Paczki Day Brings Hamtramck Community Together

Annual Polish pastry celebration transcends cultural boundaries and inspires togetherness.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Pączki Day, a beloved annual tradition in the diverse city of Hamtramck, Michigan, is more than just a celebration of delicious Polish pastries. For author Aida Mandic, the day represents a powerful unifying force that brings together people of all religions, nationalities, and backgrounds to share in the joy of food, friendship, and community.

Why it matters

Pączki Day highlights the vibrant multicultural fabric of Hamtramck, where residents from diverse backgrounds come together to embrace a shared cultural experience. The event demonstrates how food can serve as a catalyst for building trust, tolerance, and camaraderie between neighbors, even those who may not share the same cultural or religious heritage.

The details

Growing up, Mandic would buy dozens of pączki, traditional Polish filled doughnuts, and distribute them to family, friends, and even strangers on the street. She recalls people of all ethnicities, from Bengalis to Yemenis to Poles, eagerly enjoying the pastries and bonding over the shared experience. Pączki Day inspired creativity, beauty, and a sense of community that transcended individual differences.

  • Pączki Day is an annual tradition celebrated in Hamtramck, Michigan.

The players

Aida Mandic

A Detroit-area author and writer who grew up celebrating Pączki Day in Hamtramck.

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What they’re saying

“Pączki Day is about more than food. It brings together people from multiple religions and nationalities. It's not restricted to Polish people or to Catholic people. The residents of Hamtramck are curious to try this tasty treat.”

— Aida Mandic, Author (thehamtramckreview.com)

“I remember looking forward to the experience every year. I loved to see friends that I had not seen in a while. We would bond through something so small yet so precious. I love the fact that I got to grow up surrounded by that kind of energy. It is a wonderful and constructive way to meet people!”

— Aida Mandic, Author (thehamtramckreview.com)

The takeaway

Pączki Day in Hamtramck demonstrates how a shared cultural experience, centered around the enjoyment of traditional food, can bring together a diverse community and foster lasting connections, understanding, and appreciation between neighbors.