People from the Continent is an event that takes place regularly since 2007, and since 2009 as part of the WCW (Warsaw Multicultural Center) Pilotage. Every edition is dedicated to presenting the work of artists from different culture. In addition to love for the art the thing they have in common is the fact that they live and create in Warsaw.

In October 2009 during African Warsaw the following works were presented: paintings of artists from Ethiopia and Mali, Senegalese-Polish poetry as well as a book of an author who came to Warsaw form Nigeria. What is more, it was possible to take part in drum workshops and the discussion panel concerning African art and its influence on the work of the Europeans. http://kontynent.waw.pl/ludziezkontynentu/afrykanska/ 

Another event (April 2010) consisted of Tibetan Warsaw. This time Tibetans living in Warsaw as well as invited for this special occasion guests presented their art. It was possible to see an exhibition of thankgas – painted or embroidered scrolls of religious significance and take part in creating a sand mandala – the symbol of harmony. Finally, dance and vocal performances by Tibetan monks and Śnieżne Lwy (Snow Lions) group took place...                    

http://kontynent.waw.pl/ludziezkontynentu/tybetanska/

Japanese Warsaw (November 2010) was an opportunity for Warsaw artists from the land of the rising sun to present their art. This event allowed the residents of the capital to familiarize, among other things, with the art of writing Haiku, making Origami, play Japanese games and take part in the Tea Ceremony, while children could listen to Japanese stories. During the whole event the inhabitants had opportunity to watch slide shows, sculptures and movies.

http://kontynent.waw.pl/ludziezkontynentu/japonska/

Another event from People from the Continent series was Caucasian Warsaw which took place in June 2011. Vernissage of an exhibition, Caucasian film workshops, concerts of Azerbaijani and Armenian bands (Gamid Group, Musa-ler), Georgian cuisine and wine workshops, presentation of slides and photos from the region, promotion of books on the Caucasus, presentation of Chechen dresses and many others took place as part of the meeting...  http://kontynent.waw.pl/ludziezkontynentu/kaukaska/          

Event presenting the Mexican face of the capital – Mexican Warsaw took place in December 2011 and is the last to date edition of People from the Continent.

More details on: http://www.kontynent.waw.pl/ludziezkontynentu/meksykanska 

First edition of the earlier mentioned Warsaw Multicultural Plein-Air took place in December 2009.

Artists of different cultures and countries were asked to cope with the topic of Warsaw. In their projects they could bring up any aspect of life of the capital: beginning from the city’s architecture, people and relations between them, smells, sounds, emotions, to hearsays and urban legends. Artists (dealing with different visual arts) came from very different corners of the world – Russia, Ukraine, Mexico, Togo, Ethiopia, French Martinique, Vietnam, India, and more. Their attempt to artistically deal with the reality of Warsaw was a fascinating experience because their works reflected both individual experience and the life of respective foreign artists in Warsaw as well as the history and cultural treasure that determines their origin.   

http://kontynent.waw.pl/plener/

The Continent of Warsaw portal also created a multicultural computer game http://apps.facebook.com/grakontynentwarszawa/ and works on a new documentary series about multicultural Warsaw. More information on www.kontynent.waw.pl.

translation: M. Owczarek