1000 art projects in the country and 400 events abroad contributed to the Cultural Programme of the EU 2011 Polish Presidency. Details of the Programme were presented and summarised January 2, 2012 at the press conference in Warsaw’s “Kultura” cinema. Its participants were the Minister of Culture and National Heritage Bogdan Zdrojewski, the National Audiovisual Institute director Michael Merczyński and the Adam Mickiewicz Institute director Paul Potoroczyn.

"Artistic events that took place in Poland and abroad, during the Polish Presidency of the EU Council are an investment for years" - said Minister of Culture and National Heritage Bogdan Zdrojewski.

He emphasized that many projects will continue. Moreover, the head of the Ministry of Culture claimed that the success of the Polish Presidency were also legislative proposals. Among the most important Mr. Zdrojewski named EU Council conclusions on child protection in the digital world, the work on the directive on orphan works, completion of the sign “European Heritage Label” and the conclusion on the cultural and creative powers.

From July 1 to December 31, 2011, for the first time Poland chaired the work of the Council of the European Union. Apart from strictly political dimension, the Presidency created a great opportunity of building the image of Poland. The Polish Presidency constituted also a unique opportunity of presenting contemporary Poland to the world. According to the decision of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage Bogdan Zdrojewski for the national Cultural Polish Programme of the Presidency the National Audiovisual Institute was responsible and for the foreign Cultural Programme of Polish Presidency the Adam Mickiewicz Institute was in charge. 

Source: mkidn.gov.pl