Maryna Hiryn, who still met with the President of Poland, was outraged that he was given a rag doll
Co-chair of the Association of Belarusian Business Abroad and former employee of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties of Belarus published five photos with Karol Nawrocki on Facebook.
Maryna Hiryn with Karol Nawrocki. Photo: facebook.com/marina.girin
According to Maryna Hiryn, she was attending a similar meeting for the fourth time and did not feel that the number of participants this year was less than in previous years. Perhaps there were even more people this year.
At the same time, there were definitely more media representatives this year, especially from the «Belsat» TV channel.
Maryna Hiryn with Karol Nawrocki. Photo: facebook.com/marina.girin
About a quarter or a third of the participants, as Hiryn claims, were representatives of the political structures of democratic forces — Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council, and the National Anti-Crisis Management. She specifically notes that Pavel Latushka, just like last year, was present at the event with his daughter Yana.
Furthermore: «The meeting was attended by a certain number of participants who came to Poland from other countries and are not actually part of the Belarusian diaspora in Poland, but belong to representatives of political structures.»
Maryna Hiryn with Karol Nawrocki. Photo: facebook.com/marina.girin
At the same time, Hiryn did not notice a large number of former political prisoners at the reception. «It was about several well-known public figures, but perhaps there were people present whom I personally do not know,» she notes.
No less than half of her post, Maryna Hiryn dedicated to criticizing the gift that was presented to Karol Nawrocki during the event on behalf of the Belarusian diaspora in Poland.
«It was a creative Christmas act followed by the presentation of a small rag doll to the President of Poland with approximate words that such a tradition exists with us and that the doll is given as a charm against all evil.
Maryna Hiryn with Karol Nawrocki. Photo: facebook.com/marina.girin
Personally, such a gift, like a «doll», caused me internal discomfort. In the Catholic context of Poland, in the presence of a priest who stood next to the President and officially attended the event on behalf of the Polish side, a gift emphasizing pagan symbolism and attributed «protective power» to the object looks inappropriate.
Cultural caroling as folklore is one thing. However, presenting an amulet doll with a magical meaning goes beyond a neutral cultural gesture and contradicts the Catholic worldview, in which protection and blessings come not from objects, but from God.
I consider it important to be careful with symbols, especially in an official and intercultural context. Respect for the host country, its traditions, and religious background is the foundation of trust and mutual understanding, that very trust we talk so much about,» writes Hiryn.
Maryna Hiryn with Karol Nawrocki. Photo: facebook.com/marina.girin
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