Ottawa- 11 year-old pianist Jan Lisiecki, 12 year-old violinist Anna Filochowska and 15 year-old violinist Piotr Filochowski accompanied by pianist Glen Montgomery performed to a packed audience at the auditorium of the National Gallery of Canada at an event entitled “Polich children extending a wish for peace to Afghan children”.

The event sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland and the National Gallery was attended by House Speaker Hon. Peter Milliken, Foreign Affairs Assistant Deputy Minister, James Fox, and a number of Ambassadors, diplomats and music lovers.

While the world-renowned musicians received a standing ovation, the proceeds from donations will go to the “Polish Humanitarian Organization” headed by Ms. Janina Ochoska, whose NGO is involved in several Afghan provinces building schools and providing humanitarian assistance.

Afghan Ambassador Omar Samad and Mrs. Khorshied Samad expressed their appreciation to Ambassador Piotr Ogrodzinski and the staff of the Embassy for organizing the event. The following are remarks made by the Afghan envoy:

“Your Excellency, my friend Ambassador and Madame Ogrodzinski,

Mr. Speaker Milliken,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

C’est un grand plaisire et un honneur pour moi et pour ma femme de participer a cette soiree intitulee « Les enfants de Pologne envoient des vœux de paix aux enfants Afghans ».

Je voudrais remercier l’ambassadeur Ogrodzinski et ses collegues a l’ambassade de pologne et aussi le Musee des Beaus Arts du Canada pour organizer ce concert des fetes ce soir.

what a great treat for a worthy cause if I may say so! Indeed, more than any other group within society, all children across the globe need and deserve peace and other basic necessities that we sometime take for granted. In my country, two generations of children experienced an abnormal existence as a result of war, conflict, poverty, terror and extremism.

Today, however, there is hope for millions of children who are yearning to go to school and live productive lives in the future in a peaceful environment. That is our goal, and the goal of so many contributing nations like Poland and Canada to help us restore durable peace and keep hope alive. We are grateful for your help and the sacrifices that make this noble cause possible.

This initiative through music performed by the talented young musicians JAN LISIECKI

ANNA FILOCHOWSKA and PIOTR FILOCHOWSKA with the accompaniment by GLEN MONTGOMERY and through the participation of the well known Polish NGO “Polish Humanitarian Organization”, whose founder and president madame Janina OCHOSKA has provided valuable help to thousands of needy people in some of the most remote and difficult places in the world, is very timely and much appreciated.

Madame OCHOSKA’s projects in many countries and regions, including Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Kosovo, Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon and in Chechnya, are an inspiration and a source of hope for many fellow human beings affected by war or other types of natural or man-made disasters.

From the children of Afghanistan to the children of Poland and many other countries who are helping us today rebuild schools, colleges, clinics and other institutions, I want to thank you for your generosity and your human touch across borders, nationalities, religions and political divides.

We look forward to the concert and Bonne soiree.”

Amb. Samad also hosted a luncheon on Dec. 13, in honor of the young polish musicians and Ambassador and Mrs.Ogrodzinski at the Afghan House.