For the 8th year, the Delegation of the EU as well as the EU’s 27 member states celebrated Europe Day by opening the doors of their embassies to the public. On Saturday, May 10, 2014 from 10am to 4pm guests had the opportunity to tour all the reception rooms of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington DC
As in years past, visitors could admire the collection of renowned Polish artwork that decorate the walls of our historic Embassy, as well as take in the elegant interior and beaux-arts exterior architecture which serve as a reminder that our Embassy is the oldest continually serving embassy in Washington DC.
In addition there were several exhibits on display for the public to enjoy, including two prepared by the Washington DC based Jan Karski Institute for Tolerance and Dialogue to commemorate the 2014 Year of Jan Karski: a biographical one presenting his upbringing and another in the form of a comic which tells the history of his mission during World War II.
Visitors had the opportunity to learn about the anniversaries that Poland is celebrating this year, including the 10th Anniversary of joining the European Union, the 15th Anniversary of joining NATO, and the 25th Anniversary of the democratic transformation of Poland. The fall of communism and the democratic changes initiated by the Solidarity movement was the topic of the presented documentary film entitled, “Poland’s Road to Freedom” which featured archival pictures of Poland’s June 1898 elections and the formation of a government by Tadeusz Mazowiecki.
Well received by guests was the display featuring commemorative stamps produced by the Polish Postal Service, which included such stamps as “Solidarity. Polish Postal Service honors the people of August 1980,” “20th Anniversary of establishing a new government after the June 1989 elections,” “Lech Walesa’s 70th Birthday,” “70th Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising,” as well as “Canonization of Pope’s John XXIII and John Paul II.”
For our youngest “European travelers” the Embassy prepared educational games, quizzes and coloring books. Guests were also very eager to snap photos in our specially prepared Polish corner, which was decorated with Polish national symbols and featured our staff members dressed in traditional Polish folk costumes.
As in previous years, a must during our Embassy’s open house was the sampling of traditional Polish cuisine: delicious pierogi and kielbasa. Authors of Polish cooking books from the Classic Recipes series were present to answer any culinary questions from our guests.
The Embassy of the Republic of Poland was visited this year by over 1,600 persons.
For a full photographic account of the events please visit our Facebook site at:
KATALOG FIRM W INTERNECIE
