A symbolic date: Maria Skłodowska-Curie’s heritage

The date, 20 April, is by no means accidental. It marks the anniversary of the enshrinement of Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s remains in the Panthéon in Paris (1995). As the first woman honoured at the memorial for her own achievements, the Nobel laureate remains a powerful symbol of Polish–French scientific and cultural synergy. Today, this shared history forms the foundation for modern cooperation in the fields of security, economy, and high technologies.

The summit in Gdańsk: a new architecture of cooperation

Following the provisions of the Treaty of Nancy—signed on 9 May 2025 and in force since 22 January 2026—the two countries are launching a series of annual intergovernmental summits. The first of these important meetings is to take place in Gdańsk. In their talks, the two countries’ leaders will focus on building a strong, competitive, and secure Europe, and the summits themselves will serve both capitals as the main vehicle for defining policy directions.

Polish–French Friendship Day is not only a commemoration of our shared history, but primarily an investment in the future. The strong alliance between Warsaw and Paris is now one of the pillars of entire European Union’s stability and development

insisted Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.

Our partnership has entered a new stage: Warsaw and Paris now speak in one voice when it comes to all major debates on the community’s future. Through regular summits and coordinated policies, Poland and France are steadily laying the groundwork for a secure Europe—one that is capable of protecting its values and emerging as a top competitor in the international arena.

The Bronisław Geremek Prize

The Gdańsk meeting highlights will include the announcement of the first ever Bronisław Geremek Prize laureate. This distinction, established recently by both countries’ Ministers of Foreign Affairs, recognises individuals and institutions who have made an outstanding contribution to building bridges between the two nations. The Prize also fits into the social dimension of the Treaty of Nancy. We are determined to both honour past achievements and inspire future efforts aimed at bringing the Polish and French societies closer. The awardee is selected by a prize committee composed of members appointed by both countries’ foreign ministers.

Culture and regions: the 2027 Season

The Friendship Day is much more than backroom diplomacy: multiple regional events have been planned in both Poland and France. What is more, this initiative is a prelude to the Poland–France Cultural Season scheduled for 2027.