginning of the school year, couples are determined and it is taught in every other lesson. The polonaise itself is not difficult as the first couple is the ringleader and the rest do the same. The steps are simple. The only problem is the choreography, which has to be learned by heart.

[@mariostepien4526]

Pamiętam do dzisiaj mojego maturalnego poloneza 👍to było dobre 👍

[@mariaok8832]

Myślę że wszyscy maturzyści w Polsce tańczą poloneza na stuniówce🎉. Myśmy ćwiczyli około miesiąca i tańczyli tylko uczmiowie. Mieliśmy chyba prostrzą choreovrafię i było dużo śmiechu gdy w połowie padło nagłośnienie 😂 a my przez kilka taktów tańczyliśmy. Gdy dźwięk znów został wzmocniony pkazało się że wszyscy trzymali krok. 😅

[@yagushka]

Brings a tear to my eye. Miss Poland 🇵🇱 and this was me almost 30 years ago

[@agnieszkazuk]

I'm glad you've reacted to this! Thanks! Now, I must watch more of it :-) I love watching polonez and other national dances. I didn't dance it in my Studniówka beacuse there were a lot of other people who wanted to dance so I passed. I commuted to my high school and the rehearsals were in the evenings.

[@_IthinkIlikewhenitrains]

Ahh the memories… Just hearing the music made me tear up. So incredibly proud of this Polish tradition of ours. I danced mine 10 years ago, now living in the UK and thinking that my children won’t get to experience it makes me sad. As to the number of partners Rob, when my year did it, everyone could ask anyone to the prom even outside of the school. But now to think about it there was never a class with a much greater number of girls over boys or the other way around. It was always almost even or very close to it. And because the prom is for all last years (3rd year of high school) we had all 8 classes (3a-3h) and 200 students dancing together, so even if my class had an uneven ratio of boys to girls, we would pair up with a person from another class to make up for it and so everyone can take part. It was amazing! For the first time I would actually look forward to every PE class in my 3rd year as this was when we would practice the dance. Thank you for reminding me of this time in my life😊

[@biao-czerwony7557]

Oh, I remember those times, how much time we spent on rehearsals in the last year of high school to do well😁

[@mariuszmaek3854]

I love your reactions, so insightful. Keep goin :)

[@marekjakimiuk9686]

it's been months of rehearsals and it's super cool, I danced myself and it's a huge Polish tradition, and then there's a huge party

[@dorotabarbowska2184]

I was waiting for your reaction to polonaise and finally got it 😄.Polonaise is something you dance at the end of school but also at any formal occasion connected with education and not only (sometimes at weddings, New Year Eve balls, important anniversaries et.). This year my high school celebrated it's 100th anniversary, we had a polonaise dance for about 500 people. Our choreography was simple - not practiced before, but I definitely had tears in my eyes dancing it. The dance is formal and respectful so the serious faces do not mean that someone did not like being there, it's more likely showing the importance, focus and seriousness of the situation.

[@djmindcrasher]

A fun fact: one of the oldest and most famous Polish Christmas carols "Bóg się rodzi" is also a polonaise.

[@janekovalsky3050]

Koronacyjnym

[@marcingargol390]

Ohhh. I do remember my one 25 years ago, such lovely memories 😊 thanks for this video

[@barbaramacmillian1658]

Really lovely thanks for Showing Rob

[@RobReacts1]

Did you do dances similar back in the day babz?

[@lilithx8125]

I'm polish but i've never got to dance polonaise, as I had to move out from my country when I was still 14. I really regret missing out on it. truly heart breaking, not being able to participate in my own traditions.

[@BumborV1]

There is nothing to miss. I skipped it on purpose and didn't came to prom either. Boring af

[@Vengir]

Fun fact, the current version of the music was made for the film "Pan Tadeusz" in 1999. Polish people basically dance to an extended movie soundtrack.

[@redfurretz3624]

When You said „cześć! Witaj na kanale!” My heart melted. I know how hard is the pronunciation is and i’m so happy to hear You making such great progress.

[@paczegpaczeg7368]

Yep, I was dancing Polonez at the end of gymnasium, prom and even at wedding and every time it hits with pride and nostalgia! I love this dance, it's quite simple and beautiful ❤

[@007Boksik]

10:40 Answers to your questions: 1. No, because my (high school) prom was cancelled due to COVID 2. I did this dance at the elementary school graduation ceremony/party 3. It's actually quite simple to learn PS Nowadays it's more popular to dance BELGIJKA besides or even instead POLONEZ

[@djmindcrasher]

Belgijka? Instead of polonez? What an abomination

[@Blue528.]

We learned the Polonaise after lessons for several weeks, there was a lot of stress because everyone wants to do well. I invited my cousin because I didn't have a boyfriend, so I spent my time learning to interest my friends. My cousin loved music, Back Sabbath was not his thing, he didn't like the Polonaise, but he coped. It was great.

