WARSAW — Poland's President Karol Nawrocki has decided not to organize a Hanukkah celebration at the Presidential Palace this year, marking a departure from a nearly two-decade tradition observed by his predecessors. The eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights began on December 14, 2025, but no invitations were issued from the palace, and no event was scheduled, as confirmed by representatives of Poland's Jewish community and reported by leading media outlets.
The tradition of hosting a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony at the Presidential Palace dates back to 2006, when it was initiated by then-President Lech Kaczyński, a co-founder of the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party. It was continued by subsequent presidents, including Bronisław Komorowski from the centrist Civic Platform and Andrzej Duda, also aligned with PiS. These events symbolized Poland's recognition of its religious diversity and acknowledgment of its rich pre-World War II Jewish heritage, when the country was home to Europe's largest Jewish population of around 3.5 million people.
Nawrocki, who assumed office in August 2025 after a narrow election victory backed by PiS, had signaled his intention to end the practice during his campaign. In January 2025, when asked by broadcaster RMF FM whether he would continue hosting Hanukkah celebrations if elected, Nawrocki responded firmly: "No. I take my attachment to Christian values seriously, so I celebrate holidays that are close to me as a person." He reiterated a similar stance in responses to far-right candidate Grzegorz Braun during the runoff campaign, emphasizing his commitment to promoting Polish traditions tied to Christian values.
Reports indicate that no invitations were sent out this year, and the president's chancellery website listed no related events. When contacted by the daily Rzeczpospolita, the presidential media office did not respond to inquiries. Jewish community leaders confirmed they had received no information about any palace-hosted celebration.
The decision has sparked criticism from public figures and commentators, who argue it represents a step away from inclusivity at a time when antisemitic incidents remain a concern in Europe. Writer and columnist Agata Passent, known for her social media commentary, reacted sharply: "There’s no need to be offended. A big guy doesn’t always equal a brave and honest one," implying a lack of courage in the president's choice.
Supporters have downplayed the controversy. Actor Lech Dyblik described it as overblown, stating that the issue would "resolve itself" and noting Nawrocki's transparency about his priorities during the campaign.
While no Hanukkah event will take place at the Presidential Palace, a ceremony is scheduled in the Sejm, Poland's lower house of parliament, on December 15, 2025, maintaining some official recognition at the legislative level.
The move comes amid broader debates over religious symbols in state institutions and Poland's historical relationship with its Jewish minority. Before the Holocaust, Jews comprised about 10% of Poland's population; today, the community numbers around 16,000. Symbolic gestures like the palace Hanukkah events have been seen by Jewish leaders as important for fostering dialogue and combating prejudice, especially following high-profile incidents.
In December 2023, far-right Confederation lawmaker Grzegorz Braun notoriously used a fire extinguisher to extinguish Hanukkah candles in the Sejm during a similar ceremony, an act widely condemned as antisemitic and leading to his temporary expulsion from proceedings. Braun, whose supporters largely backed Nawrocki in the presidential runoff (with exit polls showing 92.5% of his first-round voters switching to Nawrocki), framed his actions as opposition to "foreign religious rituals" in state buildings.
Critics of Nawrocki's decision argue that ending the palace tradition risks aligning with exclusionary narratives, particularly given rising reports of antisemitic rhetoric in Poland and Europe, exacerbated by tensions over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Monitoring groups have noted an uptick in such incidents since October 2023. However, Nawrocki has not linked his choice directly to Middle East events, framing it instead as a personal and value-based preference.
Opposition figures and commentators contend that the presidency should represent all citizens, regardless of faith. "This is not about private faith; it’s about whether the presidency represents all citizens," one opposition lawmaker remarked anonymously in media reports.
Nawrocki, a historian and former head of the Institute of National Remembrance, has positioned himself as a defender of Christian and national values. His election in June 2025, defeating centrist candidate Rafał Trzaskowski, was seen as a boost for conservative forces, despite the centrist coalition government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The absence of a palace Hanukkah event underscores shifting priorities under Nawrocki's administration, which has emphasized traditional Polish customs. While some view it as a minor change consistent with campaign promises, others see it as symbolically significant, potentially straining efforts to promote interfaith tolerance in a country still grappling with its complex Holocaust-era history.
As Hanukkah progresses, Jewish communities in Poland continue celebrations independently, with public menorah lightings in cities like Warsaw. The Sejm event will feature participation from various political figures, signaling that official recognition persists in some form.
This development highlights ongoing discussions in Poland about the role of religion in public life, national identity, and inclusivity toward minorities. With Nawrocki's five-year term just beginning, such decisions may set the tone for his approach to cultural and symbolic issues.
