11 November is Poland's national day.

The library in Hafnarfjörður was packed at the weekend as Poles and friends of Poles in Hafnarfjörður and further afield celebrated Poland's National Day. A large proportion of the Icelandic population, around 25,000 people, have roots in Poland, and the largest group of foreign nationals living in Hafnarfjörður are from Poland. The Polish community in Hafnarfjörður is strong and its ties with, for example, the Hafnarfjörður Public Library are great, which is best reflected in the selection of books, events, collaborations and get-togethers held in Polish.

A large number of guests attended the national day celebration.

The 11th of November is an important and major national holiday in Poland. On this day, Poles celebrate the establishment of a free Poland, which regained its independence after 124 years of occupation by other nations. To mark the occasion, a national celebration was held at the Hafnarfjörður Library, attended by over 300 guests, where they were introduced to the day, its origins and its history. The emigration of Poles to, e.g. Hafnarfjörður has largely been connected with work, and many came to the country with the intention of a temporary stay and employment but have stayed on and many have settled in Iceland permanently. Furthermore, a third generation of Poles is now growing up in Iceland, both bilingual children and adults alike.

A large number of guests attended the national day party at Hafnarfjörður Library.

The short film – I am Polish

At the national day celebration, coffee and pastries were served, songs were sung and poems recited, and a children's choir from PERSONA – a Polish-speaking nursery – also performed. The film was also shown. „I am Polish“, a short film in which the young Vanessa talks about her life and the society around her.. Vanessa is one of the many Polish-speaking children who live in Iceland, and know it as their only home – but sometimes her heart seeks elsewhere, especially when she looks into her mother's eyes. The Polish Library in Hafnarfjörður is credited with the video, in which the Polish librarian and employee of Hafnarfjörður municipality, Kasia Chojnowska, played a major and important role.

It is important to hold on to traditions and happy moments connected to home.

Poles in Hafnarfjörður are an important part of the local community, and the municipality of Hafnarfjörður has placed great emphasis on assisting Poles, like other nationalities, to get to know the community, encourage active participation by organising events in Polish and by creating a platform which, among other things, Poles can use to meet, socialise and create their own events and entertainment, which can include things related to their homeland and Polish traditions.

Thank you The Kassabókasafnið in Ólafsvík, The Polish Nursery School and Hafnarfjörður Library for the loan of images and video clips.