The newest in the collection of roundabouts named after out charity has been officially opened in Warsaw's district of Ursynów, on a busy intersection of Płaskowicka and Roentgen streets.
I am very familiar with this area, as it connects the busy areas of Kabaty and Ursynów with the rest of the metropolis. I am also very familiar with the traffic on this busy intersection, but I also know what a great solution to traffic congestion a roundabout is! Thousands of people pass this roundabout in their cars and on buses. It used to be an anonymous part of the road, bleak and easily forgotten. Now, I believe that even in the midst of daily frustration, we'd be able to glance at the name of this roundabout and catch a glimpse of its name and reflect on the power of the "playing" together and for the common good. I often catch myself smiling at cars sporting our stickers. I can see our logo winking from all over and I cannot help but think that I would struggle to find anyone in Poland who has not heard about our mission. We have been together for nearly thirty years and we created something unique - bringing hope and real help to people in need. We created a positive movement - full of music and laughter, and joy - making positive memories. Thousands of people - not only in Warsaw but across the globe join our fundraiser. We play with energy, with the power of ou conviction which is very necessary when it comes to solving problems - both in public and private lives.
Dear driver, passenger, and passer-by - please smile and think about all people who pitched in to create the experience of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. Please smile and think about lives saved thanks to our mutual efforts. Hats off to the city officials, who gave that much positive power to that small, busy intersection!
- Jurek Owsiak, chairman of the GOCC
The 31st Grand Finale is not just about local events or the main concert in Warsaw! Each year we do our best to make it possible for everyone to join our Orchestra from every corner of the Earth!
As you already know, we play with everyone and for everyone. What is more, in Warsaw we play in a totally new location! For the first time ever the heart of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity will be beating at the PGE Narodowy meadows.
Five days before the 32nd Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, we visited the 'Pomnik - Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka' (Children's Memorial Health Institute) to ceremoniously inaugurate the first Ophthalmic Simulation Laboratory in Europe dedicated exclusively to the field of peadiatric ophthalmology.
