Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan
You didn’t have to be of Polish descent to be invited to the Annual Mikołajki Party at the Embassy of Poland, but we sure hope you polished your shoes. Tradition (or folklore) has it that earlier in the month you’re supposed to clean and shine your shoes the night before a mini-Christmas (Mikołajki) December 6, the feast of St Nicholas. If you’ve been good, you will find something nice in them the next morning.
If the number of presents found under the tree at the Embassy were any indication, there were a lot of ‘good’ kids in Poland this year. Guests were encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to be donated to kids in need. Over a 150 toys were collected and were donated to the Mary’s Center Holiday Drive. In the spirit of the Holiday Season each guest also received a traditional Polish Christmas ornament. The Annual event was held in cooperation with The Meridian International Center Rising Leaders Council & American Polish Forum.
Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf welcomed guests from Capitol Hill, the Administration, the media and the Diplomatic Corps to celebrate the Holiday Season, friendship, and efforts to strengthen US Polish relations, reflecting on some of the successes and challenges of the past year. He expressed hopefulness for an even more productive 2016 in US Polish relations, wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year.
Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf
Guests enjoyed specially drinks and holiday cuisine prepared by Embassy chef Andrzej Bielach after a raffle when prizes highlighted Polish literature, arts, cuisine, music and travel destinations. The Grand Prize came courtesy of Mr. Marcin Gortat and his MG13 Foundation and included two tickets to an NBA game as well as the opportunity to meet the Washington Wizard Center and Poland’s only NBA player post the game.
We’re not sure how SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE got through security, but they did.
Suspicious Package
