On Wednesday, the 17th November, the Representation of the Wielkopolska Region in Brussels organised the first celebrations of St. Martin’s Day in Brussels. The event, inspired by the Name Day of Saint Martin Street, took as its goal the promotion of the long-standing tradition of supporting people in need and the promotion of a regional product, the St. Martin’s Croissant. This first edition of St. Martin’s Day celebrations in Brussels received the patronage of the European Year For Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010.
The event consisted of two parts. A morning thematic seminar entitled “Migrants and Cohesion” was organised in cooperation with a European umbrella organisation ECAS (European Citizens Action Services). Its main subject was migration inside the European Union, seen as one of the important challenges facing the current cohesion policy. The recent enlargements of the EU have caused a major increase in migration, which has had specific consequences, affecting both the countries which welcome immigrants and their countries of origin. The freedom of movement, which is one of the principal liberties of the EU, has a positive impact on the economic and social growth of the Union. On the other hand, migration also generates significant problems, among the results of which are also social exclusion and the poverty of those who did not manage to adapt to new conditions. The ‘Migrants and Cohesion’ seminar was intended to find the answer to the question on the way the cohesion policy can help solve problems connected with migration. The opening speech of the debate was given by professor Danuta Hübner, Chair of the Committee on Regional Development at the European Parliament, former EU Commissioner responsible for the implementation of the cohesion policy.
The discussion panel included experts and practitioners from Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Poland dealing with migration and social exclusion representing, among others, the European Commission, other European institutions, and NGOs. Wielkopolska was represented by Ewa Sadowska from the Barka UK Foundation, an organisation that has provided support to Polish immigrants for years.
In the evening, on the premises of the Wielkopolska Region in Brussels, an event promoting our regional tradition of St. Martin’s Day took place. The Wielkopolska Pastry Chef’s Guild was invited to help organise the occasion. The guests including Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the diplomatic corps and employees of the EU institutions and regional offices in Brussels were invited to taste St. Martin Croissants, baked at the event. The meeting featured a presentation of traditions connected to Saint Martin’s Day, as well as of other regional products and delicacies of the Wielkopolska cuisine.
Author: Wielkopolska Region Brussels Office
