Chargé d’Affaire’s Message

Welcome to the 8th edition of the PolandSHIOK festival – an all-encompassing platform showcasing Polish culture, art, history, culinary traditions, as well as business opportunities.

 

The 2024 edition is on, and we have prepared a variety of events aiming at promoting Poland and strengthening the Polish community in Singapore.

 

As in the previous year, PolandSHIOK will be presented in the framework of Polish Heritage Days – a worldwide initiative undertaken by the Polish community across the globe to promote and celebrate Polish culture, the heritage of past generations, and Polish contribution to the cultural, economic, and social life.  

 

What happens at  PolandSHIOK this year?

 

In April, the festival takes off  with the VI edition of the Polish Film Showcase at The Projector Cinema featuring recent Polish productions critically acclaimed both in Poland and abroad. Each film offers a unique perspective on life, love, and the human spirit – two history dramas and one documentary. The showcase opens with “The Peasants” – an adult animated movie adapted from W. Reymont’s Nobel Prize-winning novel by the producer’s team behind the Oscar-shortlisted “My Vincent”. “Kos (Scarborn),” portrays a Polish and American war hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko. The documentary feature film “In the Rearview”, which was shortlisted for the 96th Academy Awards in the Best Documentary Feature Film category shares compelling stories of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war.

 

May will be marked by music.

 

Enjoy with us the magic of Chopin’s timeless music at a picnic-style concert in the tranquil settings of the iconic Singapore Botanic Gardens. The event, organised on the occasion of the Polish 3rd May Constitution Day, the 55th anniversary of Poland-Singapore Diplomatic Relations, and the 20th anniversary of the Polish Embassy in Singapore will evoke the spirit of the long-standing Chopin concerts held in the Royal Łazienki Park in Warsaw. The talented duo of Elżbieta Woleńska on the flute and Katarzyna Borek on the piano will perform for us selected works of famous Polish composers.

 

Do not miss two exceptional piano recitals at the Victoria Concert Hall, organised by Altenburg Arts Pte. Ltd.

 

Polish artist, Piotr Anderszewski, regarded as one of the most original and charismatic pianists of his generation and Dang Thai Son, a Vietnamese – Canadian pianist, the winner of the X International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw awarded by Poland’s Ministry of Culture with the Gloria Arts Gold Medal for Merit to Culture will captivate the audience with a repertoire featuring pieces by Chopin and Szymanowski and other renowned European composers. 

 

Literature lovers can discover on our website more about Polish writers honoured by Polish Senat as patrons of the Year 2024 – Czesław Miłosz, a prominent poet and winner of the 1980 Nobel Literature Prize, and Witold Gombrowicz, a leading figure in Polish literature of the 20th century. Their works, translated into English, are a part of the collection of the Singapore National Library, among other Polish books donated by our Embassy two years ago.

 

The PolandSHIOK festival wouldn’t be fully experienced without savouring Polish gastronomy.

 

You will have an opportunity to experience the richness of authentic Polish cuisine at the Poland Shiok Weekend @STEVENS – a Saturday picnic featuring BBQ delights, a lively bar party with authentic Polish drinks and music spun by DJ Miko&Stanlej Martino and a delightful Sunday Polish brunch.

 

For those who love the outdoors, we have a friendly Family Bike Ride along the scenic East Coast Park in Singapore, followed by a refreshing coffee and breakfast break at the end.   

 

Our business agenda includes B2B meetings organised with Polish and local partners and aimed at promoting Polish food and alcohol brands, along with our presence at the Polish national booth during the Food and Hotel Asia.

 

I look forward to welcoming you to the festival and sharing with you the richness and diversity of Polish culture. Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and enjoy PolandSHIOK!

 

Last but not least, do not miss the chance to win flight tickets to Poland with Turkish Airlines. Come to our events to learn how to join the lucky draw!

 

Keep visiting the PolandSHIOK Festival website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated.

 

Ilona Korchut, Chargé d’affaires a.i., the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Singapore