Peru, Poland celebrate 100th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations

Photo: Twitter/Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

Photo: Twitter/Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

09:32 | Lima, Dec. 15.

Peruvian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ignacio Higueras and Polish Ambassador to Peru Magdalena Śniadecka – Kotarska presided over commemorative activities marking the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Peru and Poland.

Joined by Assistant Manager for Marketing and Philately at Serpost, Monica Macedo, the authorities participated in a ceremony to present a commemorative postage stamp depicting the citadel of Machu Picchu and the Wawel Castle in Poland, which were declared World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Moreover, Deputy Minister Higueras and Ambassador Sniadecka – Kotarska inaugurated the photographic and documentary exhibition that captures some relevant milestones of the bonds of friendship and solidarity that Peru and Poland have developed throughout 100 years of diplomatic relations as independent States.
 
The exhibition shows the original document of the agreement on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Peru and Poland signed in 1923, as well as other instruments concerning cultural, economic, scientific, and cooperation matters, which prove the excellent relationship between both countries.
 
During the exhibition's opening ceremony, Ambassador Higueras underscored that Peru and Poland share values such as freedom, democracy, and defense of multilateralism, adding that both countries develop various projects of bilateral cooperation and, through the European Union, in areas such as culture and education.
 
On the other hand, the deputy minister noted that famous Peruvians have left their mark in Poland, such as Ambassador Javier Perez de Cuellar, who was head of the Peruvian mission in Warsaw between 1969 and 1971 and, years later, became Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Likewise, he mentioned that another illustrious Peruvian diplomat, Jose Gambetta Bonatti, who served as Consul in Warsaw, was declared "Righteous Among the Nations" for having saved the lives of Jewish citizens during World War II.
 
In addition, the Peruvian government official recalled that there was a spontaneous Polish migration to Lima and various regions across Peru in the second half of the 19th century. Said Polish migrants brought an important academic and cultural background with them, which allowed them to stand out in various fields.
 
For example, he referred to Ernesto Malinowski, who contributed to the development of the railway and communications network in Peru; as well as Ricardo de Jaxa Malachowski, father of Peruvian architecture. 

Other citizens with Polish ancestry or nationality in contemporary times are Maria Rostworowski de Diez Canseco, Krzysztof Makowski, Fernando de Szyszlo, and Jose Tola; in addition to the Tarnawiecki family, who contributed to Peruvian musical development; as well as the Habich family, whose patriarch, Eduardo de Habich, was the founder of the School of Engineers —currently the National Engineering University (UNI).

For her part, Polish Ambassador to Peru Magdalena Sniadecka - Kotarska underscored that the relations between both countries "represent constant dialogue, mutual respect, and the willingness to work together."

She remarked that, over the years, Poland and Peru have "witnessed fruitful collaboration in various fields from socio-culture and education to trade and technological cooperation."

(END) NDP/RMB/MVB

Publicado: 15/12/2023