Radio ORLA fm is proud to be media patron of the first-ever Southend Polish Arts Festival, which takes place in September. The Essex seaside resort, which boasts the longest civilian pier in the UK and nearly 2 km, is twinned with Polish seaside resort Sopot.

11-13 Sept (venues in Southend-on-Sea)

With just over a month to go until the first Polish Arts Festival in Southend-on-Sea, it’s time to go online and check out the programme.

www.polishartsfestival.co.uk

Choirs, football workshops, stilt-walkers, contemporary and traditional dancers, filmmakers, musicians, artists and artisans, the Polish Arts Festival is all about savouring the very best of Polish Arts and culture – obviously that includes Polish potato cakes, cheesecakes, dumplings, and beers.

However, the Festival is also all about creating new and inspiring international collaborations...

While New York Artist Erik Blinderman explores the historical relationship between the Solidarity movement and the Thames Gateway (specifically Southend printers) in his new show Sounds of the Sea and Shops (Focal Point Gallery), Theatre/Film director and producer Iranian exile Mehrdad Seyf (30 Bird Productions), is using multiple art forms (and football) to depict the unique relationship between Iran and Poland following the mass forced exodus of Polish prisoners of war from Siberia to Tehran in 1941. 

Check out www.polishartsfestival.co.uk to find out more about these fascinating and unlikely journeys as the Polish Arts Festival embarks on its first journey this September.

And one other thing - anyone who thinks football and art don’t mix is in for a big surprise!