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Int’l peace light reaches Polish presidential palace

12.12.2022 23:30
The Polish presidential couple have welcomed a special flame known as the Peace Light of Bethlehem, part of an international Christmas tradition.
President Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Warsaw on Monday.
President Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Warsaw on Monday.Photo: PAP/Piotr Nowak

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

During a ceremony, President Andrzej Duda said that the annual tradition was a symbol of "peace, hope and faith."

He added that this year, the Peace Light of Bethlehem acquired a special significance, with a war raging across Poland's eastern border.

"May this light bring peace to our Ukrainian neighbours and give them faith that the war will end and that they will be able to return to a happy, normal life," Duda said.

He added: "May this light burn bright, and may it give us warmth and strength. Let it shine over our fraternal nations. Let it bring peace and freedom."

In a tradition started by Austrian scouts in 1986, the flame is lit at the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem every year.

Polish scouts have been part of the tradition since 1991.

(gs)

Source: PAP, prezydent.pl