– I am deeply convinced that these latest developments between us and you, our dear friends, the Bosnian Poles, as well as your stronger involvement in the fate of the people and in events in our homeland, which was also the homeland of many of your ancestors, will be a sign from God and of love for us all, so that we may strengthen Christian solidarity among ourselves even more and thus contribute more effectively to building a civilization of love – said Bishop Franjo Komarica of Banja Luka during the conference.
Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna, who was patron of the event, came to Bolesławiec with serious declarations of support for Poles in Bosnia and Polish heritage in the Balkans. And it did not end with promises. Andrzej Krawczyk, Poland’s ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, wants to launch a project to digitize the Sarajevo archive later this year. – Perhaps the foreign minister could support the publication of a selection of valuable documents showing this part of Polish history? Perhaps the two ministers – Polish and Bosnian – could be offered patronage of a conference summarizing this shared part of the history of our nations? I think that such a conference and a post-conference publication would be the best monument to the epic entitled “Poles in Bosnia” – emphasized Andrzej Krawczyk.
– It is important that the main objectives of cooperation between local governments from Poland and Bosnia have been defined, as has the scope of cooperation. It concerns, above all, establishing and deepening friendly relations between local governments, nurturing shared values connected with the tradition of Polish emigration and re-emigration, working for mutual understanding and respect between the citizens of both countries, and initiating and maintaining contacts between organizations, associations and institutions in various areas of life, including education, culture, national heritage, sport and the economy. I emphasize: on the one hand, our activities should nurture our shared past, while on the other – no less importantly – they should initiate cooperation now and in the future. So that the slogan “Our Polish Bosnia” will also be clear to future generations of re-emigrants and residents of the county – concluded the host and initiator of the international conference, Bolesławiec County Head Dariusz Kwaśniewski.
On the second day of the conference, that is, 17 April, folk ensembles from Bolesławiec County will perform at the People’s House in Ocice (Bolesławiec Municipality). The event begins at 2:00 p.m.. The concert will last until 5:00 p.m. And at 6:00 p.m., the performance “My Bosnia” will begin at the Old Theatre in Bolesławiec. Details on the Bolesławiec County website.
Bolesławiec County/ii