the POLSKI blog

Poland’s equivalent of Comic Relief is happening today. It’s called Wielka Orkiestra Swiątecznej Pomocy, which roughly translates as Grand Christmas Charity Orchestra. No comedy, but the same level of engagement and a similar purpose – to raise money for charity.

This year the event concentrates on raising money for medical equipment allowing hospitals across Poland to screen toddlers and small children for early signs of cancer.

I was asked by Sylwia to answer a couple of WOSP meme questions, but let me do it indirectly by giving you a few facts about WOSP:

• it was launched in 1993 by Jurek Owsiak, a Polish social campaigner and TV and radio personality; the purpose of the first Orchestra was convincing Poles to donate to charity, and to raise enough money for new hospital equipment for children with cardiac problems;
• my radio station got actively involved with WOSP in 1994 and that’s when I first participated although mostly reporting on it;
• the first collection produced more than $1.5m for charity, which was a stunning result; each year they hope to beat WOSP’s previous year’s record, which means today they’ll aim to break the $14m barrier; altogether Polish hospitals after sixteen editions of the event are over $100m better off so far thanks to WOSP;
• every first or second Sunday of January the entire country organises massive parties, sporting events, concerts, one-off special events and of course collections, which involve thousands of volunteers across the country and all over the world, including Great Britain, Ireland and other countries with strong Polish communities;
• WOSP is televised and is live all day on TVP (the public broadcaster in Poland);
• this year the organisers also want people to get active and to feel better by running.

Sylwia also asked what WOSP means to people. Well, here’s the answer: Poland’s gazeta.pl published a report by Brand Asset Valuator, according to which WOSP is – allegedly – the most popular brand among public bodies worldwide. In Poland itself it’s stronger than anything else, including some well-established and well-known brands like Coca-Cola.

WOSP is also collecting money in the UK and Ireland today, so if you come across Polish people with big red heart stickers like the one above, do help them break another record!

If you’d like to read Jurek’s message in English, click here, here’s how he’s trying to encourage people to donate (and run) this year: