Poland in Lebanon

On 2 May, a new flag of the Republic of Poland was raised at the Polish War Cemetery in Beirut – presented by the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, to the Fenicja Foundation. The flag reached Lebanon thanks to the dedication of the Wolne Miejsce Foundation, whose representatives – Marta Wilczyńska and Mikołaj Rykowski – personally undertook its transport and delivery. The ceremony was also attended by Kazimierz Gajowy, President of the Fenicja Foundation. The white-and-red flag, flying above Polish graves on Lebanese soil, is a sign of remembrance, endurance, and a community that knows no borders. It connects those who rest here, far from their homeland, with those who remember them today – regardless of where their paths once crossed. It is precisely this continuity – between generations, between the homeland and the diaspora – that gave this ceremony its special significance.

The following day, on 3 May, we celebrated Constitution Day – the anniversary of the adoption in 1791 of the first modern constitution in Europe, one of the greatest achievements of Polish political and legal thought. This year, we were honoured to mark this exceptional occasion together with members of the Polish community in Lebanon, at St. Takla Church in Kartaboun. The ceremony was not only an opportunity to reflect on the history and values that laid the foundations of the Polish Republic, but also a beautiful testament to how Polish identity and tradition endure beyond the country's borders. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the parish and the Fenicja Foundation for their hospitality and for making this shared celebration possible.