Poles gathered in a grand ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Lusail to celebrate their country's Independence Day and emphasized the importance of friendly relations with Qatar. The event was hosted by Tomasz Sadzyński, the Polish ambassador to Qatar, and was dedicated to remembering 123 years of foreign domination over Poland and the country's return to independence in 1918.
Emphasis on Diplomatic Cooperation
The Polish ambassador praised Qatar's diplomatic efforts during the ceremony, particularly thanking Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the father of the Emir of Qatar, for helping reduce Poland's dependence on Russian oil through energy cooperation with Qatar. He also expressed gratitude to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for supporting the expansion of bilateral relations, especially following his first visit to Poland in 2017.
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Ambassador Sadzyński further highlighted Qatar's diplomatic role in regional crises, particularly regarding tensions between the United States and Iran, and condemned Iran's attacks on Qatar. He reaffirmed Poland's support for Qatar's mediation efforts and emphasized the importance of diplomacy during regional crises.
Tribute to Victims and Expression of Sympathy
During the ceremony, a minute of silence was held for the victims of the recent attack in Krakow, Poland, which resulted in the deaths of six people and injuries to several others, including British and Austrian citizens. This incident particularly reminded attendees of the importance of solidarity and empathy in the face of violence and injustice.
The Polish ambassador also addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the war in Ukraine, emphasizing the significance of these two issues for Poland. He noted the positive role of Arab and Palestinian communities in Poland and called for the international community to resolve these situations. He also condemned the violence of Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank and reiterated Poland's support for a two-state solution.
The Independence Day celebration in Poland, in addition to official speeches, provided an opportunity for guests to experience Polish culture through traditional foods and live performances. Musicians such as Natalia Kapińska and Dawid Nowaczyk performed songs including "Dziwny jest ten świat" (This World is Strange), which addresses themes of hatred and the importance of empathy.
Guests also enjoyed traditional Polish dishes such as pierogi, vegetable salad, and apple pie. This event symbolized the strengthening of cultural and commercial cooperation between Poland and Qatar, particularly with the introduction of Polish cabbage products in Lulu Hypermarket in Qatar, which is seen as another way to enhance relations between the two countries.
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