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,    C bus was discovering America, Poland then unit

ania - was the largest country in Europę. Unfortunately, 60on became a victim of constant invasions - by the Russlans, Swedes Tartars. Finally, by 1795, partitioned by three neighborlng po Prussia, and Austria, she completely disappeared from the map o Independent State. After 123 years of constant struggle for fr regainea her lndependence In 1918, at the end of World War I. free until 1939, when World War II put her first unaer the G-erm under the Communist domination.

Poland, until recently, was mainly an agricultural countr folklore - including arts and crafts, musie and dance - is main origin. However, because of her central location at the crossr because of the numerous invasions; and because of her ambitlon up to the West, to the artistlc leadership of France and Italy many foreign influences in all aspects of her culture. Thls in ever, has been a two-way traffic, that means, Poland was not on from other nations but also contrlbuting to the culture of the known is Poland*s contribution to the domain of musie and dance their roots in her folklore. Three Polish national dances, nam mazur, and the krakowiak, were an inspiratlon not only for Poli (best example6: Chopin*s and Paderewski*s famous mazurkas), but composers all over the world. Through the work of these artist dances penetrated also into the International opera and ballet. domain of musie and dance Poland is also known for her posters, hangings ("kilimy"), her cut-outs (“wycinanki"), and, last but postał stamps.    * * *

The beginning of folk dances in Poland reach back to very dlstant tlmes. They derive from the tribal dances of the Slavic people lnhabiting the area between the Baltic Sea in the north, the Tatra Mountalns in the south, and the rivers Odra in the west, and Bug in the east. These tribal ceremonies were held in honor of the pagan gods, who watched over the cultivation of crops and over the family matters. With the passing of centuries, however, the dances lost their religious and ceremoniał significance becoming a communal social pastlme. But even until today they still display traces of the ancient circle madę around a god, or feature a leading couple. The most favorite meter, es-pecially in the central, western, and south-west ern parts of Poland, is the 3/4

and the 3/8 beat, whlle the 2/4 and the 4/4 beats are morę popular in the Southern and the eastern parts of the country.