Poland in the UK

Each year, 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 theme of this year’s PHD is the 130th anniversary of the birth of three Polish generals, Władysław Anders, Stanisław Maczek and Stanisław Sosabowski, and their contribution to the legacy and history of Poles in the British Isles. There will also be initiatives that demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine.

This year’s edition will see more than 100 events organised in dozens of British towns and cities as well as online. Families with children will be able to take part in picnics, workshops and Polish dance shows on the Isle of Wight, in Gloucester, Belfast, Glasgow and London. History enthusiasts can choose from such initiatives as a tour around London places related to the three generals, a JW3 discussion on the Ładoś Group with historians Roger Moorhouse and Jennifer Grant, and a travelling exhibition promoting the Polish-British alliance during the Second World War, which will visit such places as Worcester and Duxford. For aviation enthusiasts, among others, there will be an exhibition of Polish model aeroplanes in Chester and an exhibition in Leicester devoted to Polish pilots. For everyone interested in ships, the highlight of the Polish Heritage Days will definitely be the commemoration of the 80^th anniversary of the defence of the Isle of Wight by Polish destroyer ORP Błyskawica. There will also be various talks, concerts, festivals and competitions devoted to Polish culture and history. The symbolic start of this year’s Polish Heritage Days will be the ceremony of wreath-laying by, among others, Consul General of Poland in London Mateusz Stąsiek, English Heritage representatives and people involved in promoting knowledge about the Silent Unseen, which will take place to mark the 80^th anniversary of the opening of Station 43 in Audley End.

We encourage everyone celebrating to share information about their initiatives on social media using the hashtags #PLHeritageDays and #PolesinUK. Here you will find a virtual map detailing the events (the map of the events is being updated constantly).

Polish Heritage Days are celebrated in the United Kingdom annually since 2017 close to the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad Day and the Polish Flag Day on 2nd May and the 3rd May Constitution Day. The official symbol of the initiative 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 Polish Embassy’s efforts, has unofficially become the symbol of Poles living in the UK.

Polish Embassy UK Press Office