Following a longstanding tradition, the First Lady of Poland, Mrs Marta Nawrocka hosted the Lady Ambassadors and the spouses of the Heads of Diplomatic Missions accredited to Poland at a pre-Christmas reception. The aim of these annual meetings is to strengthen international relations in an informal, friendly atmosphere, promote intercultural dialogue, and provide an opportunity to learn about the traditions and experiences of various nations represented in Poland. The meeting also touched on the important role that the diplomatic community plays in fostering charitable initiatives, such as the SHOM International Charity Bazaar, which took place a few days earlier under the honorary patronage of the First Lady.

During her welcome speech, the First Lady said: “This is both a diplomatic event and an opportunity to highlight the bonds of trust, respect, and cooperation that bind Poland with the countries you represent. These are also bonds of interpersonal sympathy, which we are building personally. I want to sincerely thank you for the great generosity, kindness, and commitment you offer Poland in carrying out your mission here.”

In turn, Mrs Eva Lorijn, President of the Association of Spouses of Heads of Mission (SHOM) and wife of the Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta, took the floor to thank the audience and the First Lady for their personal involvement. “By supporting these initiatives, we are reminded that true charity comes from the heart. Helping others is not just about giving; it is about empathy, recognizing dignity, and sharing one’s struggles with compassion,” she said.

For over 18 years, SHOM has played an active and important role in the lives of spouses of Heads of Diplomatic Missions accredited and living in Poland. Its goal is to help members better understand Poland, its culture, art, and traditions, as well as to share the culture of their countries of origin.