The choice of the place for celebration wasn’t a coincidence – as Polish Consul in Manchester, Łukasz Lutostański emphasised – the reason for choosing Liverpool was very simple. ‘Liverpool has been an open and friendly city for Polish citizens for many, many years. We appreciate your hospitality and the opportunity to contribute to the local welfare, diversity and development’, said the Polish Consul.
10 years ago when Poland joined European Union together with other 9 countries it was so far the largest enlargement of the European Union to date, also a turning point in shaping the ‘new’ Europe. There were different attitudes and challenges concerned with such mass migration but the Poles actually proved that they can integrate and contribute to the British society extremely well.
Merseyside Polonia, a non-profit organisation located in Liverpool, can be a great example of true community spirit and how much the Polish and their culture have become part of the city of Liverpool adding to its diversity.
In the past 5 years through projects inspired by Polish art, culture and history Merseyside Polonia has been inviting local residents and other minorities to experience Polish culture in Liverpool and encouraging others to do so. Polish Family Easter or Christmas Workshops, Polish films or literature festivals, to name a few, have now become part of the Liverpool cultural calendar. With over 50 volunteers the organisation is now the biggest and most recognised Polish community organisation in the North West cooperating with local services, authorities as well as cultural institutions here and back in Poland. As Lord Mayor Gary Miller pointed out: ‘I won’t say who but somebody in the audience said to me before that Merseyside Polonia is one of the strongest community groups in the UK. And I think that is down not just to Gosia but to all the volunteers from the community that make this so […] well done to all volunteers from Merseyside Polonia!’. Also Gosia McKane, the director of Merseyside Polonia, who five years ago started the organisation, admitted that she did not expect it to grow so fast and when she was awarded the silver cross merit by the Polish Consulate for her outstanding work for Polish community, she was surprised and overwhelmed.
The event brought to Liverpool a feast of classical music performed by the Around Panufnik project. The Around Panufnik project was born out of the idea to celebrate the 100th anniversary of one of the most prominent Polish composers of the 20th century – Sir Andrzej Panufnik. Three outstanding young musicians from Poland – Anna Maria Staśkiewicz (violin), Bartosz Koziak (cello) and Jakub Tchorzewski (piano) prepared a special programme comprising of Sir Panufnik’s pieces and the music of his fellow-composers, Witold Lutosławski and Karol Szymanowski included.
The music and the speeches by hosts – the Polish Consul and Gosia McKane, as well as by volunteers devoted to the organisation for years made the evening special – full of emotions, joy and memories.
The Polish classical concert was funded by Polish Cultural Institute in London, Polish Consulate in Manchester, Comic Relief, Community Foundation for Merseyside and supported by Liverpool City Council.
More about the event on the website: Merseyside Polonia
Photo © Aldona Wandzel – Kapusta