About 10 thousand of Poles from different Lithuanian regions arrived on this solemn march. Everybody was lined up according to the municipalities headed by their leaders. They arrived to the capital with a smile on their faces to celebrate their day - the Day of Polonia and Poles Abroad.

The march started at 11 am at the square by the Seimas. The Main Board of the ZPL (Association of Poles in Lithuania) and ZPL Council together with the Chairman of the ZPL, Michal Mackevič, marched right behind the orchestra and the bands. Behind them - representatives of the regions of Vilnius, Šalčininkai, Švenčionys, Kaunas, Kėdainiai, Širvintos, Trakai, Zarasai, Varėna, Klaipėda, Druskininka, etc. The procession was closed by the representatives of the city of Vilnius.

On the festive celebration of the Day of Polonia and Poles Abroad and the Day of the Flag honoured guests have arrived as well. Among others: HE Janusz Skolimowski, Ambassador of Poland in Vilnius; Stanisław Cygnarowski, General Consul of Poland in Vilnius; leader of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania, Member of the European Parliament Valdemar Tomaševski with spouse; Michal Mackevič, Member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the Chairman of the Association of Poles in Lithuania; Juzef Kvetkovskij, Member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the Chairman of the Association of Polish Schools "Macierz Szkolna"; Rita Tamašiūnienė, Member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Chairwoman of the EAPL faction in the Seimas; Vanda Kravčionok, Member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, EAPL Vice chairwoman; Member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania on behalf of EAPL; Edvard Trusevič, Vice minister of the Ministry of Culture on behalf of EAPL; Edita Tamošiūnaitė, vice-minister of the Ministry of Education and Science on behalf of EAPL; Jaroslav Kaminski, Vice mayor of the city of Vilnius; Marija Rekst, Mayor of Vilnius District; Zdzislav Palevič, Mayor of Šalčininkai District. Also councillors of self-governments were present: of the city of Vilnius and Districts of Vilnius, Šalčininkai, Trakai, Švenčionys and Širvintos.

Pupils of Polish schools in Lithuania ahead with their teachers and administration also participated in the march. There were also representatives of the Polish social organisations and scouts. Independent people and Polish families also came to celebrate this beautiful day.

The people gather marched through Gedymino Avenue, Vilnius Street, Vokieciu Street to the Gate of Dawn where Holy Mass was celebrated in the intention of all the Poles. Numerous compatriots were welcomed by Priest Jan Kasiukevič.

The Holy Mass was concelebrated by well deserved Vilnius priests, namely by the Prelate Jan Kasiukevič, rector of the Chapel of the Gate of Dawn, pastor of the St. Theresa Church in Vilnius, Priest Miroslav Grabovski, pastor of the St. Michael the Archangel in Šumskas, Priest Dean Juzef Aškelovič, Pastor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Maišiagala, Priest Tadeuš Matulanec, Pastor of the Ascension parish in Eišiškės.

At the end of the Mass the people sang an old polish song "Boże, coś Polskę".

At the end of the event Michal Mackevič thanked the compatriots for coming. "Sincere thank you all for coming. I hope that solidarity will continue to accompany us" - said the Chairman of the ZPL.

The march on the celebration of the Day of Polonia and Poles Abroad came back on the streets of Vilnius after a three-year break. The last one took place in 2009. The Main Board of the Association of Poles in Lithuania initiated to renew the tradition.

l24.lt