Since its creation in 1977, the culture and tradition society pursues its primary objective of being the reflection of a traditional and musical patrimony of the French-polish community in the Nord-Pas de Calais.

The preservation if polish traditions has always been a major concern for the population, which protected its cultural identity in this way against multiple attacks from border countries. This feeling was reinforced with numerous polish emigrants all over the world, in order to preserve a strong link their with origins and consequently maintain this cultural wealth.

In the heart of the Nord-Pas de Calais, which saw a large immigration of Polish between the two wars, a highly associative web has formed, in which Culture and Tradition has existed for nearly 30 years.

The main activity of our association is the presentation of songs and dance from the polish folklore. Since 1978 our group has developed considerably and rapidly, so that today it benefits from both international and regional recognition, allowing it to be representative of the French-polish community in the Nord-Pas de Calais.

In 1994, the Culture and Tradition society baptised its folk group with a stage name in order to make it more representative. They named this KALINA. Kalina in French means guelder rose or viburnum, a tree which is very common in Central Europe and which can be found in the polish countryside. It is often used in popular text, poetry and songs.

What can be more representative than a polish tree to symbolise our roots and our development for future generations!