FINISHING touches are today being put to preparations for Ipswich's first Polski Picnic. Held in Ipswich's Christchurch Park on Sunday , the event will include music, food, dancing and a visit by the Polish Ambassador Barbara Tuge-Erecinska.

FINISHING touches are today being put to preparations for Ipswich's first Polski Picnic.

Held in Ipswich's Christchurch Park on Sunday , the event will include music, food, dancing and a visit by the Polish Ambassador Barbara Tuge-Erecinska.

Ros Green, director of Hungry Arts which is organising the event, said: “The Polski picnic starts at 11am and there will be live music from 11.30am. The event is free and for all ages and all communities.

“It will be a visual spectacle and a celebration of the Ipswich and Suffolk polish community.”

With an estimated 17,000 Poles in Suffolk, including 5,000 in Ipswich, Miss Green said the event is a chance for communities to engage in a social environment.

The picnic will feature performances by Poland's preeminent contemporary world music act The Warsaw Village Band, Mazury Folk Dance Company, and Kopi Katz band.

There is also a Gypsy violin workshop at 11am and all day circus skills workshops.

Miss Green said: “Securing The Warsaw Village Band is a huge coup for the people of Suffolk. The Polski Picnic is a fabulous opportunity to find out more about the Polish community. We have been delighted by the support offered by Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council.”

There will also be Polish food stalls, traditional crafts and children's activities.

The Polski Picnic is the climax of the town's Polish Arts Festival which includes a Polish Film Festival in the Hollywood Cinemas, a contemporary Polish Art Exhibition in the Town Hall Galleries throughout September.

Are you Polish? What do you think of the Polski Picnic? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

On the main stage

11am - Gypsy violin workshop

11.30am - The Kopi Katz

1.30pm - Mazury Polish Dance Company

3.30pm - The Warsaw Village Band

Did you know?

The Warsaw Village Band is Kapela ze wsi Warszawa in Polish.