Kasia among the Polish Persons of the Year 2023  

The Polish Section of the Library gets a rose in its buttonhole 

„People are so happy with the service, to be able to hold on to their own culture while at the same time getting to know Icelandic,“ says Katarzyna Chojnowska, Kasia, has worked at the Hafnarfjörður Library for three years. She has significantly enhanced the library's Polish section, its book collection and its cultural activities.  

„We do a lot here at the library to honour Polish culture,“ says Kasia. which was received in the autumn months international recognition for her work at the museum. She came second in the Polish Person of the Year competition., Personality of the Polish Community of the Year  There are memorial awards in memory of Edyta Felsztyńska, who died of cancer in 2017.  

Sigrún Guðnadóttir, the director of the library, and Katarzyna Chojnowska, Kasia, who received international recognition for her work at the library before the turn of the year.

Kasia is the first in Iceland to receive the accreditation. 

Kasia is the first person in the country to receive the award. She was among ten Poles from outside their homeland who received this recognition for promoting Polish culture in a remarkable way.  Kasia stresses that she doesn't do things alone. „I work here with wonderful staff who have supported and encouraged me,“ she says. Sigrún Guðnadóttir, the head of the library, is extremely proud of Kasia and the recognition.  

„We were incredibly lucky when we got Kasia.“ She is extremely well connected within the Polish community: the embassy, the Polish school and the Catholic Church. „We have benefited from it.“ The Polish work has grown with Kasia. 

Few opportunities to connect 

Kasia organises various events that introduce Polish culture. „We invite everyone who is interested here, giving them the opportunity to showcase themselves and share our story. We encourage them and tell them not to be afraid but to start speaking and practising their Icelandic, to get to know people, the library and Iceland.“ 

The selection of Polish books at Hafnarfjörður Library is excellent and among the best in the country. There are numerous cultural events. Now, on the 23rd of March, one of the most popular events will take place. Easter eggs will be decorated at the library, an annual event that has been a great success. Hard-boiled eggs are then painted in all the colours of the rainbow, in the Polish tradition. 

„It's great fun and every year more and more people come,“ says Kasia. „We're even thinking of doing it in two groups this year.“ People from all countries take part. „Yes, Icelanders love it too and I often see the same faces year after year. It's so great. We all sit together and start talking.“  

She describes how the egg painting breaks the ice. „We are afraid when we don't know each other well enough. But when we start talking, we break down barriers. Poles know that it's good to learn, to be open, to learn about other people's cultures, but also to show that we also have fun traditions.“ 

A way to be part of the community 

Kasia says the library also upholds classic, older traditions. „Yes, the Polish work here at the library helps us to understand the community, but also helps the community to understand us. It's about being part of the community, not separating yourself and living apart.“ 

Kasia is an educator, a theologian and has a diploma in library science. She has lived in Iceland for sixteen years. She followed her husband. Here they have had two daughters. „All the best things have happened here,“ she says. 

A huge congratulations to Kasia, and to the Hafnarfjörður Library! 

Upcoming events: 

Krysztof J. Szymanski – Opening 

Painting Easter eggs! Joint Easter egg painting! 

 Other

• See Coverage in Polish About the library  

• See interview for Polish television 

• Video from Polish Museum Day