We invite you to walk together along the Water of Leith in Edinburgh. The route is approximately 20 km long and fits perfectly into the celebration of Poland’s 20th anniversary in the European Union.

This trail is very picturesque and interesting. We will, among others: walk through the beautiful Colinton Tunnel, along the Union Canal, through the aqueduct, enter Dean Village and go under Dean Bridge. With a bit of luck, we will see herons and other birds living by the water.

We will pass several cafes along the way, but it is better to bring your own food and drink. Along the way, as usual, we will make a few stops and a small picnic.

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Event organiser: Grupa Turystyczno- Krajoznawcza “Na przełaj” w Edynburgu: LINK

Polski MOST is an independent, supra-political Polish diaspora organization, operating beyond divisions, established to support the Polish diaspora and cooperate with other Polish organizations. LINK

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“Walk with Klementyna” Treasure Hunt is an event organized by Polski MOST as part of the Festival of Freedom. 20 years of Poland in the European Union.

We invite you to watch a charming set of animations for the youngest viewers (preschool age, children from 3 years of age) selected by the O!PLA National Animation Festival. LINK

We will watch 9 short films. You will meet the dog Smiley and his friend the bird Dzióbek, Bobaska and the friendly Teddy Bear, the boy known from the series of books by Bogna Sroka-Mucha, “Czapu Czipu”, and even the Monster Dentist!

Movies without dialogue

Program:
1. Smiley and Dzióbek series, Poland 2017, dir. M. Pestka, episode: “Mushroom picking”
2. Bobaski i Miś, Poland, 2020, dir. M. Skrobecki, episode “Dziura”
3. Czapu Czipu, Poland, 2017, dir. Bogna Sroka-Mucha, Tomasz Głodek, episode “What’s so stinging and stomping?”
4. Little Science and some Fiction, Poland, 2015, dir. T. Niedźwiedź, episode “The Flag”
5. Monster Dentist, Poland, 2017, dir. I. Rybak
7. Trousers and iron, Poland 2018, dir. J. Orlik
8. Smiley and Dzióbek series, Poland 2017, dir. M. Pestka, episode “Let’s go skiing”
9. Bobaski and Miś, episode “Day and Night”, Poland, 2020, dir. M. Skrobecki,

Duration: 31 min. 51′

Films kindly provided by O!pla, consider supporting them on patronite: LINK

Dobrochna Futro from the University of Glasgow will engage participants in a creative activity about multilingualism, multicultural identity and speaking one or more languages. Paint and brushes will be in use, everyone is welcome!

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Dr Dobrochna Futro, Associate Tutor (School of Education), University of Glasgow: LINK

Tanja Bueltmann’s lecture will explore the meaning of freedom of movement for EU citizens in Scotland and Scots in the EU, looking at how it shaped their sense of belonging and identity.

Prof. Tanja Bueltmann is a German-British historian and academic, who holds the chair in International History at the University of Strathclyde. She specialises in the history of migration and diaspora. She is also a citizens’ rights campaigner and founder of the EU Citizens’ Champion campaign.

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Event organiser: Prof. Tanja Bueltmann’s, University of Strathclyde: LINK

The festival’s programme is created to serve as a refreshing introduction to EU’s freedoms included in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: freedom to choose an occupation and right to engage in work, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of the arts and sciences, freedom of expression and information. It will provide the stage for the lively timetable of inspiring and entertaining public events, set against the positive backdrop of Scottish, Polish, and European integration across Scotland. 

Progressive time is a string trio. Kateryna Tunina is a cellist from Donetsk, Maria Zhuravleva is a violinist and viola player from Kharkiv, and Bohdan Ilnytskyi is a violinist and a conductor from Lviv.

All fled the war and met for the first time in Glasgow. They had a common idea to represent Ukrainian culture abroad, to play Ukrainian pop, folk and classical music, music that is a lost treasure for the world.

Progressive time has already performed in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen at various events to raise funds for Ukraine. They also jointly organised the Culture code project, where they perform and talk about Ukrainian music. It was the first Ukrainian concert at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Programme:

1. Mykola Lysenko – Rhapsody No. 2 “Thought-Shumka”

2. Ivasyuk – A song among us

3. Hutsul Fantasy

For the visuals during the performance, we will be presenting traditional Ukrainian folk art vytynanki designed and kindly shared with us by Ukrainian contemporary artist Daria Alyoshina. A classically trained monumental and decorative sculptor, Daria Alyoshkina turned to the ancient traditional Ukrainian art of vytynanka after failing to combine the sculptor profession with motherhood. One of her main reasons for choosing the craft of paper cutting was her desire to preserve this magnificent art for the coming generations.

Instagram: LINK

Facebook: LINK

The polonaise is a national Polish dance and global treasure. On 5 December 2023, the polonaise was inscribed on the UNESCO World Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The group was founded in 2016 in Paisley, Scotland and is made up of Poles living in Scotland. Now we are part of the Sikorski Polish Club in Glasgow. The dancers stand out on stage in handmade costumes of Polish nobility from the 16th century and dance the polonaise to classical music.

The idea of ​​the group is to unite communities through dance, because dance does not require words. Over the years, the group has appeared several times in local newspapers, performed in Scottish schools and at various integration events, where it delighted Polish, Scottish and international audiences.

The organization was founded in 2019 by folklore lovers and former Slovak folklorists living in Scotland. As the only organization of its kind in Scotland, Súbor is dedicated to cultivating Slovak traditions and folklore, practising and presenting folk dances, music, singing, clothing and musical instruments, and organizing events for the Slovak and Czech communities in Scotland, as well as representing Slovakia in the Scottish community.

The events organized by our team to strengthen national awareness, cultural and linguistic identity of Slovaks living abroad include traditional folk festivals and meetings of natives from Slovakia, but also from the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and other nationalities, examples of year-round traditions (e.g. .May building, carnivals, Christmas customs), representing Slovakia at national events in Scotland (e.g. celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Gentle Revolution), craft schools, dance workshops and representing the Scottish Slovak minority at local community events in Scotland and across the UK.

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Facebook: LINK

Hop-Trop” is an Edinburgh based dance group for Bulgarian Folk Dances.

We dance traditional circle dances called ‘horo’, characterised by diverse steps and intricate vibrant rhythms. We have been around for about 10 years now, having regular classes for all levels, as well as performing around Edinburgh and the UK at various events and festivals such as the Pomegranates Festival, and Fringe festival.

We love dancing and performing just as much we love exploring other cultures and bringing traditional dancing together

The Dance Party will be full of Euro dance and disco hits, including “Fellicita” by Al Bano and Romina Power, “Dancing Queen” by Abba, “Voyage, voyage” by Desireless, Sabrina “Boys”, Modern Talking “Cheri, Cheri Lady”, Technotronic “Pump up the Jam”, Go_A “Shum” and evergreens such as “Yes Sir I can boogie” by Baccara. We will finish off with Anna Jantar “Nic nie może przecież wiecznie trwać”.

During the party, Robert Motyka will display large scale European themed visuals in the Main Hall of the venue.