Several hundred members of Dublin's Polish community gathered in the Temple Bar Music Centre yesterday for an afternoon of music and family fun.
The Wielka Orkiestra Swiatecznej Pomocy, The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity - represented by its Irish chapter - laid on "a multicultural gig" including alternative jazz, reggae and hip hop. Following a "tradition" established last year, the event also featured displays of Polish culture including art and photography, Brazilian samba, Polish cuisine and Irish Guinness.
Wielka Orkiestra Swiatecznej Pomocy has been organising Christmas-time gigs in Poland since 1993 and while events are free, participants may make a donation to children's charities.
This year the money raised is going to children who have been injured in vehicle crashes. Between 1993 and 2006 the charity has collected and spent more then €60 million on medical equipment for Polish public hospitals, research and education.
While the charitable role is important, Irish chapter representative Annamaria Wisniewska said the day was intended to bring a lot of fun to children who attended.
Julius Szydlowsk told The Irish Timesthe event was also an opportunity for Poles and their friends to share cultural influences. The event was also supported by a number of Irish/Polish commercial bodies and organisations offering immigrant advice.
