The Polish Go Association promotes the game of Go in Poland, co-organises tournaments, supports the establishment and development of Go clubs, and promotes the community of Go players throughout the country.

In addition, the association represents Poland in international Go events and works to make the game more popular and accessible. With activities ranging from supporting local club meetings to organising major events such as the Polish Go Championship (since 1979) or the European Go Congress (1995 and 2004 in Tuchola, 2013 in Olsztyn), the PSG plays a key role in promoting Go as a cultural and sporting activity in Poland.

Since 2024, PSG has been running a free online Go League with more than 100 players and 6 teachers, aiming to build positive relationships between players and increase their level of play. We provide the opportunity to play longer games regularly and get comments from strong players.

The EGF is a non-profit organization with the purpose of encouraging, regulating, coordinating and disseminating the playing of Go in Europe. It has a history of more than 50 years of organising congresses, championships, tournaments, and leagues throughout Europe.

Membership is open to the Go organising body in any country in, or near to, Europe. As of 2018 there were 37 members and the number continues to grow.

GoDan is a company founded by Janusz Kraszek - Polish Go player, 5 dan.

In 1983 he was the only Polish so far to win the title of European champion. He won the title of individual Polish champion twelve times (1979-1986, 1988-1989, 1993, 2003) and Polish champion of pairs twice (1999 with Emilia Grudzińska 1 k, 2004 with Katarzyna Koenig 1 dan).

He has also been involved in computer go, and is the author of the go program Star of Poland. This programme won the European computer championships several times (1987, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1997). He also competed in the computer world championships (best 2nd place in 1993).

Between 1993 and 1997 Janusz Kraszek served as president of the Polish Go Association.

Currently, he is the owner of the GoDan S.A. company - one of the largest retailers of decorations, gadgets and all party supplies in Poland. Since 1991 GoDan have been providing our customers with everything they need to celebrate an important occasion, throw an unforgettable party and please their loved ones. It doesn't matter if it is a stag party, a child's birthday party or a themed party - GoDanParty always rises to the occasion.

Product range includes: balloons, helium balloon bottles, carnival costumes and accessories, themed party supplies, confetti, streamers or carnival masks.

GoDanParty has been working for years with Polish and global leaders in the party supplies market. GoDan business partners include companies from Poland, the European Union, the United States and Asia. .

The Ministry of Sport and Tourism in Poland is a government institution responsible for developing and implementing policies related to sports, physical culture, and tourism. The ministry oversees the promotion and support of both professional and amateur sports activities, as well as the development of tourism infrastructure and services across the country. It plays a crucial role in fostering a healthy and active lifestyle among citizens, encouraging participation in sports, and enhancing Poland's attractiveness as a tourist destination. The ministry also collaborates with various national and international organizations to promote Polish culture and sports on a global stage.

Notification of the Granting of Honorary Patronage by the Embassy of Japan

In response to the letter dated May 7, 2024, we kindly inform you of the honorary patronage of the below-mentioned event by the Embassy & Ambassador of Japan.

The Embassy of Japan in Poland, located in Warsaw, serves as the primary diplomatic mission representing Japan's interests in Poland. It facilitates political, economic, cultural, and academic exchanges between the two nations. The embassy provides consular services to Japanese citizens, promotes Japanese culture, supports bilateral trade and investment, and strengthens the overall relationship between Japan and Poland. The current Ambassador, Akio Miyajima, leads the mission, ensuring effective communication and cooperation on various international and bilateral issues.

On behalf of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Poland, Hoonmin Lim, I thank you for the invitation to take honorary patronage of the 2025 European Go Congress.

I am pleased to inform you that the Embassy & Ambassador has taken honorary patronage of the "European Go Congress 2025," scheduled from July 19 to August 3, 2025.

Poland, known to us as the country of Chopin and Madame Curie, is a strong country that has achieved today's development and prosperity, overcoming a history of ups and downs and difficulties caused by the geopolitical environment.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1989. Korea and Poland have developed mutually beneficial cooperation, sharing historical experiences and universal values such as democracy and market economy. The bilateral relationship, which was transformed into a strategic partnership in 2013, continues to grow in many areas.

With embassies in both South and North Korea, Poland contributes to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as a member of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) at the demarcation line and is a strong ally of the Korean government, consistently supporting the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.

Poland, which is experiencing significant economic growth after a successful systemic transformation, is one of Korea's most important partners in Central Europe. Despite the negative impact of COVID-19, trade between our countries reached record levels in both 2020 and 2021. Investment by Korean companies is assessed as the most exemplary investment model, which contributes not only to job creation but also to the country's economic development. Currently, more than 270 Korean companies are active in Poland in sectors ranging from manufacturing to high-tech industries such as batteries for electric vehicles. It is expected that the deepened cooperation between our countries will expand in the future to include other fields such as energy, infrastructure and the arms industry.

