Poland in Australia

The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Sydney, as part of the “Literary Club at the Consulate” initiative, organised an event dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives in the plane crash near Smolensk on 10 April 2010.

In his opening remarks, the Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Sydney, Piotr Rakowski, referred to the tragic events while also emphasising the importance of restoring the memory of all those who perished, noting that they “are not defined by their death, but above all by their lives-by what they did and who they were.” He also highlighted the personal significance of several of the victims in his own recollections, including members of the diplomatic service, and acknowledged the dedication of his colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who in those days carried out extensive efforts to support the families affected.

The literary and musical evening provided an opportunity to listen to poetic works read by Elżbieta Chylewska and Marta Kieć-Gubała, as well as musical compositions and arrangements performed by Mirosław Gałczyński.

Representatives of the Polish community in Sydney gathered at the Consulate and reflected in silence and contemplation on the events of fifteen years ago, marking the occasion in a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Below is a poem written on 10 April 2010 in Australia by E. Chylewska, presented during the event:

“Dinner”

An uninvited guest
at a scheduled dinner
announced the bad news

first they fell silent
as if they had lost the power of speech

they stood up from the table
history cannot be experienced
while sitting down

they reached for
sleepy phones in their pockets
each one calling
a tragic message

disaster

they resumed conversations
but appetite never returned