The Congress of Polish Culture has opened in the southern city of Krakow. with the participation of Poland’s most prominent writers, composers, film and theatre directors, art curators and politicians. 

 
Click on the audio icon to listen to the report by Danuta Isler

 
The 6th edition of the event is an attempt to review the achievements of Polish culture of the last twenty years. Several reports are to be presented and symposia devoted to particular fields of culture are to take place during the next three days. Opening the event the minister of culture Bogdan Zdrojewski expressed hope that it will develop a new set of priorities for Polish culture. He also stressed the continuing need for developing a long-term and deliberate strategy of financing culture in Poland. 

Five Congresses of Polish Culture have been held so far. Each took place in historical circumstances special to this country. The second one held in Lviv in May of 1936 was the "Anti-Fascist" Congress while the 4th called "Solidarity" taking place in December of 1981 was disrupted by the imposition of the martial law and was continued nineteen years later. The 6th edition marks the 20th anniversary of the political, social, and economic changes in Poland and its culture.