Poland in Singapore

The ninth edition of the PolandSHIOK! festival took place in Singapore from April 4 to May 17, 2025, further solidifying its role as a comprehensive platform for promoting Polish culture, art, cuisine, tourism, and economic cooperation in Singapore.

The series of events was inaugurated by the Polish Film Festival (April 4–13), a staple in Singapore's cultural calendar, offering audiences a unique opportunity to explore contemporary Polish cinema. This year’s programme included: "Kulej" by Xawery Żuławski (Audience Award, Gdynia Film Festival), "It’s Not My Film" by Maria Zbąska (hailed as the directorial discovery of the year), and "White Courage" by Marcin Koszałka, a multi-award-winning production in Gdynia. Promotional clips from the Embassy and Polish Tourism Organisation were presented alongside the screenings. Audience members could also enter a lucky draw for three airline tickets to Poland, sponsored by Turkish Airlines.

The second half of April focused on the promotion of Polish food and culinary traditions.

As in previous years, Poland participated in the leading food and beverage industry trade show in Southeast Asia – FHA-Food & Beverage Singapore (April 8–11). Over 20 Polish companies exhibited under the national pavilion organized by KOWR, as well as at the KIG Promotion Centre’s booth dedicated to showcasing Polish meat and fruits as part of a sectoral programme.

The trade fair and Polish pavilions were officially opened in the presence of Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Alvin Tan, who underscored the importance of free trade and food imports for Singapore. Culinary demonstrations led by chefs from the KOWR and KIG CP delegations were well-received and drew numerous visitors. With no Polish restaurants operating permanently in Singapore, these events were a rare opportunity for the local public to experience Polish culinary traditions.

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Singapore, together with the local PAIH office and Singaporean partners, organised a number of side events to further promote Polish food products and facilitate networking between Polish exporters, Singaporean importers, distributors, and media representatives.

On April 7, the "CEEfood Experience" networking event was held, co-hosted with other Central and Eastern European embassies. Opening remarks were delivered by the President of the Central and Eastern European Chamber of Commerce and ambassadors of Poland, Lithuania, and Hungary. Additional speeches came from the EU Ambassador and guest of honour, Mr. Damian Chan, President of the Singapore Food Agency.

On the evening of April 8, a business reception co-organised by KIG CP and the Embassy gathered members of Singapore's food and hospitality sector. Opening remarks were delivered by the Embassy's Chargé d'Affaires, Ms Bożena Wroblewska (President of KIG CP), Mr Tomasz Ciodyk (Deputy Director General, KOWR), Mr Piotr Kondraciuk (Director, Economic Cooperation Department, KOWR), and Mr Tomasz Parzybut (President of the Association of Butchers and Meat Processors).

Polish entrepreneurs expressed positive feedback on their participation in FHA, citing high attendance and significant interest in their products.

On April 9, the Embassy hosted a media event titled "Sunreef Polish Soiree" aboard a luxury yacht by Poland’s Sunreef Yachts, replacing the traditional press conference. Attended by local journalists and social media influencers, the event spotlighted Polish food products—particularly meat, juices, and cocktails. It also featured a fashion presentation of amber jewellery by Asian models and multimedia content from KOWR, KIG CP, the Polish Tourism Organisation, and the Embassy. The event highlighted Polish food within the broader context of luxury, design, and cultural tourism.

In addition to business-focused events, Polish cuisine was made accessible to the wider public. In cooperation with Best of Poland SG, Novotel on Stevens, PAIH Singapore, and local sponsors, the Polish Weekend @Stevens (April 12–13) featured Polish culinary delights prepared under the direction of Polish chef Marcin Suchenka. Guests also enjoyed a Polish-themed quiz, an art exhibition titled "Singapore Landscapes Through the Eyes of a Polish Artist" by Berenika Drążewska, and an after-dark fire show by Anna Laksa from Silent Star Singapore.

The Polish Brunch on Sunday attracted food lovers to a buffet of traditional Polish fare—pierogi, żurek, bigos, sernik, and szarlotka—alongside signature cocktails based on Żubrówka and a Polish-inspired Singapore Sling. A raffle was held during the brunch with the grand prize of two airline tickets to Poland, sponsored by Turkish Airlines.

Constitution Day on May 3 was marked by an official reception on April 26, attended by government officials, diplomats, cultural and business representatives, and the Polish community. Speeches were delivered by Ambassador Tadeusz Chomicki and a senior official from Singapore’s Europe Department. Guests viewed exhibitions "Constitution of May 3" and "Europe We Share."

On May 7, the "Empower Her" event focused on holistic women’s development, featuring a workshop titled "Accountability Circle" led by Aga Gajownik (Innovation & Integration), where participants explored goal-setting, intrinsic motivation, and strategies for personal and professional growth.

During the festival, attendees could also visit two exhibitions showcasing Polish innovation and creativity: "Blown Away" by Oskar Zięta, presenting FiDU design technology; and "The Copernicus Principle" at the Science Centre Singapore, an interactive experience exploring Copernicus’s revolutionary contributions to astronomy.

The festival concluded on May 17 with a jazz concert by the renowned Artur Dutkiewicz Trio, held in the picturesque Singapore Botanic Gardens to celebrate the 234th anniversary of the Constitution of May 3 and the start of Poland’s EU Council Presidency. The group performed their signature compositions blending classic jazz with Polish musical traditions.

That same evening, the Trio performed again at Blu Jaz Café, one of Singapore’s most iconic jazz clubs, first as a standalone act and then in collaboration with a Brazilian jazz ensemble. The following day, the musicians joined a jam session with Singaporean artists, creating a vibrant intercultural musical exchange.

PolandSHIOK 2025’s tourism campaign was once again supported by Turkish Airlines, which contributed three round-trip tickets to Poland for festival raffles. Raffles took place during the Polish Weekend @Stevens and the Artur Dutkiewicz Trio concert at the Botanic Gardens. Tourism content was also available on the festival’s website (www.polandshiok.sg) and showcased in video form at the Polish Film Festival and Constitution Day reception.

The full programme of PolandSHIOK 2025 is available at www.polandshiok.sg.