"You are a part of Poznań, we're glad you're here, and thank you for your positive energy" - said Jacek Jaśkowiak, the Mayor of Poznań, who later shared the Christmas wafer with the event participants.

Thursday evening at City Hall, right next to the city Christmas tree, a multinational choir of Poles and foreigners assembled to sing the Christmas carol known around the World - "Silent Night", with each stanza being sung in a different language. The choir sung in Polish, English, German, Italian, Chinese, and Spanish.

The performers could later warm themselves up with traditional Polish barszcz (beetroot soup). They also adorned gingerbreads with various national flags. The evening was full of Christmas warmth, calming music and the spirit of various cultures with a lot of respect for each other and seeking mutual understanding.

"Christmas unites us, today we are all here together. Let the holiday season be an opportunity to take a break from everyday life, and the magical Christmas atmosphere make up for the difficulties of work and studying" - Mayor Jaśkowiak said.

A common message of love and joy - these are the ideas guiding the organizers of the carolling event at the Old Market. The event has been prepared by the City of Poznań and the Centrum Inicjatyw Młodzieżowych Horyzonty foundation.

"We want to show that Poznań is a multicultural city, which welcomes all cultures and nationalities. Especially people, who live in Poznań and are our neighbours. We are glad to be assembled here in such great numbers" - ascertained Ula and Kamil of the CIM Horyzonty foundation.

Hubert Bugajny/press office