Poland in Sweden

The inaugural event of the Polish Heritage Days celebration was a concert by pianist Aleksander Debicz and violinist Jakub Nowak, which took place on 11 May at Stockholm's Kulturhuset. The event of the Polish Institute in Stockholm, prepared in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Opera, was an opportunity to present a unique programme including pieces by Witold Lutosławski and Karol Szymanowski.

The main event of this year's Polish Heritage Days was the visit of Dar Młodzieży (Gift of Youth). Throughout the weekend, the inhabitants of Stockholm had the opportunity to visit the deck of the Polish three-mast ship and find out more about the history of this unique vessel. On the quay at Fotografiska, where the sailing ship was moored, representatives of the Polish Tourist Organisation's office in Stockholm presented the offer of the Polish tourism industry and Polish destinations, in particular those of the Małopolska region, which was a partner of the event.

The venue near Dar Młodzieży also served as a stage for artistic performances by the Polish folk ensemble 'Kwiaty Polskie', which presented, among other things, the Polonaise and the Krakowiak - see the recording. In an area next to the sailing ship, Polish artists living in Sweden presented their works.

As part of the celebration of Poland's National Constitution Day, a reception was organised on board the Polish sailing ship on 12 May, which, at the invitation of Ambassador Joanna Hofman, was attended by representatives of the Swedish authorities, including the Deputy Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Julia Kronlid, as well as Swedish parliamentarians, representatives of various ministries, members of Polish organisations and representatives of the diplomatic corps. The ceremony was also attended by members of a delegation from the Małopolska voivodeship, including Vice Marshal Iwona Gibas, who visited Stockholm on the occasion of the Polish Heritage Days. The event on board was enriched by the presence of the Swedish Navy band, which performed the national anthems.

The Polish Investment and Trade Agency, in cooperation with the Katowice Special Economic Zone, organised a business seminar on 12 May entitled 'Poland, a leading centre of innovation and technology in Central and Eastern Europe'. The main objective of the event, held in the prestigious Fotografiska museum, was to introduce Polish enterprises present or planning their presence on the Swedish market and to promote Poland as a country open to foreign investment. The seminar was attended by representatives of trade associations, Polish and Swedish companies, as well as representatives of Swedish public institutions implementing investments in cooperation with Polish businesses.

On Saturday afternoon 13 May, Polish community organisations arranged a family picnic on the premises of the scout station in Järfälla. Participants had the opportunity to taste some Polish delicacies, and art and dance workshops were organised for the youngest. One of the highlights of the picnic was a 1791-metre run, referring to the year in which the Constitution of 3 May was adopted. Commemorative medals were presented to the runners by Consul Maciej Zamościk.

On Sunday, 14 May, a solemn mass for the intention of the Homeland was also held at St Jacob's Church in Stockholm, attended by Ambassador Joanna Hofman, Captain of Dar Młodzieży Rafał Szymański, as well as numerous representatives of Polish organisations. After the service, Ambassador Hofman along with members of the crew of Dar Młodzieży, accompanied by Consul Maciej Zamośćk and Defence Attaché Colonel Adam Jaborski, visited the Haga Norra cemetery, where the crewmen of Dar Pomorza - a historic Polish sailing ship, the predecessor of Dar Młodzieży, which stayed in Stockholm from 1939 to 1945 - are buried.

The events within the Polish Heritage Days were coorganised by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Stockholm, the Polish Institute in Stockholm, the office of the Polish Tourist Organisation in Stockholm and the representation of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency in Stockholm.