A momentous occasion was marked when Polish President Andrzej Duda traveled to New York to join the 86th Pulaski Parade. Speaking on TVP Polonia, he expressed that participating in the parade is a source of joy and pride, noting that no Polish president has ever taken part in this event before. He underscored the significance by calling it the largest Polish event in the world that unfolds annually.
In describing the experience, the president conveyed a sense of honor and responsibility. He highlighted that his visit was specifically aimed at taking part in the 86th Pulaski Parade, a tradition that resonates deeply with Poles living in the United States, particularly in New York and nearby states. For many members of the Polish community there, the parade represents more than a celebration; it is a vital link to homeland heritage and communal identity.
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The president also spoke of his happiness at standing alongside fellow Poles and meeting the Polish community in the United States. He emphasized that he was repeatedly encouraged to participate because his presence matters to the Polish diaspora, reinforcing a sense of unity and shared history on this prominent day.
“I’m glad I can complete this,” he stated, signaling a personal wish fulfilled through the journey to New York and the opportunity to celebrate with compatriots abroad.
The Pulaski Parade, which began in 1937, is recognized as the second oldest ethnic parade in New York and the longest-running Polish-American procession in the region. The parade’s enduring presence underscores the strong historical ties between Poland and the Polish-American community. In a broader display of ongoing cultural engagement, Piotr Gliński, the head of Poland’s Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, had previously announced his own participation in the event, reinforcing official support for the celebration.
Source material from wPolityce notes the notable participation of the Polish president in this historic procession, highlighting the event’s significance within both Polish national life and the diaspora community.