[@AnnaKier-tp6rz]

I have dance Polonez in 1998. You have just me about that time. Thank you so much. I’m planning to show my dance to my daughter who just started college in UK

[@aggzieMCR]

Why did this make me cry haha my own prom was 15 years ago and I will never forget the polonez dance 😊

[@lolacroww9769]

i was fortunate enough to dance it at the 'prom' of my primary school :) I'm so happy i did cause i ended up not having a prom experience as i studied abroad afterwards. It took us a couple of months i think to learn it, but obviously our version was simplified. It gives me chills everytime i watch it, it's so beautiful! I still remember who i danced with and that we were laughing how our hands were sweating cause we were both nervous 😅 Beautiful memory actually 😊 I wish I'd have another opportunity to dance it one day

[@RobReacts1]

We have proms for our secondary school. But I didn't go as my girlfriend went to a different school.

[@lynn4ya]

I took part in the polonaise dance at the end of my primary school (aged 15-16) - both at the prom and at the graduation assembly. All graduating students back then were required to dance (as ordered by the teachers) and since we had more girls than boys, some friends asked the boys in the younger classes to do it. We rehearsed during more relaxed lessons (like PE) for a few weeks. And that was the first and last time I bought a pair of high heels :D These weeks of practice were also for us, 15-year-old girls, to learn how to walk properly - it was more difficult than dancing haha When I graduated from high school (so aged 18-19), there was also a polonaise at the end, but in my high school it was for volunteers, usually real couples, who could choose to participate. To be honest, there were so many people who wanted to join that the teachers had to turn some couples down because they wouldn't all fit in our school hall ;)

[@mandalla1530]

Cześć Rob! Tańczyłam poloneza i w szkole podstawowej i w liceum. Pracuję w przedszkolu i u nas co roku "starszaki" tańczą poloneza przed odejściem do szkoły. Pozdrawiam serdecznie !

[@magdalenaokon7603]

I was astonished while watching the video as I also had the honour to dance there at my prom! Great that you appreciate our tradition :D

[@Anea3]

At my school we learned this dance for the entire six months before the prom as part of physical education - twice a week. I was still very nervous, but it was great.

[@Zosia.B]

The first mention of the polonaise comes from the second half of the 16th century, and already in the 17th century it was accepted by magnate courts. At that time, courtiers and diplomats from Western Europe were the first to describe walking dancing. According to their reports, it was performed in pairs consisting of two women and two men. The polonaise was practiced during important court ceremonies. Currently, it has become a symbol of graduating from college and transitioning into adult life (eighteen-year-olds in Poland receive an ID card and become legal adults). But the court tradition, the tradition of the Polish nobility, remained, the polonaise is danced elegantly in elegant clothes.

[@niuffka7962]

Wspomnienia wracają i łezka się kręci w oku na wspomnienie

[@playkristiano-lo9yt]

Yes, I do remember when I danced it. It is formal and majestic dance, a minuet. Beautiful memories.

[@yuukonen]

Also you gotta react to OBEREK, that's definetly my favorite polish dance, so much is going on you'd be surprised

[@BykuSwinioMordo]

I remember dancing it on the prom. More stressful than matura itself :D Dance itself is easy, steps are easy, the only complication are all those figures. But for sure it's a dance that everyone can learn even if you're very bad at dancing and that's why it's being danced on proms. Edit: I also remeber that on my prom I danced with my boyfriend who was not form my school and he only was on one practice. So it's absolutely possible to learn it very fast

[@s47y0v]

I did my prom Polonez 20 years ago. Loved it!

[@notallieberry]

Yes I did lol. I’m in Canada for 35 years now . Thank you for sharing this , ❤ it melted my heart !

[@mikeivanmusic]

My final exams were like 3 years ago and I also danced "The Polonaise" on Studniówka (as someone explained it is a party on 100 days before final exams) and mine was very very different as on this video. It was with much easier figures and gone not as it was planned by our teachers because everyone made mistakes in steps, switching pairs, walking off of the pairs etc.

[@navynavy1449]

I danced 14 minutes at my prom (100 days before matura exam) and TVN 24 polish television filmed that and took some interviews from us :D It was in Warsaw 64th high school, Witkacy. We practiced half of P.E lessons in last semester to master this dance XD

[@anulkaaw]

For my prom each class would pick out the music and design their own choreography. We had several rehearsals and were super proud of our performance. Definitely one of the best high school memories.

[@azor1985]

I was on 4 proms and everyone of them had this dance with little bit different choreography. Learning that is preaty easy when You know basics and more complicated choreography are taking longer to learn usually for month. This dance is our tradition on those proms.

