This year’s event in the capital city of Serbia took place on 9-10 May, with the Polish Embassy in Belgrade as the chief organizer.
Polish diaspora representatives met with Polish Senate Marshal BogdanBorusewicz, who noted: “You can be proud of Poland, and Poland is proud of you.” A reception to mark the visit was attended by Polish diaspora members from Serbia, representatives of cultural and business circles affiliated to Poland, and a number of officials from Serbian institutions. The list of guests included representatives of Belgrade municipal authorities, foreign ministry officials, and representatives of many agencies dealing with diaspora and ethnic minorities issues.
Members of the local Polish diaspora who have been especially active in promoting Polish culture and language were presented with distinctions “For Outstanding Contribution to Polish Culture,” and diplomas of recognition. Moreover, the marshal honoured the laureates of two competitions that had been organized by the Polish Embassy: “The History of my Family,” and for the best literary translation. The event featured a rich artistic programme, which was partly created by children from a Polish diaspora school in Belgrade, and students from the town of Ostojicevo, where Polish, Serbian, Hungarian and Roma influences mingle with one another in harmony.
As part of the celebrations, BogdanBorusewicz, who was accompanied by Prof Vladimir Marinkovic, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, laid wreaths at the graves of Polish pilots who gave their lives helping the Warsaw Uprising, and at a memorial plaque to the Polish-Yugoslav League. The agenda of the marshal’s visit also included bilateral meetings with Serbia’s highest authorities:President of the Republic of Serbia TomislavNikolic,and Speaker of Serbia’s National Assembly Maja Gojkovic.
Source: Press Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Poland
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