Poland in the UK

Following the success of last year’s PHD, which took place largely virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and saw around 90 initiatives organised in around 50 towns and cities across the United Kingdom, the Polish Embassy in London is opening a call for applications for the 2022 edition of the initiative, hosted in person and virtually and launching on Saturday, 30^th April. Every year in May, PHD sees a number of events organised throughout the UK to promote Polish culture, the heritage of past generations, solidarity, community values and the positive contribution made by the Polish diaspora to the cultural, economic and social life of this country. The celebration coincides with the Day of Poles Abroad and the Flag Day marked in Poland on 2^nd May as well as the 3^rd of May Constitution Day. This year’s PHD will focus on celebrating the important contribution of Polish generals Władysław Anders, Stanisław Maczek and Stanisław Sosabowski to the legacy and history of Poles in the British Isles. We encourage everyone to celebrate the anniversary related to the three generals and share their inspiring stories with the local communities.

The deadline for applications for PHD project funding is on 20^th March. The results will be announced by 20^th April.

“I am glad that PHD has endured the test posed by the pandemic and that thanks to their creativity, Poles living in the UK and their British friends have been able to celebrate all-things Polish uninterruptedly for the past five years as part of Polish Heritage Days. This year, we celebrate the 130^th anniversary of the birth of three great Polish generals, Władysław Anders, Stanisław Maczek and Stanisław Sosabowski, who contributed considerably to the Allied victory in the Second World War and to strengthening the Polish community in the UK. If you have an idea for an event, activity, initiative or project celebrating Polish culture, history or the three generals, I encourage you to get involved in PHD. I also encourage you to inform the local governments and the local media about your projects to generate interest among the local communities,” said Agnieszka Kowalska, Chargé d’affaires a.i. at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London.

The official symbol of Polish Heritage Days is the red-and-white chequerboard, which was the emblem of the Polish pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain and which, thanks to the Embassy’s efforts, has unofficially become the symbol of Poles in the UK. Visit our website and social media channels to find out more about PHD and follow the hashtags #PLHeritageDays and #PolesinUK on Twitter and Facebook.

If you have questions about the PHD application process, email us at: polishday.london@msz.gov.pl.

Polish Embassy UK Press Office