Midlands Polish Community to mark International Children’s Day
On Sunday June 4, Midlands Polish Community CLG is once again holding its annual International Children's Day event. This afternoon of fun will take place in Drum Community Centre, Athlone from 1pm until 5pm. International Children's Day is celebrated in many countries across Europe on June 1, and the event in Drum will include lots of attractions for families on the bank holiday weekend.
Midlands Polish Community CLG is a voluntary, non-profit organisation that was established in 2018 to “support integration in our communities and cooperate to deliver projects which aim to foster artistic, cultural, and social developments in our communities.”
This is the fourth year that the event has been held in-person, returning last year after a two-year absence as a result of the pandemic. Since its first celebration in 2018, the popularity of the Children's Day event has skyrocketed. Slavek Kazek, chairman of the Midlands Polish Community, noted that at first the attendees were mainly Polish, but by last year it was incredibly multicultural, with children from all sorts of different backgrounds coming together for this celebration.
Mr Kazek highlighted that everyone is welcome to come to this Children's Day event and enjoy it and have fun as it is not only for Polish nationals but for everyone living in the community, because “integration is key for our multicultural Ireland.” He also added that he hopes this celebration will become “part of the annual calendar.” In fact, they have already been given approval from the Department of Integration for their 2024 celebration next year.
There is €10 entry (wristband) per child, and there is free car parking in Coláiste Chiaráin Secondary School next door.
This year, Midlands Polish Community is also celebrating the Year of Paul Strzelecki. He was a Polish volunteer who helped many children during the Great Famine. There will be Paul Strzelecki exhibition in Athlone Library from Friday, June 2 for three weeks, open to the public.
The exhibition was produced by the Polish Embassy and supported by Roscommon County Council. After its three-week stint in Athlone Library, the exhibition will go to Longford and then to Roscommon. It will be in three languages (Polish, English, and Irish) so that everyone can come in to learn more about this extraordinary man.