Poland: Together we are strong, together we are visible

Wrocław, Poland: April and June 2024

Over 15 years ago, something unique took place in Wrocław, Poland. Representatives of national and ethnic minorities signed a cooperation agreement called Kalejdoskop Kultur (Kaleidoscope of Cultures). A few years later, a foundation was established within which representatives of the German, Ukrainian, Lemko, Karaim, Tatar, Roma, Armenian and Greek minorities worked together and created the social fabric of their city. Thanks to the MARIO programme, cooperation has gained momentum again during the last year.

Since the beginning of the year, Kalejdoskop Kultur has returned to the tradition of regular networking meetings, forgotten by the pandemic. During them, participants give themselves what is most valuable – time and attention to other people. Thanks to MARIO’s financial support, the meetings are enriched with invited experts from the fields in which Kalejdoskop Kultur noticed deficits.

In April representatives of the foundation had the opportunity to meet with Mariola Abkowicz, Vice-Chairman of the Joint Commission of Government and Minorities, to be reminded of what rights statutory minorities are entitled to in Poland. The nuances of Polish law were presented, which differentiate national and ethnic groups living in the territory of the Republic of Poland into ‘recognized’ minorities and other communities.

The discussion grew heated as the legislative process to formally recognize the Greeks present in the room as a ‘statutory’ minority was underway.

Another thematic meeting of the group was held in June – this time devoted to the presence, or rather lack thereof, of minority representatives in the media. The workshops were led by Ewa Waplak, a journalist from the Ukrainian minority. Participants discussed how to make their cases reach the media, not only in the context of crimes and negative events.

These meetings are also a space for planning a great and common celebration, which will take place on September 22 in Wrocław – the great anniversary of the foundation and cooperation within the Kalejdoskop. Participants from each organization will have space here to present themselves exactly as they want to be seen.

There is a lot of work ahead for minorities in Wrocław and Poland, but they can already see the effects of Kalejdoskop Kultur’s actions to date.