Two high-profile events marked the end of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and Poland. All through 2019, the Italian Embassy in Warsaw, in partnership with the Italian Institute of Culture in the Polish capital, the Italian Trade Agency – ICE, and the Italian-Polish Chamber of Commerce, together with some of the most prestigious Polish institutions, developed a rich programme of diplomatic events ranging from economy and culture to sports. The programme reached a wide and heterogeneous audience, which responded with great participation, confirming the unconditional feeling of friendship that the people of Poland have for Italy.
A book entitled ‘ Italia-Polonia 1919-2019: Un meraviglioso viaggio insieme lungo cent’anni” (Italy-Poland 1919-2019: the story of a wonderful journey that lasted one hundred years) was presented on 2 December last. The book, which is the result of the cooperation between the Institute of Culture in Poland, the National Museum and the University of Warsaw, narrates many human and cultural stories and events that highlight the strength of the relationship between the two countries. The “Italian-Polish Forum on Aerospace”, a high-profile economic diplomacy event, followed on 4 December. The Forum was attended by government officials, the Presidents of the Italian and Polish space agencies, Saccoccia and Szaniawski, and numerous representatives of the aeronautical and space industry of the two Countries.
Both these events were very successful, crowning a rich programme of celebrations that throughout 2019, highlighted the close ties between the Italian and Polish people in every field, starting from art and culture. Special mention should be made in this respect of two events, namely the concert of the “Virtuosi del Teatro alla Scala” conducted by Maestro Massimiliano Caldi held on 16 April at the prestigious Warsaw Philharmonic, and the “Leonardo Opera Omnia” exhibition on display at the National Museum until the end of last June.
A Forum entitled “Polish-Italian Strategic Dialogue” was held on 17 October at the Polish headquarters of the College of Europe (Natolin), in conjunction with the Institute of International Affairs (IAI) and the Polish Institute for International Affairs (PISM) with a view to promoting a better understanding between the two Countries. The Forum was an opportunity for experts in international politics to discuss the Italian-Polish relations as they were in the past and the way they are at present against a European and international backdrop characterized by many common challenges.
