Polish Heritage Day in UK hailed a success

The day was organised by the Polish foreign ministry, and was one of the first initiatives of its kind.

Attendance surpassed the expectations of its organisers, Polish ambassador to the UK Arkady Rzegocki and consul Krzysztof Grzelczyk, and showed that Polish expats can act together across divides.

Several dozen associations, Polish schools, businesses and entire families responded enthusiastically to the ministry’s invitation to mark the Polish community's contribution to the UK’s cultural collage.

One of the biggest events took place in Cambridge on 7 May. The hosts had expected an audience of around 500 over the entire day, only to see that number exceeded after 30 minutes. During the four-hour event, 2,000 visitors attended, with presentations of Polish folk dances proving particularly popular.

On 6 May in Killingbeck Cemetery, Leeds, a monument was unveiled in memory of Polish troops who fought during WWII. The ceremony was attended by Polish war veterans.

Manchester hosted a presentation of family photos and letters written in 1941-1943 by Józef Bujdo, a Siberian deportee, in which he recounts his wartime experiences.

Source: Poland.pl