The President of Poland, Bronislaw Komorowski, said at the meeting in Spala that "Polish countryside is not a paradise on earth. It struggles with a number of problems. However, it is a place where hard work is effective and bears fruits. That should be our main incentive".

He expressed his gratitude towards those who work for modern future of the countryside. "I would like to thank all of the people who cherish the beautiful Polish tradition of agriculture. I thank all the families in rural areas - women, farmers, children and the youth who grasp every opportunity to get a proper education. Education that will  later be put to a good use in their work at farms and will make Polish countryside better, more attractive and wiser." After receiving the traditional loaf of bread made from this year harvest, the President pointed out that it was his dream for bread to be always given fairly and abundantly. Bronislaw Komorowski visited the exhibitions prepared by farmers and food producers. The beekeeping Farm "Sadecki Bartnik" has taken part in the Harvest Festival for the fifth time. The Harvest Festival was accompanied by a contest for the most beautiful harvest wreath, a show of artistic craft, fairs of Polish traditional food and a number of folk performances. There was also organized a meeting entitled "Women of countryside in the modern world" attended by Anna Komorowska, the President's wife. The first Harvest Festival in Spala took place 85 years ago from the initiative of President Ignacy Moscicki, who continued to organize it annually between 1927 and 1938. After a 62-year break, President Aleksander Kwasniewski reactivated this tradition in 2000. Between 2006 and 2008 the festival was demoted to the regional importance. In 2009 Lech Kaczynski returned to Spala. Bronislaw Komorowski is the forth president who visits Spala in order to celebrate the harvest time together with farmers from all around the country. Source: PAP, IAR, TVP Info. Photo: Janusz Kasztelewicz