• May 29, 2017
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Poets’ paths attracted poets to Vilnius for the 24th time

Originator and organizer of International Poetic Festival taking place each year in Vilnius, Romuald Mieczkowski, said in his invitation ‘let all the literary paths lead you to Vilia’. There were 30 poets not only from Poland, but also from many other countries.

On the 29th of May, by the Adam Mickiewicz monument in Vilnius, before taking the picture all the frequent visitors greeted, as well as poets who took part in the magical city for the first time.

Unfortunately, there was no Romek on the family picture, who was in hospital in Vilnius. There is pneumonia plague. Hospitals have been full of people with high fever, cough, shortness of breath for the whole May. Romuald Mieczkowski was one of them. But he has planed the festival in details, so there has been no problems during his absence. He has been substituted by his son, Maciej Mieczkowski (journalist, political scientist).

Organizational matters have been taken care of by the president of the festival ‘Emigra’ Agata Lewandowski from Germany. Poetic events have been taken care of Janusz Wójcik, a poet from Brzeg by Opole, who is one of the frequent visitors of the festival and a huge Vilnius region lover.

Event program dedicated to 125th year anniversary of Melchior Wańkowicz remains unchanged, said Maciej Mieczkowski to Kurier Wileński. All meeting that have been planed, like the one in Polish Institute in Vilnius, or one by the Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Vilnius, which is Konrad’s cell.

Also according to the announcement Festival of Emigration Films about Poles abroad ‘Emigra’ will take place in Polish Institute (10am). Everyone is welcomed to all the events, free entry.

Stanisław Cygnarowski, consul-general of Poland, participated in the opening ceremony of the festival on the yard of Adam Mickiewicz Museum. He highlighted in his speech how important the festival is. It is an important part of polish culture in Vilnius. He wished all the participants to discover the city, which is the meeting point of poets.

Marcin Łapczyński, a director of Polish Institute in Vilnius expressed his satisfaction that such interesting meetings, like one with guest of honor, writer Aleksandra Ziókowska Boehm, famous photographer Jan Skłodowski, co-author of ‘Śladami słów skrzydlatych’, vice-chairman of the Help for the Poles in the East Foundation, said that the foundation is trying to help in education and polish culture development, where Poles live. After the opening called ‘Let’s get to know each other’ guests and poets presented their own poems.

Translated by Agnieszka Piontek within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.

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