Visitors to the event at Botanic Gardens tomorrow can expect Polish food, art and music from Polish indie quartet Potty Umbrella. There will also be an exhibition and information stand on Krakow, a best-dressed man and woman competition, and a strongest man competition.

An estimated 35,000 Polish people have made Ulster their home in recent years and this week's festival is aimed at showcasing Polish cultural life and promoting the integration of Ulster and Polish people.

Several Polish businesses have been established in Ulster and there is also a Polish magazine published in Carrickfergus called Glosik, which means 'small voice'.

This week's cultural festival is organised by the Polish Association of Northern Ireland. Armagh's Solstice Gallery is hosting an exhibition of Irish and Polish art, while photographers and cartoonists are exhibiting at a number of Belfast galleries.

The Queen's Film Theatre began a week-long series of movies by Polish directors, including Testosteron, a comedy tackling the universal theme of men and women and their struggle to understand each other, which was a major box office hit in Poland.