Poland in the Diplomatic Charity Event for Ukraine
16.12.2022
On December the 6th, at the initiative of the Polish Ambassador in Oslo, Iwona Woicka-Żuławska as lider of the Female Ambassadors Oslo (FAO), the Diplomatic Charity Event 2022 was organized in cooperation with the International Forum (an organization gathering former Norwegian diplomats and their spouses) and the Diplomatic Spouses Association Norway (DSAN).
Apart from the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, 54 diplomatic missions accredited in Oslo participated in the event: Afghanistan; Argentina; Belgium; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Brazil; Bulgaria; Canada; Chile; China; Croatia; Dish; Egypt; Estonia; European Union (common table for six Member States); Philippines; France; Spain; Ghana; Greece; Georgia; Indonesia; Ireland; Iceland; Israel; Japan; Kazakhstan; Kosovo; Lithuania; Latvia; Mexico; Myanmar; Netherlands; Germany; Norway (represented by the International Forum); Palestine; North Macedonia; Poland, Portugal, Rep. Korea; South Africa; Romania; Slovakia; Switzerland; Sweden; Thailand; Tunisia; Türkiye; Ukraine; Hungary; Vietnam; UK Britain and Italy. Also ngo’s working for Ukraine and supporting Ukrainians had a chance to present their activities: Caritas, Dråpet i Havet (operating also in Poland - Krakow), NORSAID.org, Ukrainsk Forening Øst-Norge and Smeder Uten Grenser (Blacksmiths Without Borders).
At the headquarters of the Norwegian Red Cross, national and regional tables were prepared presenting the cuisine and tourist attractions of participating countries, a lottery was organized with gifts donated by Embassies, as well as an exhibition of arts & crafts (paintings, ceramics, jewellery, albums) that were available for purchase at the auction. During the event artistic performances by the Ukrainian choir, the Sang Over Grenser group, featuring singers from Poland, Ukraine, Norway, and a Lithuanian folk group took place.
The President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani was the guest of honour of the DCE 2022. He gave a short occasional speech, emphasizing the importance of unity and strong support for Ukraine fighting for independence and declaring Norway's continued commitment to Ukraine. M. Gharahkhani also visited the stands of individual countries, including the Polish national table. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was represented by Tone Elisabeth Bækkevold Allers, Director General of the Department for Culture, Trade Promotion and Protocol. The speech on behalf of the First Lady of Ukraine O. Zelenska was delivered by Lilia Honcharevych, Chargé d'affaires of the Ukrainian Embassy in Oslo.
The DCE 2022 was organised to finance the project "Ambulance to save lives" of the Ukrainian Association in Eastern Norway (Ukrainsk Forening Øst-Norge). With the admission tickets, lottery tickets, auctions and donors contribution (Equinor and the Łukasiewicz PGNiG Foundation) the amount of NOK 275,000 was collected, which allows the purchase of one car and its appropriate fitting for the needs of medical assistance already in Ukraine (the cost of one ambulance was estimated at NOK 200,000).
In the preparation of the Polish table and products for the auction and lottery, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Oslo was supported by LOT Polish Airlines, Polish Tourism Organisation in Stockholm, Hotel H15 in Warsaw, the chain of Polish food stores EKO Market and the Norwegian-Polish Chamber of Commerce.
