Reception and Concert in Honor of The Centennial of U.S.-Polish Relations

On May 30 at her residence in Warsaw, Ambassador Georgette Mosbacher hosted an evening reception and concert in honor of “The Centennial of Polish-American Diplomatic Relations” that also celebrated the 30th anniversary of restored democracy in Poland.  The event marked the latest in the U.S. Embassy’s yearlong series of diplomatic and cultural events commemorating the last century of close relations between Poland and the United States.  The reception came on the heels of a symposium held on the same topic earlier in the day at the Klub Bankowca in Warsaw which was co-organized by U.S. Embassy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the German Marshall Fund. 

Guests of honor at the reception included Poland’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Konrad Szymański and Poland’s Ambassador to the United States Piotr Wilczek.  Other guests of honor included three former U.S. Ambassadors to Poland – Ambassadors Thomas Simons, Daniel Fried, and Stephen Mull – who were panelists at the symposium that featured welcoming remarks by Ambassador Mosbacher and Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz.  Performing at the reception was the renowned jazz pianist, professor of musicology,  and Fulbright Ambassador Stan Breckenridge and his trio.  On behalf of the Polish government, Ambassador Piotr Wilczek conferred on Dr. Breckenridge Poland’s Amicus Poloniae Award (“Friend of Poland Award”).  Established in 1996 by then-Polish Ambassador to the United States Jerzy Koźmiński, this award is given annually to American citizens who have advanced Polish-American relations.  During her remarks, Ambassador Mosbacher highlighted the dynamic ties between Poland and the United States over the last century, noting that “Today, the partnership between Poland and the United States is stronger than ever.  From President Wilson to President Trump, our shared love of freedom has sustained our relationship for one hundred years–and has provided a foundation for a hundred more.”