2012.09.25
Exhibition opening of „Colours of Orthodoxy. Poland” in European Parliament
Natalia Klimiuk
The first place outside Poland, where you can see the orthphoto exhibition „Colours of Orthodoxy. Poland”, is Brussels. The initiative was put forward by MP Michał Kamiński.
The coordinator of Orthphoto, Mr Aleksander Wasyluk, was unable to tell which exhibition opening it was already. The exhibition’s popularity was so great that in a short period of time (after the vernissage in October 2011) the exhibition had to be copied to tour the world. From then on the exhibition has been touring Poland, being presented in small settlements and big towns and cities throughout Poland. For the exhibition in European Parliament yet another copy of the exhibition had been made. The pictures that were previously showed separately were grouped according to their main topic. This exhibition will also answer questions about the essence of Orthodoxy – the sacraments, the believers and role of children in church. You can also learn about issues concerning Orthodoxy in Poland like the monasteries or church architectures typical for Polish Orthodoxy. All the information is given in English. Each board contains one main picture and three additional ones to help grasp the idea. Altogether around 100 pictures are presented. However, the resources available at orthphoto are much bigger. Therefore, more pictures were presented during the exhibition as a slideshow. At the end of the exhibition a premiere presentation of a photocast took place. The photocast had been created by Orthphoto and Oikonomos. It is a mixture of pictures, video files and church chants connected with the exhibition all compiled on one CD.
During exhibition opening on 18th of September MP Kamiński gave a short speech. He turned out to be an enthusiast of Orthodoxy. Mr Kamiński highlighted the fact that Orthodox is the second largest religious group in Poland. Moreover, for centuries it has been shaping Polish community. Orthodox people bring to Poland ideas that are important for whole Europe: Christian values. The MP also reminded about an important event that took place in August 2013 – the signing of a document expressing a common appeal of Polish Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church in Poland.
The exhibition is organized under the honorary patronage of president of Poland, Mr Bronislaw Komorowski. Mr Aleksander Sosna, the president’s advisor, read a letter from Mr Komorowski. In the letter the role of an exhibition in promoting Poland was highlighted. The exhibition presents Poland as a country of tolerance. The president also mentioned how Orthphoto brings Orthodox community together as it is created by volunteers who work together to show the beauty of Orthodoxy to the world.
Then, the president of European Parliament, Mr Jerzy Buzek mentioned that the solution to present-day economic problems in Europe is in fostering Christian values.
Archbishop Abel of Lublin and Chelm (as a representative of Polish Orthodox Church) presented MP Michał Kamiński with a second degree medal of St Mary Magdalene.
Finally, there was a performance of a choir from Orthodox cathedral of Lublin-Chelm Diocese conducted by Andrzej Boublej. The choir sang religious songs from various services like vespers or the liturgy as well as hymns, for example hymn to SS Kiryl and Methodius.
The event attracted a lot of people, mainly employees of the European Parliament, but also ambassadors from Orthodox countries and representatives of local churches. The Greek Orthodox Church was represented by Metropolitan Achai Atanasios. There were also clergymen from Russian, Georgian and Romanian parishes in Brussels.
The exhibition is housed in Jehudi Menuhin room, which is one of the most prestigious spots in the parliament building. It is available until 21st of September 2013. The exhibition was organized thanks to financial support of Marshal’s Office of Podlasie Province.
fot. U. Wasyluk i J. Horbowiec
The coordinator of Orthphoto, Mr Aleksander Wasyluk, was unable to tell which exhibition opening it was already. The exhibition’s popularity was so great that in a short period of time (after the vernissage in October 2011) the exhibition had to be copied to tour the world. From then on the exhibition has been touring Poland, being presented in small settlements and big towns and cities throughout Poland. For the exhibition in European Parliament yet another copy of the exhibition had been made. The pictures that were previously showed separately were grouped according to their main topic. This exhibition will also answer questions about the essence of Orthodoxy – the sacraments, the believers and role of children in church. You can also learn about issues concerning Orthodoxy in Poland like the monasteries or church architectures typical for Polish Orthodoxy. All the information is given in English. Each board contains one main picture and three additional ones to help grasp the idea. Altogether around 100 pictures are presented. However, the resources available at orthphoto are much bigger. Therefore, more pictures were presented during the exhibition as a slideshow. At the end of the exhibition a premiere presentation of a photocast took place. The photocast had been created by Orthphoto and Oikonomos. It is a mixture of pictures, video files and church chants connected with the exhibition all compiled on one CD.
During exhibition opening on 18th of September MP Kamiński gave a short speech. He turned out to be an enthusiast of Orthodoxy. Mr Kamiński highlighted the fact that Orthodox is the second largest religious group in Poland. Moreover, for centuries it has been shaping Polish community. Orthodox people bring to Poland ideas that are important for whole Europe: Christian values. The MP also reminded about an important event that took place in August 2013 – the signing of a document expressing a common appeal of Polish Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church in Poland.
The exhibition is organized under the honorary patronage of president of Poland, Mr Bronislaw Komorowski. Mr Aleksander Sosna, the president’s advisor, read a letter from Mr Komorowski. In the letter the role of an exhibition in promoting Poland was highlighted. The exhibition presents Poland as a country of tolerance. The president also mentioned how Orthphoto brings Orthodox community together as it is created by volunteers who work together to show the beauty of Orthodoxy to the world.
Then, the president of European Parliament, Mr Jerzy Buzek mentioned that the solution to present-day economic problems in Europe is in fostering Christian values.
Archbishop Abel of Lublin and Chelm (as a representative of Polish Orthodox Church) presented MP Michał Kamiński with a second degree medal of St Mary Magdalene.
Finally, there was a performance of a choir from Orthodox cathedral of Lublin-Chelm Diocese conducted by Andrzej Boublej. The choir sang religious songs from various services like vespers or the liturgy as well as hymns, for example hymn to SS Kiryl and Methodius.
The event attracted a lot of people, mainly employees of the European Parliament, but also ambassadors from Orthodox countries and representatives of local churches. The Greek Orthodox Church was represented by Metropolitan Achai Atanasios. There were also clergymen from Russian, Georgian and Romanian parishes in Brussels.
The exhibition is housed in Jehudi Menuhin room, which is one of the most prestigious spots in the parliament building. It is available until 21st of September 2013. The exhibition was organized thanks to financial support of Marshal’s Office of Podlasie Province.
fot. U. Wasyluk i J. Horbowiec
Natalia Klimiuk
