A happy celebration of Polish culture is set to return to Derbyshire as Pol-Fest prepares for its third annual edition in Chesterfield. The event will take place on Saturday at the Chesterfield Panthers Rugby Union Football Club and promises a lively afternoon of cultural exchange, traditional cuisine, music, and community spirit.

Organisers from Polonia Chesterfield, the group behind Pol-Fest, have expressed excitement at how the festival has evolved. Vice-chair Anna Kuc said the initiative began as a small-scale attempt to bring together the Polish community in and around Chesterfield but has since blossomed into a regional attraction.

In 2024, over 700 people took part in the festivities, and this year the organisers hope to draw even larger crowds. The festival has welcomed attendees from cities such as Sheffield and Manchester, and even from Poland, showing its growing appeal beyond local borders.

„What started as a simple idea to unite Polish residents has turned into an opportunity to share our traditions, history, and food with a much broader audience,” Ms Kuc explained. “It’s not just for the Polish community anymore. We’ve welcomed British locals, Ukrainians, and many others. It’s become a real platform for cultural integration.”

Running from 12:00 to 16:00 BST, the event is free and open to all. Visitors can enjoy Polish delicacies, live performances, cultural demonstrations, and stalls showcasing authentic Polish products.

Ms Kuc emphasised the broader purpose of the event: “It’s a celebration of our roots, yes, but more importantly, it’s about building bridges with the wider community and promoting understanding through culture.”

With growing momentum and increasing visibility, Pol-Fest is quickly becoming a cherished date in Chesterfield’s cultural calendar.

Source: BBC

Photo: Facebook Polonia Chesterfield

Tomasz Modrzejewski