20 years of the IPA in Mazovia
On September 15, 2012 in Płock the twentieth anniversary of the IPA in Mazovian province was celebrated. It was in Płock where on 4th December 1992 the first founding meeting of the IPA Mazovian Provincial Group was held. On 27th February 1993, the Polish Section National Executive Commission approved the formation of the Mazovian Provincial Group.
Twenty-year achievements of the IPA in Mazovia were commemorated with a beautifully issued bulletin (including English version recorded on a compact disk).
The Płock ceremony was attended by guests from the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia and Slovakia with IPA Slovak Section president - Peter Suchy.
The 20th anniversary celebration began in front of the Town Hall with a speech of the Lord Mayor of Płock - Andrzej Nowakowski. He warmly welcomed the foreign guests, members of the IPA, and its supporters. After playing the IPA anthem by the Metropolitan Police Orchestra the participants walked with flags to the sound of march, escorted by motorcycles of the IPA Region “Right Riders” Warsaw, to the “Techncian House” building. There was an official welcome of the colleagues from abroad, and the representatives of: Mazovian Province Governor (Voivode), Mazovian Province Marshall, Mazovian Province Police Commander, IPA Polish Section Vice President - Piotr Bek, IPA Świętokrzyska Provincial Group president – Piotr Nosek, IPA members, and all the guests present.
The Mazovian Provincial Group president – Zygmunt Kot – presented the Group's history since its origin to the present day. He also presented the achievements of the IPA in Mazovia, i.e. International conferences, football/futsal tournaments, car rallies, hiking, kayaking, both domestic and abroad trips, visiting IPA colleagues from abroad. The IPA Mazovian Provincial Group activity is appreciated by the Polish Section National Board. The Group was singled out a couple of times as the most active group in Poland (awards in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, and 2010). The Polish Section President - Arkadiusz Skrzypczak and Secretary General - Agnieszka Hamelusz come from the Mazovian Group, too. It is a big honour for us.
After the speech of the President Kot, the 10th and 20th anniversary of IPA membership badges were given, as well as gifts for the invited guests and foreign delegations. Also were awarded thank-diplomas to our sponsors, without whom the event could not be held. Thank you very much!
Invited guests warmly congratulated beautiful anniversary and wished further fruitful work and much success in the field of social activity of the IPA.
Then the artistic part started. The Scout Folk Song and Dance “Children of Płock” group performed on the stage. The kids danced and sang beautifully, and at the end of the show received some IPA gifts.
After dinner and performances, again with the Orchestra we marched back to the Old Town Market to participate in the event “Płock Day of Non-Governmental Initiatives”.
In the evening a banquet was held with fun until dawn.
On behalf of myself and the IPA Mazovian Provincial Group I would like to thank all individuals and institutions who contributed to the organization of this event.
We hope that the idea of IPA: “Servo per Amikeco” (Service through Friendship) will continue to serve us as a signpost for further work and cooperation.
Written by:Zygmunt Kot
Translated by: (C) Krzysztof Kapturski
Photos : Anna Jaworska
