Poland in Indonesia

The event was organized for participants of Polish language courses conducted with the support of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA).

The workshop was led by Polish chefs Marcin Budynek and Kamil Babkowski, who introduced participants to the traditions of Polish cuisine through the hands-on preparation of selected dishes. The menu included traditional Polish specialties such as gzik (a cottage cheese and potato dish), potato-and-cheese pierogi, strawberry pierogi, and apple fritters. The practical cooking sessions were complemented by a presentation on Polish cuisine and its role in Polish culture and everyday life, delivered by Ms Natalia Wójcik-Kubisiak.

A total of 46 students representing various levels of language proficiency, from A1 to B1, took part in the event. The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Jakarta provided participants with promotional materials and food products used during the workshop. The event was also attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Indonesia, Barbara Szymanowska.

The workshop provided an opportunity to combine language learning with a direct experience of Poland’s culinary heritage. Preparing traditional dishes together enabled participants not only to discover the flavors of Poland, but also to gain a deeper understanding of selected aspects of Polish culture, customs, and everyday life.

Polish language courses at Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya were launched in 2016 as part of academic cooperation between the university and the University of Silesia. In subsequent years, they continued to develop with the support of NAWA’s “Lectors” programme. Over the past decade, the initiative has become an important element of promoting the Polish language and culture in Indonesia, as well as an example of long-lasting and fruitful academic cooperation between Poland and Indonesia.

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Jakarta consistently supports the teaching of Polish as a foreign language in Indonesia, viewing it as an important component of cultural diplomacy and long-term relationship-building between the two countries. The anniversary culinary workshop also provided an opportunity to highlight the excellent cooperation with Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya, which has been a key partner in implementing Polish educational and cultural initiatives in Indonesia for many years.