[@oliwik8828]

Every polish person knows this dance! It is so nice to see that someone is interested in our culture ♡ Btw another dance common for school partys in poland is belgijka, which is actually is not from Poland, but it is really fun and a lot of people actually love to dance it.

[@pawelzielinski1398]

WTF is belgijka?? I guess I am too old to know that.

[@alicjakonopka5979]

@@pawelzielinski1398 the real name of this dance is Chapelloise. It is French dance that is for some reason called "Belgijka" in Poland. It is popular among the scouts but also on convents etc. As you switch partner every "round", it is good for integration of groups.

[@jus4795]

@@alicjakonopka5979 It's called "Belgijka" because people dance it to a song "'t Smidje" from a Belgian band Laïs

[@TakTylkoJa]

1) i have danced this at the end of every school: primary, secondary and high school 2) I've danced it also during weddings (first dance for all party) 3) in school we usually had rechersals during last semester but this dance can be improvised (and usually was back in the days). You only have to have two experienced leader couples at front, and the rest of the party is following.

[@ewelinaszymanska7614]

Yeees! Great memories. It took almost whole school year to lern. Ours was more complicated, more figures involved. Whenever I hear this music i have tears in my eyes 😊 Thank you for your effort, it's great that you want to know more about Poland and Poles. ❤

[@margr00]

I danced Polonez a few times. Two times at Stódniówka, and a few times at the opening of Wieczysty ballroom dance tournament. It is a tradition to open this tournament with Polonez and the choreography is always spontaneous - in fact two first couples decide about everything :). Usually it is more than 100 couples dancing together. All participants take part together with judges in Polononez.

[@Pawlo370]

we have 2 schools: primaty school (8 years) and medium school (4-5 years) and we are dancing this before 100 days to end the school (studniówka - stu - 100 and dniówka - days) and after polonez everyone sitting and eating, i don't remember how long i was learning dancing but i think 1-1,5 months

[@crazyfrytka]

I add some things to other comments. :) 1. The dance is supposed to be easy. All you need is first four pairs to know the routine well, so the rest can just follow them. Of course, the dance is practised at school before the event, but keep in mind that some of the dancers aren't from given school, so they don't know the routine at all and just follow the rest. 2. It is getting popular at weddings - sometimes as a big entrance and sometimes instead of the newlywed's first dance. Almost everyone was taught basics of this dance, so they are able to just follow the first pairs without knowing the routine at all. 3. In some school, there are school's officials (like a principal) in the first pair(s). 4. And yea, students are forced to do this (if they are attending to studniówka), so some of them aren't too excited about dancing. 5. Dance can go on and go on, but it is usually around few minutes. But it is sooo slow and repetitive, it can feel like much longer.

[@ewamaria8898]

I danced it at my prom too😊 As far as I remember there was a group of students in my college who had learnt the choreography and they started. Later on we all joined and danced together. I did enjoy it a lot. I danced it at some other occasions too (once in Croatia when me and my friends had a party with people from other countries and were supposed to present something typically Polish😁).

[@ellier21]

Love that prom tradition. It takes time to prepare the choreography and get all people at least once to practice but it’s lots of laughs and memories. Would do it again in a heartbeat!

[@robertkukuczka9469]

I remember dancing it twice. One year before my maturity because there was a lack of boys, and one more time a year later. I loved it.

[@spotlight3465]

Hi Rob, I am shocked that you found such traditions as dancing the Polonaise. The first time I danced the Polonaise was at the age of 12 at the end of elementary school, I remember that we stayed after school and just practiced with the teachers in the school gymnasium, If there was a shortage of girls or boys to pair up with then you took them from one grade below. In high school, on the other hand, your partner didn't have to be from the school. I, for one, have very positive memories of this dance : )

[@6gina07]

I remember learning the Polonaise and to this moment in my life 6 years after graduation it's my favourite moment of the last year in high school. It just was something special dancing it with my friends.

[@sebastian-ic1mz]

Nice video, very majestic dance, traditional. I learned when I was 5yo, but actually it gives you an honour if you can dance it

[@stanisawaszymanska281]

Nauczyciele dostają kwiaty to podziekowania. Nikt nikogo nie zmusza nie chcesz nie tańczysz powaga musi być będziesz się chichotał pomyślą że jest z tobą coś nie tak to jest tradycja zatańczyć poloneza coś wspaniałego pamiątka że ukończyłeś maturę jest piosenka czerwone gitary ( matura )

[@paulinacyganek7440]

I wish I had the opportunity to dance the polonaise at my prom. But unfortunately, I moved to London when I was a teenager 😢 The only time I remember dancing it was when I performed in children's folk dance group back in Poland.

[@lokmanmerican6889]

Wow, this looks great! Imagine this done in a grand ballroom, with high ceilings and a live orchestra at the side somewhere. Would take your breath away (so to speak)