Between May 1st and 5th plac Litewski (Litewski Square) will be filled with outdoor symphonic concerts, singing, parades, theatre and dance performances under \u015awi\u0119to Dw\u00f3ch Unii (The Celebration of Two Unions). Maj\u00f3wka na Litewskim is a focal point of numerous events thanks to which Lublin\u2019s residents or tourists visiting the city will celebrate the 15th anniversary of Poland\u2019s entry to the European Union.
\nOn May 1st, 2004, Poland entered to the European Union, setting the starting point for changes which could not be undertaken so quickly without our participation in the community. In the report by Statistics Poland (G\u0142\u00f3wny Urz\u0105d Statystyczny) from the beginning of 2009, Lublin was at the forefront of Polish communes regarding the implementation of EU-funded projects, and was ranked at the 5th place in the evaluation with the amount of 4 billions zlotys.
\nThe ceremony will start on May 1st at the City Hall at high noon by singing along \u201cOde to Joy\u201d \u2013 the anthem of the EU. The slogan of this year\u2019s May weekend in Lublin is \u201c\u015awi\u0119to Dw\u00f3ch Unii\u201d (The Celebration of Two Unions) reminding about the role of our city in creating the identity of EU. The Union of Lublin, which was formed 450 years ago, is a crucial part of Europe\u2019s history, which is proved by the European Heritage Label granted to our city.
\nOn May 1st, after singing \u201cOde to Joy\u201d, every Lublin\u2019s resident will have the opportunity to strike the Bell of Europe \u2013 the symbol of Poland\u2019s entry to the EU. The bell was cast in the most famous bell foundry of the Felczy\u0144ski family. For the last years it has been stored in the Dominican Monastery at Z\u0142ota Street. Now, after the maintenance, the bell will be placed in front of the Union of Lublin monument on a special scaffolding where everyone can strike the bell and sign the memorial book. The bell will be set from the pedestrian area.
\nAmusements for kids were planned for the 5 days of the May weekend at plac Litewski in front of the Faculty of Political Science UMCS \u2013 there will take place Festiwal Dzieci \u2013 Piknik Europejski (Children Festival \u2013 European Picnic) organised by the Centre for Culture and Department of European Funds of the City of Lublin. Plays and games for children are also planned. Among the attractions are animations, prize quizzes, knowledge contests about the EU, large board games, glass painting, screen printing on eco bags workshops, and mini playground for the youngests.
\nThe final event on May 1st will be the outdoor symphonic concert \u201cLublin for Europe\u201d performed by the Choir of Music and Theatre Academy in Vilnius, Chamber Choir of Lublin Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestra of Henryk Wieniawski Philharmonic led by Wojciech Rodek. The artists will perform compositions by: Henryk Wieniawski, Stanis\u0142aw Moniuszko, Karol Lipi\u0144ski, Juozas Pakalnis and Ludwig van Beethoven. During the whole weekend at Litewski Square and also at the Centre for Culture\u2019s patio, which is only 100 m away from the Square, everyone will be able to take part in open theatre performances prepared for children, teenagers and adults.
\nOn May 2nd, on the Polish National Flag Day, after the official celebration, Litewski Square will become the stage of Matejko Photo Challenge conducted under Sezon Lublin (The Lublin Season). Every person will have the opportunity to impersonate into one of the characters from Jan Matejko\u2019s picture and to play a short role on the stage. The whole event will be animated by Po\u0142awiacze Pere\u0142 Improv Teatr.
\nOn May 3rd, after the official celebration, there will take place the Polonaise for Lublin which will waltz from the City Hall to Litewski Square where Wanda Kaniorowa Folk Song & Dance Ensemble \u201cLublin\u201d and Stanis\u0142aw Leszczy\u0144ski Folk Dance Group at UMCS will perform. Then, the Military Orchestra of Lublin will play patriotic songs.
\nThat evening the inauguration of multimedia fountain show will take place. This year, due to the 450th anniversary of the Union of Lublin, an extraordinary show “Unia Narod\u00f3w” (The Union of Nations) was prepared, which illustrates the rich heritage of the Polish-Lithuanian Union. The performance will precede the special May Jazz concert by jazz quartet playing the music of Europe. For the club music lovers some DJ sets are waiting in the Centre for Culture\u2019s patio.
\nOn May 4th, on the stage will appear Teatr Seniora – Kabaret Starszych Pa\u0144 i Pan\u00f3w with its musical performance using songs by Jeremi Przybora and music by Jerzy Wasowski, and Po\u0142awiacze Pere\u0142 Imrov Teatr which is going to stage a “Te Deum Laudamus!” performance in the Dominican Monastery at the big patio.
\nOn May 5th, we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Stanis\u0142aw Moniuszko birthday. The program of events at Litewski Square includes numerous attractions for various age groups, for example: dance performance by children dance crews, concert of the most breathtaking Stanis\u0142aw Moniuszko\u2019s arias and songs, and the screening of “The Haunted Manor” opera by Teatr Wielki of the National Opera.<\/p>\n