May is Polish Heritage Month, recognizing the Polish diaspora’s many contributions to Canadian society. Established in 1926, the Polish Friendship ZGODA Society has been a cornerstone of Polish culture in the lower mainland and beyond. Current president Andre Matuszewski plans to continue that legacy despite emerging challenges. With an aging membership the Society is looking for new ways to engage the younger generation– beginning with a 5-year.
“We’ve been looking to communicate and find in the Polish diaspora friends which we could share [the history and culture of Poland], and also share our successes with the Canadian society,” says Matuszewski.
Generational changes
Matuszewski immigrated to Canada in 1979 and has been a member of the Society since 1983. He has seen the organization through various stages, serving twice as its vice-president in the 1980s. He recalls the organization’s support to Polish citizens during their country’s transition from communism to democracy.
“We created a program to help them, and we collected the funds,” he adds. “We gave them everything, whatever we could, containers with clothing [and] all kinds of supplies to support [them] because they were going through tough times.”
The Society has also been a keen supporter of local community – even beyond the Polish diaspora. Last year they donated over $20,000 to organizations such as B.C. Children’s Hospital, Saint Paul’s Hospital, Heart and Stroke Foundation, B.C. Cancer Foundation and the Polish parish.
Their donations also supported an organization in Warsaw helping disabled children. Matuszewski’s work with the Society is rooted in his love for Poland – a pride in being Polish shared with his generation.
“We have 1,000 years [of history] behind us; Polish history is a center of Europe,” he says, adding that younger generations do not feel this regard for heritage as strongly. “I think part of it is also because most of us have immigrated, so we didn’t spend enough time teaching them the history, and that is maybe part of the blame on us.”
The Society currently has around 40 active and 40 supporting members. While its seniors’ club is still active with regular meetings celebrating birthdays and other occasions, the organization struggles to bring in younger members of the diaspora. Matuszewski says changing immigrant trends pose another challenge, noting that younger immigrants are primarily here to work. Unlike the previous generations, he says that few decide to put down roots in B.C. and many return to Poland for its more affordable cost of living.
“But we still have a strong will; we are planning to expand the Society with the same principles which we have, still helping the members,” Matuszewski adds.
The ‘Dom’ through the years
Matuszewski’s highlights include overseeing work on the Society’s Fraser Street building, their “Dom Polski.” Constructing a balcony in the main hall was especially memorable. They had already removed windows to place steel beams inside the building in preparation for the construction when a curious discovery was made.
“We placed the beam inside, [and] it was six feet too short,” Matuszewski recalls. “I’m never going to forget that.”
He adds that rental income is the Society’s main source of revenue, and the balcony now serves as a main attraction for renters. Matuszewski also oversaw the installation of proper ventilation systems in the building. In 2014, he led a project to replace all of the Dom Polski’s lights with LEDs – a move that has financially benefited the Society over time. For the president, the organization’s longevity, both financially and socially, drives his work.
“We are working on a 5-year plan, to firstly rebuild that folk dancing group, and if you’re rebuilding something, you are trying to give to the community for free,” he says of plans to engage the younger generation.
Operating for over 60 years, the Society’s Polonez Dance Group performed for the community until 2019; they had to close the group when the covid-19 pandemic hit Vancouver. Matuszewski sees folk dance as an intergenerational unifying bond. They are already searching for an instructor, even expanding their inquiry to Ukrainian, Slovenian and Slovak communities.
“It’s no longer that we have to be Polish; we are open,” he says. “We have the facility, but we need the commitment; we need the support.”
As the Society prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, Matuszewski works to keep the Polish spirit alive. They will hold their annual event – Polish Harvest Festival – in September with traditional Polish cuisine and artistic presentations.
Author: Lillian Liao
Source: https://thelasource.com/social/community/2025/05/27/the-polish-friendship-zgoda-society-keeping-polish-culture-alive/