Polish six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union is underway under the slogan "Security, Europe!" What does it entail? It is about the cooperation of the three countries that hold this function in succession (Poland is accompanied by Denmark and Cyprus) - they form a single program of activities. The trio of presidencies also means activities related to culture. What can Poland boast about in Europe?
Exhibition at the European Parliament
photo: Marek Swoboda
The international cultural program was developed by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. It is intended, by its creators, to present the diversity and multidisciplinarity of the Polish art scene. The events (nearly 100!) organized from January to the end of June 2025 in more than 20 countries, including those that are candidates to join the European Union (and online - playlists with carefully selected works are available), are a cultural expedition exploring art, theater, film, music and literature.
Exhibition in the lobby of the Justus Lipsius building
Photo: Marek Swoboda
sparks of culture
The slogan around which the Polish program is centered is "Culture Sparks Unity." It shows that it is culture that can be the spark, the impulse that will help build unity.
The Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2025 is a unique opportunity to emphasize the importance of culture as one of the most important tools in building international relations. A country's position is based not only on political action, economic strength or negotiating skills, but also on culture, which is the foundation of the so-called soft power, or soft power of the state. I call this "national charisma." A well-thought-out cultural policy cements the country's position as a leader on the international stage and fosters alliances
- explains Olga Wysocka, director of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.
regeneration that strengthens
"We are the Weather," an installation by Alicja Patanowska
photo: Jakub Celej
One of the activities within the framework of the Presidency is a series of exhibitions presenting works of contemporary Polish art and design "Regeneration" in the buildings of the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament in Brussels (curated by Aleksandra Kędziorek, an art historian and co-author, among others, of the exhibition in the Polish Pavilion at this year's Venice Architecture Biennale) and at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Architect Katarzyna Baumiller is responsible for the arrangements.
© On&On Designs
A ceramic installation by Alicja Patanowska, a visual artist and designer, is on display in the atrium of the Justus Lipsius building, the headquarters of the EU Council in Brussels. The installation, highlighted in cobalt color, "We are the Weather," puts water at the center - the source of life, a resource that (especially in times of climate crisis) we must take special care of.
"Underneath the Hard Ground, Soft Ground," an installation by Alicja Biala
Photo: Jakub Celej
And in the forum of the Europa Building, the edifice where EU summits are held, there is an installation by multidisciplinary artist Alicja Biała. In her work "Underneath the Hard Ground, Soft Ground," the artist has placed mirrored forms on twelve brass panels: harmoniously intertwined outlines of human figures and plants, which in our part of Europe are known for their regenerative properties.
© On&On Designs
Polish design in Europe
In the spaces of both the Brussels and Strasbourg buildings you will also find carefully selected examples of Polish design, furniture, ceramics, textiles - including works by The Good Living&Co, Totem Studio, UAU Project, AS Ćmielów Manufaktura Porcelany, the SPLOT team (Edgar Bąk, Dominika Krogulska-Czekalska, Zofia Strumiłło-Sukiennik), Pani Jurek or Malwina Konopacka. How did these diverse works by Polish male and female artists fit into the usually cool office spaces?
Exhibition in the premises of the European Parliament in Strasbourg
Photo: Marek Swoboda
My task was to transform the uniform, impersonal office spaces - devoid of features - into a kind of canvas, providing a backdrop for aesthetic interventions. Regeneration manifests itself here in many dimensions: in the selection of fresh, muted colors designed to evoke a sense of well-being; in the jacquard tapestries that improve acoustics and make the interiors soft; in the recycled materials that have been transformed from waste into innovative, beautiful objects and furniture designed by talented Polish artists. The space is complemented by works by Polish artists - selected to showcase the rapidly growing contemporary design and craft scene. At the same time, also present here is a nod to the past - a tribute to the idea of regeneration and rebirth - in the form of a presentation of iconic Polish porcelain figurines from the 1960s, which are now back in production to enjoy and inspire future generations. Each of these design decisions was intended to emphasize the importance of comfort and the quality of space based on the values of harmony, delicacy and imagination. I believe that it is these values that carry the true power of regeneration
- explains the architect of the exhibitions, Katarzyna Baumiller.
The exhibition in the lobby of the Justus Lipsius building and the Europa building
Photo: Marek Swoboda
Ola Kloc
Illustrations courtesy of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute
