The "Albanian Spring" integration picnic is traditionally organized at the end of spring, near the beginning of summer.
This year, on Saturday, June 22, Albanians from Albania and Kosovo and other Albanian-speaking territories met with Poland and Poles associated with Albania and Kosovo and Polish supporters of both countries once again met in Ciechocinek, in the welcoming garden of Professor Irena Sawicka, linguist, Slavologist and Balkanologist.
The management of the Polish-Albanian Association, led by the president Dorota Horodyska, and the Polish-Kosovo Association KOS-POL, led by the president Haxhi Dulla, have put their heart and work into the preparation of the picnic.
Before the guests were officially received, members of both associations hung flags, prepared vegetables for salads, laid tables with food and drinks. It should be added that with the arrival of guests, the number of guests at the tables also increased, as everyone brought something delicious, salty or sweet. To emphasize the Balkan nature of the picnic, the menu included among others: baklava, pie, Turkish delight, raki and wine from Kosovo
When everything was ready, at noon, the presidents warmly welcomed all the guests who came from different parts of Poland, especially: Mimoza Halimi, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Poland, Drilon S. Gashi, Ambassador, Head of Mission of the Republic of of Kosovo in Poland, Avni Bilbilaj, military attaché of the Republic of Albania in Poland, Paweł Michalak, Honorary Consul of Albania in Poland, Jarosław Rosochacki, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Albania in Poland, Professor Maciej Zieliński from Adam Mickiewicz University, Aleksandra Głowacka from the Society of Fryderyk Chopin in Sanniki, Andrzej Rola-Stężycki, regionalist, historian, author of articles about Antoni Crutta.
The picnic, as in previous years, was a social meeting of people who like the Albanian atmosphere and culture, as both countries, like each other, and such occasions as in Ciechocinek are rare, only a few times a year. Therefore, there are many topics for discussion, "what's up with whom" exchange, etc. The organizers, as usual, have taken care to provide interesting information during the meeting. This year, Irena Sawicka presented the profile of Wacław Cimochowski (1912-1982), a prominent Polish albanologist, unfortunately forgotten in Poland. Dorota Horodyska prepared a presentation entitled: Fryderyk Chopin and "Postcard from Albania": Crutta Days in Belsk Duży Anno Domini municipality. She spoke about the plans for the continuation of cooperation with the municipality and how important it is for both sides - the inhabitants of the municipality and our societies to gain supporters and to expand the knowledge of Albanian culture and the history of Albanians who have distinguished themselves for Poland.
Haxhi Dulla prepared the history of Balkan dances and their filmed demonstration performed by professional Albanian dancers.
The picnic ended late in the evening. Those who had to, left the same day, and those who could, stayed until the next day for the so-called "Common Good Morning"
The participants of the picnic unanimously noted that it was pleasant, interesting, tasty, and it was a pity that we had to wait a year for the next meeting!