Celebration of the 50th anniversary of Polish-Australian diplomatic relations in Canberra
05.05.2022
The celebration at the Polish Embassy in Canberra took place on 5 May and commemorated the 231st anniversary of the adoption of the 3rd of May Constitution, as well as this year’s 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Poland and Australia.
The event at the Embassy was attended, among others, by the representatives of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, headed by the Chief of Protocol, Ian McConville, and by other federal administration officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the Polish community and friends of Poland.
The ceremony began with the national anthems of Poland and Australia, performed by the Polish-Australian pianist Krzysztof Małek, followed by toasts to both countries and their citizens made by Ambassador Michał Kołodziejski and the Chief of Protocol. In his speech, Ambassador Kołodziejski referred to the 50th anniversary of Polish-Australian diplomatic relations established on 20 February 1972, by presenting them in the context of much longer history of bilateral contacts, which can be traced back to the beginning of the European settlement in this country in the early 19th century. Ambassador Kołodziejski raised the issue of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, pointing out to some similarities with the situation of Poland during WWII. He reiterated Poland’s full support for the invaded neighbour that shares with us and Lithuania the legacy of the 3rd of May Constitution. Participants paid respect to the victims of war in Ukraine through a minute of silence.
Chief of Protocol Ian McConville referred to recent close contacts between the political leaders of our two countries, including the Joint Statement of the Prime Ministers of Poland and Australia issued on the occasion of 50 years of Polish-Australian diplomatic relations, and the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs' visit to Warsaw on the very day of the anniversary.
Special guests of the event were four Polish-Australians who participated in the project „Unity | Stories about Us”, carried out by the Polish-Australian Business Forum to mark 50 years of bilateral diplomatic relations under the patronage of Polish Ambassador. From Sydney came prof. Betina Szkudlarek, Jenny Morawska and Krzysztof Czerwiński, and from Brisbane prof. Lidia Morawska.
