A true Polish dinner

Experiencing a traditional Polish dinner in Białystok offers a delightful immersion into the rich culinary heritage of Poland. The meal typically begins with a comforting bowl of żurek, a sour rye soup enriched with sausage and hard-boiled eggs, renowned for its distinctive tangy flavor. ​Visit Poland

For the main course, kotlet schabowy is a popular choice. This breaded pork cutlet, reminiscent of a schnitzel, is usually served alongside mizeria, a refreshing cucumber salad mixed with sour cream and dill, and a helping of creamy mashed potatoes. ​pepehousing.comReddit

Another regional specialty to savor is kartacze—hearty potato dumplings filled with seasoned minced meat, reflecting the hearty culinary traditions of the Podlaskie region. ​travelsport24.com

To complete the meal, a slice of sernik, a traditional Polish cheesecake, provides a sweet and satisfying conclusion.

A jump in the past

Nestled near Knyszyn, the Wioska Mnicha offers a captivating journey into Poland’s rich past. This unique settlement is home to the Muzeum Siekier, the country’s largest axe museum, boasting a collection of over 2,000 axes from around the world, including specimens from Finland, Sweden, Norway, and beyond. ​Wioska Mnicha+1Log in or sign up to view+1

Visitors can explore two floors of meticulously arranged exhibits, showcasing axes that span various eras and cultures. The museum’s dedication to preserving and presenting these tools provides a tangible link to the craftsmanship and martial traditions of bygone times. ​

Beyond the museum, Wioska Mnicha offers workshops in traditional woodworking and blacksmithing, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the artisanal skills that shaped historical Poland. The village’s proximity to Knyszyn, where King Sigismund Augustus passed away in 1572, further enriches the historical tapestry of the visit.

Kick-off Meeting in Bialystok

On April 1–2, 2025, the city of Białystok, Poland, hosted the official kick-off meeting of the Erasmus+ project titled Empowering Migrant Ukrainian Women: Pathways to Integration through Entrepreneurship and Sustainability. The initiative, coordinated by FPiSi and supported by partners from across Europe, aims to foster the social and economic inclusion of Ukrainian women who have migrated due to conflict, displacement, or economic instability, with a special focus on entrepreneurship, urban regeneration, and environmental responsibility.

The meeting marked the beginning of a collaborative journey to develop tools, training modules, and case studies that will support Ukrainian women in building sustainable livelihoods and taking active roles in their new communities. Participants discussed the project’s core objectives: improving access to skills development, promoting social cohesion, and encouraging green entrepreneurship that aligns with the European Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Discussions in Białystok focused on establishing a common framework for identifying needs and good practices in different partner countries, while also emphasizing the unique challenges faced by Ukrainian migrant women—including legal uncertainty, gendered barriers to the labor market, and cultural adaptation. The consortium committed to designing tailored educational resources that address these challenges while promoting empowerment, agency, and sustainability.

A visit to local organizations supporting refugees and women entrepreneurs offered practical insights into the Białystok context, setting the tone for a project that bridges policy, grassroots engagement, and transnational solidarity.

This meeting laid the foundation for the creation of inclusive, replicable models of support for migrant women—turning displacement into opportunity through knowledge, community, and environmental consciousness.

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