By Agnieszka Kuchnia-Wolosiewicz
June is very important to me because I wanted to write something about myself too، In a different way. Sometimes we should see the world through our eyes rather than the world’s eyes۔ I probably wouldn’t have been able to write if my friend and the Editor-in-Chief of the London Post, Raza Syed, persistent push urged me to delve into my life beyond journalism. We should write something that people could feel that we are not robots but human. You may already have caught glimpses of it through my reports from various events I co-organized and attended, not merely as an observer but an engaged participant.
I must say, the cultural scene for Poles in Great Britain is thriving, with numerous beautiful events unfolding. I consider myself fortunate to be surrounded by artists who not only excel in their craft but also share a deep camaraderie, trust, and a shared passion for collaborative ventures.
One remarkable occasion was on June 10th, where I was invited as a literary guest by Dariusz Zeller, a poet, and Remi Juskiewicz, a musician, to The Polish Social and Cultural Center in London for the ‘Spotkania autorskie.’ Roza Wigeland and Pawel Jasinki were also present, discussing their creative works, with Pawel simultaneously exhibiting his paintings in the POSK gallery.
A few days later, I had the privilege of discussing my art as an immigrant at an author’s meeting in Krakow, alongside my mother, Malgorzata Kuchnia. It was an unforgettable time spent with family, friends, and curious guests who were eager to hear our poems and understand the world we inhabit and create.
The mutual support among us artists was evident on June 16th when two of my writer and poet friends, Kasia Krawiecka and Dorota Gorczynska-Bacik, and I were warmly welcomed as members of The Union of Polish Writers Abroad. This momentous occasion was marked with a literary evening at The Polish Social and Cultural Center in London, complemented by musical performances from Isa Conar and Remi Juskiewicz.
Then, on June 17th, Isa Conar and I had the honor of performing at the 70th Anniversary of the Polish Association in Slough. The gala was a beautiful celebration filled with cherished memories and heartfelt emotions as I recited my own poems and those of Sebastian Rysnik (invited by his suggestion), while Isa played soul-stirring songs from our joint album, ‘Krople Rosy.’ The evening was a heartwarming experience for all.
Continuing our journey, the following day, Isa Conar and I promoted our album ‘Krople Rosy’ in Kettering at the ‘Gospoda’ Restaurant, which is run by Andzelika Kostryca. Accompanying us was Kasia Krawiecka, who enthralled the audience with her poetry, and Beata Kubiak, who highlighted the positive impact of cultural engagement on one’s well-being.
Now, as the emotions of those extraordinary days gradually settle, I store them safely in the memory box to savor throughout the summer. If you ever wish to immerse yourself in the enchanting ambiance of these marvelous evenings, feel free to follow my profile on Facebook. There, you’ll find more announcements of upcoming events, including ones in Poland. I extend my warm invitation and heartfelt thanks for letting me share all these moments with you – through words, descriptions, and photographs.
