The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, founded in 1993 by Jerzy Owsiak and others, is Poland's largest non-governmental, non-profit charity organization. It raises funds primarily for pediatric and elderly care.
The 33rd edition runs under the slogan "Gramy na zdrowie!" ("We play for health!")—raising funds for pediatric oncology and hematology.
WOŚP is not just a domestic phenomenon; its activities stretch across the globe. In Brussels, the grand finale started on Friday with the annual auction organized by the Polish employees of EU institutions. A dinner with the Polish ambassador to the EU, Agnieszka Bartol, was auctioned for 500 euros, and a tie from Commissioner Piotr Serafin and souvenirs from Opole from KO MEP Andrzej Buła were auctioned for 230 euros.
On Sunday at noon, the Cinquantenaire Park will host the "Deal with diabetes" race. The five-kilometer race will feature Olympic racewalking champion Robert Korzeniowski, Polish commissioner Piotr Serafin, Maltese commissioner responsible for sport Glenn Micallef, and employees of EU institutions. This year, the organizers have introduced a novelty - a 1.5-kilometer race for children aged 2-12.
The Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity will also be celebrated in Antwerp, Ghent, Leuven, and Roeselare.
The orchestra will also play in the Netherlands – auctions will take place at the Polish Library in Amsterdam. Concerts, workshops, and attractions for families are also planned there.
In Sweden, the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity will play in Stockholm and Malmoe, cities with large Polish populations.
The Orchestra's concerts will also take place in the capitals of both Iberian Peninsula countries, Spain and Portugal.
However, events related to WOŚP will also be held outside Europe, including in the United States and Japan.
(aj)
Source: IAR