Northern Ireland Assembly celebrates Polish community at Parliament Buildings

Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots MLA meeting with members of the Polish Bikers group at Parliament Buildings as part of the Polish Heritage Day celebrations.

Parliament Buildings at Stormont became a vibrant celebration of culture and community on Saturday, 31 May 2025, as Speaker Edwin Poots MLA welcomed members of the Polish community to a special event honouring their growing influence and contribution to life in Northern Ireland.

Organised to recognise the strength and diversity of the Polish community, the event brought together elected representatives, diplomats, community leaders and young people for a day of discussion, music and learning.

Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots MLA presented with a ‘biker’s t-shirt’ as part of the Polish Heritage Day celebrations at Parliament Buildings

In his opening remarks, Mr Poots said:

“Today’s event underscored the significant contributions Polish individuals and families make to the daily social, cultural, and economic life of Northern Ireland.

“With over 25,000 Polish people now living in Northern Ireland, the Polish community is the largest ethnic minority group in the country, and Polish is now the second most-spoken language after English.

“It is extremely important that the Assembly is open to every part of the community it serves and today was a great opportunity to open our doors to the Polish community.”

The Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Belfast, Mirosław Sycz, also addressed the gathering, reinforcing the importance of continued collaboration between communities and political institutions.

Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots MLA with Polish Folk Group ‘Made in Poland’ at Parliament Buildings as part of the Polish Heritage Day celebrations.

A focal point of the event was a cross-party panel discussion featuring MLAs John Blair, Peter Martin, Ciara Ferguson and Patsy McGlone, alongside community leaders Maciek Bator and Ola Sobieraj.

Discussions explored how to increase awareness of the Polish community’s contributions and how best to support their engagement with political and civic life.

Youth engagement was highlighted by Nadia Mackiewicz of the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly, who reflected on her own heritage and emphasised the importance of representation:

“As someone with Polish heritage, it’s inspiring to see our community represented and valued in this way. It’s important for young people like me to see ourselves reflected in public life.”

The celebration was the latest initiative of the Friends of Poland cross-party group, launched in 2024 to build stronger links between the Assembly and the Polish community in Northern Ireland. The group’s work aims to foster greater inclusion, understanding and connection with the region’s largest ethnic minority.

Throughout the day, guests were treated to a performance by the Polish Folk Band Made in Poland, while guided tours of the Parliament Buildings—complete with translators—ensured accessibility for all attendees.

Children from the local Polish Saturday school took part in interactive sessions designed to teach them about the workings of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The event demonstrated the Assembly’s continued commitment to inclusivity and civic engagement, offering an opportunity for dialogue and cultural appreciation between elected officials and one of Northern Ireland’s most vibrant communities.