Kindness Day at Poland Pavilion – Poland celebrates end of EU Council Presidency at Expo 2025 in Osaka
The largest concert venue at Expo 2025 in Osaka – the Matsuri Arena – was filled with a crowd of several thousand people, who gave the performers a standing ovation and long-lasting applause! The enthusiastic reactions of smiling Japanese audience members, who thanked for the magical performance as they left the concert, are moments that have become part of the history of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
Poland at Expo 2025 in Osaka – the grand finale of the presidency with Symbiosis Symphony
Poland Pavilion brought Poland’s six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union to a spectacular close by organizing the Day of Kindness at Expo 2025 in Osaka. The highlight of the celebration was a phenomenal concert conducted by Łukasz L.U.C. Rostkowski, who blended classical music, electronic sounds, and folk traditions—transforming the Matsuri stage into a vivid, multimedia journey through the history of Europe.
World premiere of Symbiosis Symphony – Poland inspires at Expo
The world premiere of the extraordinary artistic project Symbiosis Symphony, part of the official cultural program of Poland Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, was specially prepared to mark Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The concept and direction of this futuristic symphonic poem were created by award-winning composer and producer Łukasz L.U.C. Rostkowski. The stage featured performances by Rebel Babel Orchestra, Amabile Philharmonic Orchestra, and Catz’n Dogz, while the visual design was crafted by the legendary Breakthru Films studio, delivering breathtaking imagery that transformed the stage into a true painterly canvas.
From ancient rhythms of drums and flutes, through medieval chants of Hildegard of Bingen, baroque masterpieces by Bach and Vivaldi, all the way to the pulsing techno beats of Berlin – Symbiosis Symphony showcased the beauty of Europe’s diversity in a modern, moving, and visionary way.
Conference on the welfare of children and young people – a strong voice from Poland
The events surrounding the concert focused on the topics of children and youth mental health, social solidarity and European culture. The key messages resounded during a conference with the participation of national and international experts in the field of the well-being of the youngest.
The conference was opened by Magdalena Skarżyńska, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), who, in a moving speech, drew attention to the alarming issue of teenage suicide.
‘We need to stop placing the blame on others and take a hard look at ourselves — the adults — because it is we who are failing in many areas: at home, in healthcare, and in schools. Caught up in the race for careers, money, and meeting our bosses’ expectations, we fail to notice how much of our children’s lives is slipping away from us. How many warning signs we miss — or choose to ignore. We must start listening, seeing, and responding’, emphasized Magdalena Skarżyńska.
The experts discussed, among other topics: children’s mental well-being, emotional education inspired by the ideas of Janusz Korczak, innovative parenting methods based on “nature’s algorithms,” the role of design in creating supportive therapeutic environments, as well as the phenomenon of burnout among healthcare professionals.
Jurek Owsiak at Expo 2025 – solidarity, empathy and social power
The special guest of the conference was Jerzy Owsiak, founder and president of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. In his signature style, he spoke about the importance of social solidarity:
‘In 33 years of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, we have purchased 78,500 medical devices, spending nearly 700 million dollars. This has allowed us to equip hundreds of hospitals and medical facilities across Poland. This was only possible thanks to the kindness of others and the resourcefulness of the Polish people’, emphasized Owsiak.
Closing ceremony of Poland’s presidency – symbolism and youth energy
Immediately after the conference, a ceremonial closing of Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union took place in front of Poland Pavilion. The event began with a performance of the “Ode to Joy” by the National Forum of Music ensemble, and among the invited speakers was Dorota Niedziela, Deputy Marshal of the Polish parliament.
Next, the Japanese audience gathered around Poland Pavilion collectively recited the symbolic pledge “This is my piece of land,” known from the Poland Rock Festival. The climax of the event was a dance routine prepared by Polish students—members of the pavilion’s team—which conveyed a powerful message of joy, optimism, and community.
Wrocław dwarves at Expo – small symbols of great kindness
During the Lower Silesian Region Week, the famous Wrocław dwarves—symbols of the city’s creativity and kindness—visited Poland Pavilion. Among them, a special place was held by a dwarf named Życzliwek, holding a sunflower, which became the inspiration for the main theme of the Polish Day of the EU Presidency. Visitors could not only see the dwarf in person but also learn about the history of this unique social phenomenon, which has shaped Wrocław’s identity for years and inspired artistic initiatives throughout Poland.
Kindness Day – together for the common good
The special guests of the events held as part of Kindness Day at Poland Pavilion during Expo 2025 in Osaka were:
- Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity
- Czepczynski Family Foundation
- Medical University of Gdansk
- Marshal’s Office of the Lower Silesian Region
