Regeneration is a cohesive theme bringing together presentations of contemporary Polish art and design in the buildings of the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament in honour of Poland’s presidency of the council. Full of positive energy and geared toward the future, the presentation speaks to the need to care for our shared resources, build resilience, practice interpersonal and interspecies solidarity, and foster a sense of security and comfort.

In this last aspect, the Regeneration theme relates directly to the motto of the Polish presidency: Security, Europe! During the six months of its presidency of the Council of the European Union, Poland will focus on security in its many dimensions, both external and internal, on information, the economy, energy, food and health.

During this significant time for Poland, we wanted to fill the halls of these vital European institutions with art and design
that soothe the senses, drawing attention to the mental and physical balance crucial for a sense of security and comfort. Modern times call for resilience and an awareness that we live in a system of interconnected vessels – we depend on each other and the well-being of our planet.

Water is the central motif of the installation by designer Alicja Patanowska, as the symbolic life source and a metaphor for interspecies interdependence; while artist Alicja Biała’s installation, created using copper-plate engraving, transports passers-by to a garden full of plants with regenerative properties. Meanwhile, architect Katarzyna Baumiller has filled the interiors of the Justus Lipsius, Europa and Parliament buildings with beautiful spaces for regeneration and quiet, focused work surrounded by the latest in Polish design.

These presentations showcase works by Polish artists, often of the youngest generation, boldly entering the international art and design scene. Their works show Poland’s fresh and modern face, which in 2025 returns to the Presidency of the Council of the European Union as an essential player co-determining its future and security.

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In the first half of 2025, Poland takes centre stage on the European cultural scene, marking Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union with an extensive and dynamic artistic programme prepared by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute (AMI). While this six-month period will be full of significant formal engagements, it is, above all, a chance to celebrate the vibrant energy, creativity and openness of Polish culture in ways that inspire new perspectives and foster mutual understanding.

From January to June 2025, audiences in over twenty European Union and accession countries will be able to participate in a series of extraordinary events: concerts, exhibitions, performances, film screenings, panel discussions and meetings. For all these events, Polish culture serves as a platform for dialogue, allowing diverse communities to exchange experiences and knowledge. Through strategic partnerships with well-established European institutions and the involvement of renowned artists,
the international cultural programme of the Polish Presidency embodies a spirit of unity and respect for diversity.

Among the highlights of Poland’s cultural programme, special exhibitions of contemporary Polish art and design, all sharing
the theme of Regeneration, will be presented in the buildings
of the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. This theme aligns with the fundamental goals of the AMI’s cultural programme, which seeks to find common ground, strengthen bonds, explore the beauty of our diversity and share the unique aspects of our cultures. These presentations illustrate the spirit of renewal, collaboration and innovation that drives Polish creators today. These works, created mainly by young, emerging artists and designers, showcase an exciting blend of tradition and cutting-edge thinking, reinforcing Poland’s image as an engaged and forward-looking partner in the European community.

This is a unique opportunity to encounter and immerse oneself in Polish culture. We invite you to discover our exhibitions and events as you explore the bold visions of contemporary Polish artists and designers – visions that delight and inspire, reflecting the dynamism and creativity of a modern Europe.