Poland in Venezuela

As part of the commemoration of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Venezuela organized the First Polish Film Week in Venezuela, an unprecedented event honoring the acclaimed Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland. This initiative was part of the Polish Cinema in Latin America project, coordinated simultaneously by Polish embassies in seven countries across the region: Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Panama, and for the first time, Venezuela.

The film showcase took place between May 15 and 29, and was enthusiastically received by Venezuelan audiences. At the heart of the event was a week-long screening series of six emblematic films by Agnieszka Holland, held at Fundación Trasnocho Cultural from May 15 to 21. Featured titles included In Darkness, Green Border, Mr. Jones, Charlatan, Provincial Actors, and Spoor.

The opening night featured a private screening of In Darkness accompanied by a special reception attended by prominent figures from the Venezuelan cultural sector, journalists, and members of the Polish community. During the event, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Daniel Gromann delivered remarks highlighting the significance of this initiative within the context of the Polish Presidency and provided historical context to the featured film. Subsequent screenings were open to the general public at an accessible ticket price, with discounts available for students and senior citizens.

As part of efforts to broaden access to Polish cinema, a free screening of A Woman Alone was held on May 22 at the Concert Hall of the Central University of Venezuela (UCV). This event was specially directed toward students from the Film Department of the School of Arts and was attended by Consul Małgorzata Gromann, representing the Embassy.

The closing event took place at the Tobías Lasser Auditorium of the UCV Faculty of Sciences, featuring a live virtual masterclass from Mexico with Agnieszka Holland herself, who shared insights from her professional journey and reflected on her career and the power of cinema as a tool for social and political engagement.

The First Polish Film Week in Venezuela not only celebrated the artistic legacy of one of the most influential voices in contemporary European cinema, but also established a platform for cultural exchange, academic dialogue, and the strengthening of cooperation between Poland and Venezuela. The success of this initiative reaffirmed the Venezuelan audience's growing interest in international cinema and laid the groundwork for future editions of this type of cultural programming.