In a winter display of goodwill, a delegation of diplomats joined President Andrzej Duda for a traditional sleigh journey through the Chochołowska Valley in the Tatra Mountains on Sunday evening. Ukraine’s ambassador to Poland expressed gratitude to the Tatra District authorities for hosting the reception for war refugees during the event.
Under the president’s lead, the diplomats moved in teams of Hluba highlanders toward Polana Huciska. The gathering unfolded in a calm, discreet atmosphere with no media briefings. After the ride, the president shared a concise photo update on his social media, and Łukasz Kmita, the Voivode of Lesser Poland, publicly commented on the moment.
Highlander sleighs carried the group from Siwa Polana at 18:00, proceeding to Polana Huciska. There they were welcomed by the Tatra District authorities, the management team of the Tatra National Park, and a local shepherd who offered oscypek cheese and demonstrated the peat-warming hut used for the watra ritual. The sleigh excursion concluded with a gala dinner at a restaurant located at the edge of the Chochołowska Valley.
The Ukrainian ambassador’s remarks
Piotr Bąk, a Tatra star, conveyed to PAP that the weather held nicely throughout the ride, with gentle snowfall and a dramatic dusk silhouette of the surrounding peaks—an image many described as unforgettable for visitors.
Officials regarded the event as a strong showcase of regional hospitality and cultural warmth. Diplomats had the chance to admire the snowy landscape of Chochołowska Valley, and the Tatra Poviat authorities were honored by the warm reception accorded to the Ukrainian delegation and the ongoing support for war refugees in the area. The president enjoyed broad esteem among the participants, who sought their moment for a quick photo with him and to exchange kind words before departures.
One attendee remarked that the gathering offered a chance to connect personally with leaders and local guardians of tradition, reinforcing ties between Poland and the diplomatic corps.
As plans continued, the delegation was set to remain in Zakopane through Monday, with the day featuring a ski race on Polana Szymoszkowa and opportunities for further informal exchanges. The overall mood remained focused on camaraderie and shared respect for the region’s winter heritage.
Source attributions: wPolityce; reporting via PAP.