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FortY floors up in the Marriott Hotel, with spectacular views over Warsaw, Scots and Poles raised a toast to a new alliance. the date was May 25, 2010, and


IRENA ANDERS, Poland’s WWII armed forces sweetheart, celebrated her 90th birthday last month with a special reception at the Polish Embassy in London. Irena’s performances


for the Polish II Corps – led by General Władysław Anders, who later became Irena’s husband – are legendary in her homeland. Irena’s birthday also


happens to be the anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino, one of the most fiercely fought engagements of the war. Irena’s reception


included a tribute to the late General Anders and to all of the men who lost their lives in the battle. Also remembered were


victims of the Smoleńsk crash, in particular Ryszard Kaczorowski, right, Poland’s last President in Exile. He resigned his post


following Poland’s regaining independence from the Soviet sphere of influence and election of


Ambassador joins Irena’s


90th birthday celebrations


the occasion was the launch of a brand new association of friendship between our two countries. as the Scotland and Poland


association held their opening night, guests enjoyed an evening of fine Scottish dining prepared by Scottish company Buccleugh Foods – and a drop or two of whisky from Cutty Sark. Under the presidency of Paul


l Ryszard Kaczorowski


Lech Wałęsa as the first democratically-elected president of Poland since World War II. He also passed the presidential insignia to Wałęsa, thus ending the 45-years long episode of the Polish government in exile. One of Poland’s most


treasured actors, Ignacy Gogolewski, flew over to London for the reception and to wish Irena a happy birthday.


Gogolinski – an aberdeenshire man now based in the polish capital – the association aims to promote and develop the best in trade, cultural and heritage links between Scotland and Poland. its membership is expected


to be made up mainly of Scots living in Poland and Poles who have an interest in the links between our countries, but all interested parties will be welcomed. a dedicated website has


been set up at www.scotlandpoland.pl


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