Juan David Latorre
The Polish Embassy celebrated last Tuesday in the Círculo de Lectora building its Constitution Day, which is commemorated every 3 May and which this year celebrates 233 years since its approval.
In her speech, the Polish Ambassador, Anna Sroka, pointed out that “the Polish Parliament adopted the first Constitution, which was also the first Constitution in Europe and the second in the world. It is an anniversary associated with Poland’s deep-rooted aspiration for democracy, the rule of law, solidarity and social justice. The Constitution of the Third of May embodied the spirit of reform and the need to strengthen Polish state welfare in the 18th century. The Constitution of 3 May 1791 is still a source of inspiration for the Polish authorities and citizens today.
“This year, the Ambassador continued, our celebration is also dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Poland’s accession to the European Union. After a long period of negotiations and a referendum, on 1 May 2004 Poland, together with nine other European countries, became a new member of the European Union. For Poles it was a long awaited moment, after many years we have returned to our European family, we have regained our place in Europe. It should be noted that Poland has brought to the European community, above all, values of solidarity and courage, sensitivity and awareness of the threats coming from the East, positive experience of enlargement. Moreover, together in the European Union we are safer. This is especially important now, when on the other side of our eastern border there is a war provoked by Russian aggression against Ukraine. We are helping Ukrainian women and children who have been forced to flee their homes, we are working to help Ukraine in its struggle and to rebuild damaged infrastructure.
Anna Sroka pointed out that “there is no doubt that Poland’s accession to the European Union has contributed to the development of our country. The figures speak for themselves. Poland has reaped the greatest tangible benefits from the European single market. Between 2004 and 2022, Gross Domestic Product has increased almost fourfold, exports of goods have increased almost sixfold and unemployment has fallen to a record low. EU membership has also led to greater confidence on the part of foreign investors. Between 2004 and 2023, the total value of foreign investments in Poland increased from 156 million euros to 685 million euros, a more than fourfold increase.
“Poland’s accession to the European Union, Anna Sroka concluded, also meant the opening of borders. In Spain alone there are more than 110,000 permanent residents from Poland, whose easy integration into Spanish society, as well as their professionalism and reliability at work, are a great showcase for our country. In addition to the well-integrated Polish community living in Spain, our countries are linked above all by an understanding on a political level. We share the same values and priorities, we have close sectoral cooperation, coordinated at regular intergovernmental conferences. We are also linked by excellent economic relations, with a year-on-year increase in the volume of trade. Spain is Poland’s ninth largest economic partner in terms of value of Polish exports and twelfth in terms of imports. Spain is the sixth largest foreign investor in Poland”.
This was followed by a concert by the Polish quartet Atom String, one of the most prominent and successful contemporary Polish jazz bands. The ensemble combines the possibilities of a string quartet with widely understood improvisation. In their work, in addition to jazz, one can hear the inspiration of Polish folklore, music from various regions of the world, as well as contemporary and classical music.
