The underlying idea of the programme concept is to focus on decentralisation and cooperation and to inspire and enhance local initiatives – sharing the Presidency and celebrating it together all over Poland. Through the cultural programme of the Polish Presidency, we want to expand access to culture. We move away from central celebrations to diversified local initiatives, presenting the cultural wealth of Polish regions – from province capitals to small towns, as a result of which we ensure inclusiveness, egalitarianism and intergenerationality and emphasise the assets and value of localness. We will actively involve smaller towns and local communities in our programme so that no one is left behind. All actions taken will be implemented in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals, as set out in the UN Agenda 2023.

The first pillar of the programme is constituted by nationwide special projects initiated by the NCK, implemented through co-organisation, the goal of which is networking and cooperation. The second pillar – nationwide co-productions as part of cyclical, annual cultural projects. The third pillar – patronage, that is events that may seek the Presidency logo in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister and will be entered into the official government calendar.

We have six months to travel through art, theatre, film, music and literature. We will show Europe how culture can unite and connect people and respond to today’s challenges – from societal changes to global challenges. In the context of Europe, we will show our wealth and commitment to international cooperation. Concerts by young artists, International European Forum Europe with a View of the Future, co-productions of artistic projects, disseminating European ideas, supporting local cultural projects and the final concert of the Presidency – these are the main points of the national cultural programme of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU run by the National Centre for Culture Poland.

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European Day of Music / Connecting Generations Through Music

Looking for a common denominator for the idea of the Presidency, we focused on music as the most universal language and media. During our events, we will present polyphonically interconnected musical styles and talented young artists. In April and May, we invite you to six cities (Szczecin, Olsztyn, Łódź, Zielona Góra, Katowice and Wrocław) for six concerts by young creators during which we will hear klezmer, classical, alt-pop and jazz music and even compositions known from computer games, performed by the following ensembles: Chopin University Big Band, Music Everywhere, Heroes Orchestra, Polish Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra, Klezmer Orchestra of the Sejny Theatre and The Best of Polish Alt-pop (Santabarbara, Oxford Drama, Wczasy, Niemoc and Bluszcz). The finale of the Presidency will also be filled with music – a multi-concert on 27 June, held simultaneously on several open-air stages in five cities, broadcast live on national and regional Polish Television channels.

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Collaborations and co-productions

From the rich reservoir of cyclical national cultural initiatives of an international nature, we have selected nineteen art projects (festivals, reviews, performances, exhibitions) from the fields of film, theatre, music, literature, art, dance, design, folk and traditional culture as well as interdisciplinary events that will take place during the Presidency in fifteen cities through co-production. During our presidential journey, we will visit Poznań, Wrocław, Olsztyn, Warsaw, Lusławice, Katowice, Łódź, Cracow, Białystok, Sopot, Gdańsk, Lublin, Łomża, Poznań and Toruń.

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Europe with a View of the Future – Parliament of Words and SYNERGIE

The SYNERGIE grant programme and the 11^th International European Forum Europe with a View of the Future – Parliament of Words express solidarity, community and cooperation, both locally and internationally. The latter will be held on 3–4 June at the European Solidarity Centre (ECS) in Gdańsk – on the premises of the former Gdańsk Shipyard – the cradle of freedom and solidarity. The event, prepared jointly by the NCK and the ECS, will be attended by approx. 80 guests from Poland and abroad: artists, writers, economists, idea creators, philosophers, trend researchers and cultural theorists. Six debates will be devoted to the key ideas of the Polish Presidency: solidarity and security and topics concerning the future of culture and democracy, intergenerational and intercultural dialogue, the role of technology and the new economy for the development of fair, democratic societies. The place and date have a symbolic meaning: they refer not only to the first democratic elections in Poland, held on 4 June 1989, won by Solidarity, but also to the Tiananmen Square massacre – a peaceful protest in China, brutally pacified by the authorities. In addition to the debates, the Forum programme includes numerous accompanying events, such as a meeting with Olga Tokarczuk, a speech by Lech Wałęsa and outdoor art and performative events.

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SYNERGIE

The SYNERGIE grant programme, initiated by the National Centre for Culture Poland, was the first publicly announced project in the cultural sector under the Presidency, addressed to local government cultural institutions and non-governmental organisations. The programme aims to promote European ideas through local cultural activities in common areas and to support the implementation of the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU: social solidarity and community, supporting young people entering the labour market while activating and involving all age groups in activities in accordance with one of UNESCO’s main social ideas: leave no one behind. The key condition for participation in the programme and obtaining funding was the inclusion of foreign partners from the Member States of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association and the EU candidate countries in the project.

For the call, 380 applications were submitted to the NCK. Grant funds in the total value of PLN 5 million were granted to 71 applicants from 16 voivodships, including 37 non-governmental organisations and 34 local government cultural institutions. Each of the beneficiaries received funding in the amount ranging from PLN 25,000 to PLN 100,000. The projects will be implemented with the participation of foreign partners, including, among others, Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Lithuania, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Norway, Italy, Denmark, Estonia, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Great Britain, Iceland, Switzerland and Georgia.