The multi-thousand strong Polishness Parade went on Saturday along the main street of Vilnius – Gediminas, Zamkowa and Ostrobramska Avenue, passing among others The Presidential Palace and the Pac Palace, which houses the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in wine. For example, the Polish Diaspora and Poland Abroad Day and the anniversary of the May 3 Constitution were celebrated.
Polish Parade in Vilnius
The ceremony in white and red colors, Polish costumes, with Polish music and songs ended with a Holy Mass in front of the painting in the Chapel of the Gate of Dawn. After the prayer, a concert by the band Mazowsze took place on the Town Hall Square.
The parade is an expression of pride that we are a Pole in Lithuania and a demonstration of our unity, a reminder to our fellow citizens, Lithuanians, about the presence of many thousands of Poles in our country
– Edward Trusewicz, Vice President of the Union of Poles in Lithuania (ZPL), the organizer of the parade, said in an interview with PAP.
The white and red march was attended by representatives of 14 branches of ZPL from all over the country and numerous Polish social organizations, Polish schools and kindergartens, artistic groups and non-affiliated people.
Leaders of the Polish community in Lithuania, members of parliament of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Union of Christian Families (EAPL-CFA), council members of this party, as well as the Polish ambassador to Vilnius Konstanty Radziwiłł, head of the consular section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, Consul Irmina Szmalec, Senators Halina Biada and Ryszard Majer, Members of Parliament Janusz Kowalski and Jarosław Krajewski, as well as the Marshal of the Voivodeship of Mazowieckie Adam Struzik.
A sea of red and white flags
This is a very important manifestation, showing attachment to the Polish tradition of these countries
Senator Majer told reporters.
On such an important day, we, representatives of the Senate, want to show that we stand with the Poles, that we support them so that they live at a high level and with good quality, so that they always remember their identity
– added.
The senator pointed out that “it is amazing to see so many white and red flags outside Poland, so many young people who are the best ambassadors of Polishness.”
It is a great feeling to walk through the streets of Vilnius in a white and red march of many thousands
– PAP told the participants of the parade.
It is a sublime feeling, it is joy and pride, the satisfaction of being part of a good, important whole, positive, sunny.
The Parade of Polishness on Saturday took place in Vilnius for the 18th time and has been organized every few years since 2004.
Now we want to organize this beautiful manifestation every year
said Trusewicz.
Poles in Lithuania are the largest national minority, constituting 6.5 percent. general Lithuanian society. Branches of ZLP, an association of almost 10,000 people, operate practically throughout the country.
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wkt/PAP
Source: wPolityce