Ą, Ę, Ł, Ś, Ć, Ó, Ń, Ż, Ź – Polish is easy! | Polish Institute Brussels programme at Polish Day in Brussels
Rustling, whooshing, crackling, buzzing, rasping – the sounds of the Polish language.
In Polish, the language is called “polszczyzna” – a word that is tricky to say and even harder to spell. Poles love their language. They enjoy talking about it, joking about it, and even arguing over what is correct. Because even native speakers don’t always agree on what “proper Polish” really means.
But Polish doesn’t just sound unusual – it looks that way, too. Some letters grow tails and wear hats – ą, ę, ś, ć, ó, ń, ż, ź – each one adding a special twist. Not to mention the consonants gathered in clusters that seem impossible to pronounce – szcz, prz, źdź. At first, they look like a puzzle. But somehow, they work.
Today, around 45 million people around the world speak Polish and you can be one of them. Yes, it’s a challenge. But it’s also an adventure.
Join us at the Polish Day in Brussels on 28 June in Parc du Cinquantenaire. Visit Polish Insititute’s stand to dive into the Polish language, discover its sounds, shapes and stories. And maybe even say your first “cześć” (hi), making some funny “dźwięki” (sounds) that might bring you a little “szczęście” (happiness).
Let’s learn, play together and explore Polish!
Programme:
10:00-18:00
Polszczyzna – exhibition
Join us on a journey across a most unique alphabet and listen to the hissy-shishychittery sounds of the Polish language. Our guide will be associations, dots, slashes, acute accents and squiggles which will help us remember what is most singular and interesting about the Polish tongue.
10:00-18:00
Polish is easy (?!) – activity table (not only) for kids
Discover the playful side of the Polish language. Join us for games and puzzles with the Polish alphabet, tongue-twisting words, and tricky spellings. Together, we will create a colorful group drawing inspired by the beauty of Polish letters and sounds.
13:00 – 13:30
16:00 – 16:30
Polish is my superpower! – language workshops for foreigners
Take on the challenge and learn basic Polish phrases with Maciej Mielnik i Michalina Knyś from the University of Mons & Université libre de Bruxelles. Discover your options for learning Polish in Belgium, in Poland, and remotely. Duration: 30 min.
13:30 – 13:45 | at our stand
14:40 – 14:55 | on the main stage
16:30 – 16:45 | at our stand
Sounds like Polish – performance
Experience Polish like never before in a unique sound performance by Katharina Smets & Tim Vandenbergh. Through voice and music, they play with the rhythms and tones of the Polish language – making it more familiar and inviting for those hearing it for the first time, or learning it. Duration: 15 min.
Katharina Smets (born 1984) – Polish-Belgian radio producer and professor of audio storytelling at the School of Arts Royal Conservatoire in Antwerp.
Tim Vandenbergh (born 1976) – Belgian musician – contemporary music: pop, rock/alternative, bass guitar, double bass.
10:00-11:30
Diplodocus – matinée film screening for children
Full-length feature for family audience, combining animation and live-action.
The titular dinosaur sets off on an adventure to save his parents, who have mysteriously disappeared. Together with a wizard and two eccentric scientists, he meets fantastic creatures and visits amazing places along the way.
Polish Day in Brussels 2025
28 June
10:00 – 22:00
Parc du Cinquantenaire
Brussels
Check out the full event programme
The 4th edition of Polish Day in Brussels is organized by the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the European Union, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland & Sztabki a.s.b.l – Help Centre Belgium in collaboration with Polish institutions and organizations based in Belgium.
