Juan David Latorre
As it has become a tradition every year at this time, the Polish Embassy gathered friends, colleagues and collaborators to share with them at its headquarters the joy and spirit of Christmas. This year, with its ambassador, Anna Sroka, at the head and the whole team of the diplomatic legation, it could not be less.
First of all, the Polish ambassador emphasised her support for the Ukrainian people at this time of year, “even more so at this time of year. We have almost three million refugees, who are not going to spend Christmas very well because they are women and children, because they are far from their parents, their brothers and sisters, who have stayed in Ukraine”.
Referring to the Christmas customs in her country, Ambassador Anna Sroka pointed out that “in Poland we eat a lot, we eat non-stop for three days, from 24 to 26 December, accompanied by parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts and uncles who are more or less distant. It is a very family-oriented holiday, although on the 24th we always have a free, empty plate for someone who, perhaps, has nowhere to be on that day and can knock on the door and come”. Also on that day, the ambassador commented, “we invite people who are alone, neighbours, people who have no family.”
Amid laughter and admiration from the guests, the Polish ambassador commented that “we have 12 courses and you have to eat everything… and it’s not easy”.
The event was attended by the ambassadors of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia, together with various personalities who enjoyed an extraordinary gift from the Polish Embassy, which consisted of a concert by the pianist Mateusz Mikolajczak, considered one of the most promising young Polish musicians, who performed romantic pieces by Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt, together with several Christmas carols. The event was rounded off with a large selection of typical Polish Christmas food, and a pleasant and, as always, friendly farewell from the Embassy staff.
