Welcome to the 7th edition of the PolandSHIOK festival – an all-encompassing platform focused on presenting Polish culture, art, history, culinary traditions, as well as business opportunities.

The 2023 edition is on, and we have prepared a variety of events aiming at promoting Poland and strengthening the Polish community in Singapore.

Through PolandSHIOK we want audience in Singapore to get exposed to and inspired by our creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, as well as the rich history and traditions, shared by close to 40 million people in Poland and 20 million strong Polish diaspora abroad.

This is why for the first time PolandSHIOK is presented in the framework of Polish Heritage Days – a  worldwide initiative undertaken by Polish community across the globe, usually in the month of May, which corresponds with Poland’s National Day – May 3^rd Constitution Day.  

The idea behind Polish Heritage Days is to promote and celebrate Polish culture, the heritage of past generations, and Polish contribution to the cultural, economic, and social life, also here in Singapore.  

In 2023 we are in particular excited to focus on the 550th birth anniversary of Mikołaj Kopernik, one of the most celebrated Poles – the father of modern astronomy. We were happy to partner with the Singapore Science Centre and present a cross-disciplinary approach to his legacy that resonates well with science-oriented Singapore.

2023 is also dedicated to famous Polish artists – Wisława Szymborska, 1996 Nobel Literature Prize winner described by its committee as the “Mozart of poetry,” and Jerzy Nowosielski, painter, graphic artist, scenographer, and illustrator. Following the Embassy’s book donation to National Library Board in 2022, Polish literature for all readers, big and small, is now more accessible in Singapore’s libraries.

What lies ahead?

The 5th Polish Film Festival will take place at The Projector Cinema, starting on 14 April, showcasing two successful debut features: “Dangerous Gentlemen” by Bartosch Blaschke and “Sonata” by Maciej Kawalski as well “Sweat” the newest work of Magnus von Horn – Swedish director and screenwriter who is an alumnus, and now also a lecturer, at the famous National Film School in Łódź. I encourage you to see all the movies. Try to catch also the Academy Award Foreign Feature nominee “EO” by Jerzy Skolimowski.

PolandSHIOK started in 2017 as a Polish Food Festival aimed at presenting that “Poland tastes good” and has kept the outstanding culinary promise at the centre. Did you know that pierogi (Polish dumplings) were recently ranked #16 best-rated dish in the world by TasteAtlas? Sernik (Polish cheesecake) was #2 among the best cakes! Poland is SHIOK and I’m glad to announce that Polish Culinary Week is back in town. Between 27 April and 3 May, at the renowned Winestone restaurant, you can have a dinner composed of a wide variety of Polish delicacies, ranging from traditional dishes to modern twists on classic recipes – all prepared by expert chefs from Poland.

Last but not least, something not only for sports enthusiasts – we plan to close the festival with a friendly Family Bike Ride along the East Coast, to mark World Bicycle Day. Join us with family and friends, all are welcome. It might not be possible without you!

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!

If you run a business and want to be part of the next edition, let us know! We are already planning!

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