‘OUR POLISH STORY’ PREMIERE, JUNE 10, 2007

More than six hundred guests turned out on Sunday, June 10th for the world premiere of ‘Our Polish Story’, a one-hour documentary on Detroit Polonia set to air June 16th on WXYZ.  Referred to as the ‘Flavors of Poland’, the event featured colorful dances, performances of Chopin, tongue-in-cheek but technically excellent rock by the Polish Muslims, displays of Polish sculpture and a traditional Polish feast provided by such landmark Detroit area establishments as Polish Market, Polonia Restaurant, Srodek’s and New Palace Bakery.  Cuisine was also presented by the Epoch Restaurant Group, whose CEO and President Toni Wisne has been a generous ‘Our Polish Story’ sponsor, along with numerous local Polish businesses and more than twenty individuals.

The event was held at Rock Financial Center’s Diamond Room, which is also a part of the Epoch Group.

Speakers included Dr. Thaddeus Radzilowski, President of the Piast Institute and Executive Director of the Piast Institute, Virginia Skrzyniarz, both of whom have been invaluable in assisting the ‘Our Polish Story’ on all levels; financially, culturally and historically; Executive Producer/Director Keith Famie, who created the documentary, and Keynote Speaker the Honorable Roman Gribbs, former Detroit Mayor.  Gribbs is of Polish descent.

The highlight of the evening, of course, was the screening of ‘Our Polish Story’, which chronicles the rich history of Polish Detroit, covering all aspects of the Polish experience, including religion, food, dance, music, and includes many very moving sequences that the Visionalist crew filmed in Poland as they returned with two members of Detroit’s Polish community in March.  The documentary was wonderfully well received, and set the tone for future ‘Our Story Of’ projects, including ‘Our Greek Story’, Our Arab American Story’ and ‘Our German’.

Benefits from the premiere evening went to the Polish Century Club Orphans Fund and the American Assistance Association, two organizations close to the heart of both Detroit Polonia and Visionalist Entertainment Productions.  A profile of a Detroit couple that adopted three Polish children in 1999 is included in the documentary.

Book signings by Dr. Thaddeus Radzilowski Ceil Jensen, Greg Kowalski and Norbert Schemansky were also featured.

"Our Polish Story" has been in development for ten months, and will be premiered to a television audience on WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) on June 16th at 7:00 PM.