The Christmas Eve ceremony was opened by Gromadka Gmina Mayor Ryszard Kawka, who invited priests from the parishes in Gromadka onto the stage. The fifteenth Christmas Eve of Many Cultures brought together many guests, but above all, the residents of the gmina.
The mayor of Gromadka gmina extended Christmas wishes to all residents of Gromadka.
– Ladies and gentlemen, above all, I wish you God’s blessing for the holidays and warm, family celebrations among your loved ones – said the mayor, Ryszard Kawka.
The Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, who was also present at the event, warmly welcomed the gathered guests.
– I would like to sincerely thank Mayor Ryszard Kawka for continuing what came before – said Cezary Przybylski. – If this is already the fifteenth Christmas Eve, it means that everyone wants to meet. To sit together at a shared table and exchange good wishes. This is extremely important, especially in Lower Silesia. The mayor spoke about how our grandfathers and great-grandfathers came here from different parts of Europe, and even from around the world. They brought their customs and traditions, and now, in many families in Lower Silesia and Gromadka, these traditions and customs intermingle. Various dishes appear on holiday tables. This shows how these customs combine with one another – the marshal added.
In his speech, the marshal also referred to the present and future of Lower Silesia.
- This is one of the fastest-developing regions in Europe – said Cezary Przybylski. – Of the 250 regions in the European Union, we rank sixth. This is also largely thanks to all Lower Silesians and to what happened after World War II, when Poles arriving here built their small homeland. I would like to sincerely thank you for that. When we exchange good wishes on Christmas Eve, some of you will invite your neighbors to an Orthodox Christmas Eve celebration. Let us also remember that a war is continuing beyond our eastern border; some of you have family there, and these moments will be devoted to remembering and reflecting on what is happening there. I wish you healthy, peaceful holidays, much mutual kindness and understanding, and may these holidays take place in a joyful and calm atmosphere – the marshal added.
As always during the Christmas Eve celebration, the participants shared the opłatek wafer – a symbol of sharing goodness – drew closer to one another, forgave mistakes and grievances, and thoughtfully remembered those who were absent from the Christmas Eve table. They stood in solidarity with Ukraine and with people affected by the war, sharing prosphora. The Christmas Eve tables were laden with regional dishes. There was traditional red borscht with uszka dumplings, cabbage-and-mushroom croquettes, fried carp, fish, vegetable salad, kutia, herring, and wonderful cakes baked by active members of the Gromadka community.
The residents of Gromadka gmina, villages and village councils, village heads, the gmina council, employees of gmina institutions—including representatives of gmina schools—and representatives of district authorities cooperating with the gmina were invited to the Christmas Eve celebration.