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International peace light reaches Polish presidential palace

18.12.2024 21:30
The Polish presidential couple have welcomed the Peace Light of Bethlehem, a symbolic flame that is part of an international Christmas tradition.
President Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda during the Peace Light ceremony at the presidential palace in Warsaw on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
President Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda during the Peace Light ceremony at the presidential palace in Warsaw on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.Photo: PAP/Albert Zawada

The light was brought to the presidential palace in Warsaw on Tuesday by a group of Polish scouts who earlier received it from their Austrian counterparts.

During the ceremony, President Andrzej Duda said that the annual tradition "embodies holiday cheer and warmth, both in the metaphysical and spiritual sense."

He described the Peace Light of Bethlehem as "a symbol of brotherhood, warmth and the true essence of Christmas."

The tradition of sharing the Peace Light began in 1986. Since 1987, Austrian scouts have led the campaign, bringing the flame from the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem to their country every year.

It is typically distributed during an ecumenical ceremony in Vienna, where representatives of various European scout organizations gather to receive it.

This year, however, due to the conflict in the Holy Land, the Peace Light of Bethlehem was shared at the Pilgrimage Church of Christkindl in Upper Austria, a partner city of Bethlehem, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

The flame brought from Bethlehem has been burning there since last year.

Polish scouts have been part of the tradition since 1991.

(gs)

Source: PAPprezydent.pl