Poland National Day 2026 in Jakarta. The 235th anniversary of Europe's first modern constitution. Here is the speech and what it means for both countries.

In 1791, Poland adopted a constitution. It was the first modern constitution in Europe and the second in the world. At a time when most of Europe was still ruled by absolute power, Poland chose a different path based on freedom, civic rights, shared governance, and responsibility for the common good.

Two hundred and thirty-five years later, on the evening of May 12, 2026, the Embassy of Poland in Jakarta hosted a reception to mark that anniversary. Poland's National Day falls on May 3 every year, commemorating the Constitution of May 3, 1791. In 2026, the Jakarta diplomatic reception was held on May 12. In the room: the Guest of Honour of the evening, H.E. Arifah Fauzi, Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, who delivered special remarks during the celebration; Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology H.E. Stella Christie; and other distinguished guests from Jakarta's diplomatic and governmental community.

The speech that opened Poland National Day 2026 did not stay in 1791. It moved through Poland's disappearance from the map for more than a century, through the country's restoration, and arrived at 2026 with a specific and direct argument: that Poland and Indonesia, two countries that have both fought for sovereignty and independence, are exactly the kind of countries the world needs right now.

Ambassador Barbara Szymanowska at the podium in Jakarta, May 12, 2026

What the Constitution of May 3rd Is and Why Poland National Day 2026 Matters

On May 3, 1791, the Polish constitution was adopted. First in Europe. Second in the world. At a time when absolute power defined most of the continent, Poland chose civic rights, shared governance, and a framework built on freedom. Only a few years later, Poland disappeared from the map, divided and occupied by neighboring powers for more than a century.

Through generations of occupation, Poles preserved their language, culture, identity, and belief in freedom. That resilience, determination, and faith in their values allowed them to regain independence. Today, Poland is a strong, democratic, and rapidly growing country, one of Europe's economic success stories and an active member of the international community.

The Polish Ambassador drew a direct line from that history to Indonesia's own. "Perhaps this is also why Poland feels a special connection with Indonesia," the speech noted, "a country that also fought for its sovereignty, independence and the right to shape its own future." That connection is not rhetorical. It is historical.

In 2026, with freedom, democracy, and respect for international law increasingly challenged globally, the argument was clear: the world needs more countries like Poland and Indonesia that stand consistently for the principles of the UN Charter, for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for a rules-based international order.

What Poland and Indonesia Are Building Together

Polish and Indonesian troops serve side by side in Lebanon as part of the UNIFIL mission under extremely difficult conditions. The Ambassador condemned attacks on Indonesian and Polish convoys and expressed sincere condolences for the loss of Indonesian soldiers who gave their lives in service.

On the economic side, Poland joined the G20 in 2026, a forum in which Indonesia already plays an important role. As a member of the European Union, Poland supports the ratification of the EU-Indonesia Free Trade Agreement, known as CEPA, seeing growing opportunities for trade, business, and investment. Polish products are gaining a growing presence on the Indonesian market. Indonesian products, especially coffee, are gaining greater popularity in Poland. The Ambassador noted that the first phrase she learned in Bahasa Indonesia was "kopi dulu."

The reception included an exhibition of six outstanding works from the Poland-Indonesia Friendship Batik Design Competition, celebrating the fusion of Polish and Indonesian visual cultures through art and tradition. The competition received 180 submissions from across Indonesia, with the judging panel gathering at the Embassy of Poland in Jakarta, and members from Poland joining online.

The jury was composed of Ambassador Barbara Szymanowska, Budi Dwi Haryanto founder of Rumah Batik Palbatu, Swa Setyawan Adinegoro curator of Museum Batik Indonesia, Indonesian fashion designer Poppy Dharsono, Ani Nigeriawati from Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Szymańska-Ilnata from the Asia and Pacific Museum in Warsaw, Aneta Marko from the Słupsk Cultural Center, and Natalia Wójcik-Kubisiak from the Embassy of Poland in Jakarta.

The Poland-Indonesia Friendship Batik Competition. One hundred and eighty entries. Winner: Franky Kurniawan.

The First Prize was awarded to Mr. Franky Kurniawan. The Second Prize went to Mr. Rijalul Haq Fadhlurrahman. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Mr. Muhamad Syarif Hidayatullah, Ms. Yayu Nur Alia Rabiah, Ms. Nurdiah Yusrin, and Ms. Haristiani Sholihah. The Ambassador wore the winning design at the reception, making it, she noted with a smile, not too difficult for guests to guess which work had taken the First Prize.

For more on Poland-Indonesia bilateral relations, follow the Embassy of Poland in Jakarta on Instagram and visit msz.gov.pl for official information.

 
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Sources of Photos
All photography from the Poland National Day 2026 reception in Jakarta on May 3, 2026 was sourced from official Embassy documentation.

Embassy of Poland in Jakarta Official Instagram - @pldiindonesia

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland — msz.gov.pl