The guests came to Poland at the invitation of Bolesławiec County Head Dariusz Kwaśniewski, to take part in the popular-science conference “Our Polish Bosnia – from re-emigration to integration. History, present and future”.
At the Municipal Office in Nowogrodziec, our partners were officially welcomed by Mayor Robert Relich and Chairwoman of the Municipal Council Antonina Szelechowicz.
Robert Relich, Municipal Councilor Barbara Sikora, and the guests took part in the conference held at the Old Theatre in Bolesławiec. The speakers included: Bishop of Banja Luka Franjo Komarica, Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Bosnia and Herzegovina Dr Andrzej Krawczyk, Dr Gordana Durdev-Małkiewicz from the University of Wrocław, Danijel Kovć from the Association of Poles in Banja Luka, Adam Baniecki from the State Archive in Wrocław, and others.
Bishop Franjo Komarica said in his speech, among other things:
The greatest and most respected son of the dear Polish nation and, at the same time, the greatest friend of our country and the Diocese of Banja Luka, St. John Paul II said: “You are commanded to open new paths of brotherhood among people and, by deepening the law of mutual giving and receiving, self-giving and accepting others, build one and only one human family.” May the good Lord bless your noble endeavors.
Warm applause greeted Miroslav Cetojevič, who spoke about the fruitful partnership between the Srbac and Nowogrodziec municipalities, now continuing into its fourth year. Cetojevič warmly thanked the residents of Nowogrodziec for their fraternal assistance during the great flood in May last year, for Mayor Robert Relich’s personal involvement, and for the fact that “you were with us in spirit and in thought, supported us, and came with the humanitarian aid that was so essential to us. I do not say—our partners; I say—our brothers!”.
Meanwhile, Bozo Ristič shared his impressions and experience of cooperation with the residents of Nowogrodziec. He described the enormous assistance he and his family received in searching for their extended family and roots in the municipalities of Bolesławiec County. He also emphasized the personal help and efforts of Robert Relich, the host of the Nowogrodziec municipality. He also expressed his sincere thanks to Municipal Council Chairwoman Antonina Szelechowicz for the good cooperation.
Nowogrodziec Municipal Office/ii