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The Spring Sacrifice of Marzanna, 2026
Effigy building workshop & procession
Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor MI
Event Documentation: YouTube
In The Spring Sacrifice of Marzanna participants were instructed to build effigies as a representation of a burden they’d like to release. A procession of these effigies walked through the gardens, led by my mother and I, followed by a 22 piece Polish folk orchestra and choir conducted by Antoni Mączka. On the bridge over Willow Pond, effigies were released and flowed downstream. After crossing the bridge, each participant was anointed with a hand-made mountain-ash/rowan and crabapple necklace.
This event was supported by the Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Arts Initiative, Rackham Graduate School and Ann Arbor Polonia Association.