Polish History on the Big Screen: The Year of Wojciech Jerzy Has - Polish cinema lit up Alicante
This past weekend Alicante turned into a small capital of Polish cinema. The spacious halls of Kinépolis hosted an extraordinary event - “Polish History on the Big Screen: The Year of Wojciech Jerzy Has”, a project subsidized under the exercise of the Senate of the Republic of Poland's care for the Polish community and Poles abroad in 2025.
The event was organized by the Education and Future Foundation and the Polonia en España Association, with support from the Hispola Association. Media patronage was provided by the Polska Costa newspaper.
From the first moments one could feel the unique atmosphere - elegant, but full of cordiality. Guests were welcomed by the president of the Polonia en España Association, Tomasz Dauerman, and the symbolic opening of the review was made by Wanda Ziembicka-Has and Monika Krzepkowska, chargé d'affaires of the Polish Embassy in Spain.
The first day began with a panel “We Remember Has”, in which anecdotes and memories of the master were shared: Wanda Ziembicka-Has, Hanna Mikuć-Sobocińska, Gabriela Muskała and Zbigniew Zamachowski. The conversation was conducted in beautiful style by Katarzyna Wajda, who also accompanied the audience during the lectures preceding the film screenings.
The big screen featured Wojciech Jerzy Has' masterpieces Farewells, Manuscript Found in Saragossa, How to Be Loved and Uninteresting History. Each screening was preceded by an introduction - full of passion, knowledge and reflection, allowing to look at Has' work from a new perspective.
In between screenings, there were talks, shared photos and spontaneous discussions about Polish cinema. And the evening banquet was not only an opportunity to integrate the Polish community, but also to meet directly with the artists, who were eager to share their impressions.
Participants stressed that the whole event was prepared at the highest organizational level - with attention to every detail, from translations and presentations to excellent technical setting. The atmosphere of the event was warm, communal, and at the same time full of prestige.
“We felt cultured and very satisfied - as if for a moment Alicante really smelled of Poland.”
- concluded one of the participants.
After the screenings, president Tomasz Dauerman, rector of the John Paul II Biala Academy Prof. Jerzy Nitychoruk and project coordinator Iwona Zelisko thanked all participants, guests and partners for the time spent together and support for the initiative.
The culmination of the event was a Polonia meeting, during which participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences and talk with the guests who came - including Hanna Mikuć-Sobocińska, Gabriela Muskała, Zbigniew Zamachowski and Wanda Ziembicka-Has.
The evening passed in a friendly, almost family-like atmosphere with tapas and drinks, which fostered conversation and reminiscences about cinema, Poland and Has' work.
Watching together, talking and the presence of prominent artists made the weekend in Alicante a true celebration of Polish culture - full of emotions, nostalgia and pride.
As the organizers aptly put it:
“Polish history on the big screen is not just cinema - it is a bridge between the past and the present, between Poland and its diaspora. And Has, as always, was able to connect us in the world of imagination.”
