The massive gathering will be held for the 16th time by the local chapter of Catholic charity Caritas Polska.
As in previous years, the event at the Poznań International Fair grounds will include the singing of Christmas carols and the sharing of opłatek, the traditional Christmas wafer, according to media reports.
Christmas wafer. Photo: PAP/Paweł Jaskółka
Those in attendance can also expect to receive small gifts from the organisers.
Poznań Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki has said that underprivileged people struggling with life’s problems often “have the privilege of being closer to the Savior” than "those with many possessions.”
“Poverty makes man more open to God,” Gądecki added.
Poznań Mayor Jacek Jaśkowiak has said that the Christmas Eve party held annually in his city is the largest gathering of its kind nationwide.
Every year, many local restaurateurs and about 1,000 volunteers help make the huge charity event possible, according to Caritas Polska.
Nearly 400 kilogrammes of carp, 350 kg of sauerkraut with mushrooms, 420 kg of potatoes, and 600 litres of borscht will be used to prepare meals for people in need this year, the local newspaper Głos Wielkopolski reported.
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Source: TVP, gloswielkopolski.pl, caritaspoznan.pl, wzp.org.pl