Dożynki is an old Polish custom of celebrating the harvest, thanking farmers for their hard work, and honoring folk culture. This tradition remains strong not only within our country, but also among the Polish community abroad. In the Šalčininkai region of Lithuania, which is inhabited by more than 80 percent Poles and with which Kalisz signed a letter of intent for cooperation between local governments in 2022, dożynki is one of the most important holidays of the year. The city of Kalisz was represented at this year's ceremony by Tadeusz Skarżynski- Chairman of the Kalisz City Council and Councilman Marcin Małecki.

The Mayor of the Šalčininkai region, Zdzislaw Palewicz, welcomed the guests at an official reception, during which letters addressed by Mayor Krystian Kinastowski and the Rector of Akademia Kaliska, prof. Andrzej Wojtyła, were delivered.

The program of the visit included a tour of sites in Vilnius connected with Poland. Wishing to pay special tribute to the father of Polish independence, the Kalisz councilors lit a candle at the grave where the mother and heart of Marshal Józef Piłsudski rest. At the same time, in view of the September 17 anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland, a candle was lit at the grave of one of the unknown soldiers resting in the Polish military Rasos cemetery. Afterwards, representatives of Kalisz took part in the grand opening of the Władysław Kozakiewicz Sports and Recreation Center in Šalčininkai.

Sunday was the time for meetings and discussions on cooperation between Kalisz and Poles in Lithuania, especially in the areas of sports, education and culture. The delegation also had the opportunity to learn about the cultural heritage of the region.