MERSEYSIDE Polonia, a Polish charitable organisation that develops positive relations between the Polish and the local community, is to hold a jazz session to mark  Zaduszki, or Forefathers' Night, an old Polish tradition.

It stars composer, arranger and jazz pianist Michal Ciesielski who will perform his own compositions.

Zaduszki has long been celebrated in the old counrty, with the symbolic supper destined to feed the "hungry" souls of the ancestors.

At the event, taking place on Tuesday (Oct 30) at the Quaker Meeting House, you will discover (unless you are Polish already) how during Zaduszki the souls of the dead return to visit their homes.

“We would like to share the knowledge of this unique custom, share a piece of our Polish culture and at the same time celebrate the lives of the ones who are no longer with us. We honour the tradition with this special evening of jazz music performed by Michal who is a very talented artist,” explains Gosia McKane, the founder of the organisation.



Michal started piano classes at the age of six, he became fascinated with jazz and composition while in secondary school and this fascination hasn’t finished since. He is a winner of many prizes, such as the Krzysztof Komeda International Composition Contest, in Słupsk, European Musical Integration, in Żyrardów, Fama 2011 and RCK pro Jazz Festival.

Polonia promise a feast for all fervent music lovers who can feed their souls with quality music - a free performance not to be missed.

Meanwhile, in a further sign of the integration of Liverpool's Polish community, the Walker Art Gallery is running tours in Polish.

The next one takes place this Sunday (October 28) at 2.30 pm. This tour will focus on The John Moores Painting Prize. Polish visitors will learn about the history of the prize and discuss the paintings in this year's John Moores exhibition.

The project is financially supported through the Liverpool City Council and Liverpool NHS Primary Care Trust: Culture & Wellbeing Grass Roots Grant Programme 2012 as well as the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Manchester.

*Zaduszki night featuring Michal Ciesielski, Quaker Meeting House, School  Lane, Liverpool 1. Tues Oct 30, 6.30pm. Free. 

*Walker Art Gallery tours in Polish, William Brown Street, Sunday Oct 28, 2.30pm. Free.