The interest and popularity of cultural and people-to-people exchanges between our countries is also high. The enthusiasm of young Poles for Hallyu is now extending to an interest in the Korean language and Korean culture in general. Although we are currently experiencing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as soon as the pandemic situation improves, there will be a resumption of people-to-people exchanges through sustainable foundations such as the Korean Cultural Centre and the King Sejong Institute, the direct air link operating since 2016, the 'Visit and Work' programme inaugurated in 2018 and the scholarship programme.

Our Embassy will spare no effort for the bilateral relations that have been developing so well for more than 30 years, and strive to further bring Korea and Poland closer together and deepen our partnership for mutual benefit. In addition, we will make every effort to protect the rights and interests of our citizens and businesses residing in Poland and to ensure the safety of travellers.

We kindly ask for your interest in our activities and support for the Embassy.

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Poland, Hoonmin Lim

The Mayor of the Capital City of Warsaw, Mr Rafał Trzaskowski, takes honorary patronage of the European Go Congress 2025.

The Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, Mr. Adam Struzik, has assumed honorary patronage of the European Go Congress 2025. "On behalf of the Marshal, we would like to congratulate PSG on the organisation of the event, which will provide an opportunity to integrate and exchange experiences of fans of one of the oldest strategic board games - Go. The event also provides an opportunity to promote the culture, traditions and tourist attractions of our country internationally".

As the Stołeczne Centrum Sportu AKTYWNA WARSZAWA (Capital Sports Centre ACTIVE WARSAW), we combine sport with education and culture, and promote active lifestyle among the inhabitants of Warsaw. This is our mission. We have become partners with Polish Go Association to prepare EGC 2025 in order to host such a significant sporting event on Polish soil, which will help to build a positive image of Poland as an open, hospitable and modern country.

Although Poland and South Korea are ethnically and culturally distinct countries, they share a similar history and national sentiment. In addition, a piece of music adored by Poles - known as Chopin and Penderecki's "Fifth Korean Symphony" - has brought great comfort and joy to Koreans.

At present, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1989 and the strengthening of the strategic partnership in 2013, many Korean companies have been operating in Poland. Poland and Korea's cooperation and mutual assistance have promoted the development of both countries in various fields, such as politics, economy and culture.

The Korean Cultural Center in Poland was opened in 2010 to introduce Korean culture to Poles and to promote cultural exchange and cooperation between our countries.

I hope that various aspects of Korean culture, such as K-pop, Korean cuisine, Korean films, and taekwondo, will bring joy to the daily lives of Poles.

In addition, I want the Korean Cultural Center to be a place that actively cooperates with institutions, organizations and individuals related to culture and the arts in Poland.

"Little Korea" in Poland - the Korean Culture Center in Warsaw is always open to you.

Thank you.

Director of the Cultural Center of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea

Dangkweon Lee

Mr. Hongyun Chai first encountered Weiqi (Go) in 1985 as a student in China, during the historic China-Japan Weiqi Challenge, where the Chinese player Nie Weiping's victories sparked his interest in the game. Since then, Mr. Hongyun Chai has been an enthusiastic supporter of Weiqi.

In Poland, Mr. Hongyun Chai is deeply involved in a range of businesses with strong social value, rather than a focus on profit. His endeavors include running the first Chinese media platform in Poland, the Polish Chinese Information Network, and the Polish Chinese Information WeChat, which also promotes European Go Journal. Additionally, he owns three Chinese restaurants ("China Town") in Warsaw, manages a Chinese school for teaching foreigners, provides business consulting, and is involved in trade, importing and exporting goods between China and Poland. He is formally a Polish Go Association Weiqi Ambassador, representing PSG mission abroad.

Regarding Weiqi, Mr. Hongyun Chai finds the game intellectually stimulating due to its endless variations and strategic depth. He believes it cultivates problem-solving skills and persistence, key qualities both on the board and in life.

He initiated the idea of hosting Weiqi Cups in Poland in order to to create a bridge between Chinese culture and Polish society.

Mr. Hongyun Chai strongy supports Weiqi in Poland - he has sponsored several Weiqi Cups and is actively involved in the planning of the 2025 European Go Congress in Poland. His goal is to offer an unforgettable experience with world-class accommodations, competitive play, and cultural activities.

To potential sponsors, Mr. Hongyun Chai emphasizes the importance of supporting Weiqi in Europe. He recognizes the struggles of European Go players, particularly the lack of financial support, and encourages more people to come forward to elevate the status of Polish Go within Europe.

We are please to announce that Euro Asian Association, lead by Mr. James Nam, has become a formal new partner of ECG2025.

Mr. James Nam, former chairman of the Korean community in Poland is living in Poland for 27 years,since 1997.

He is a supporting EGC 2025 in Poland via mentoring, networking and advising on approach. He decided to build a new association (Euro Asian Association together for the better future) with Polish friends. The main mission is to build good relations between young, smart Koreans and Poles. He believes there is so much young people can bring to the world nowadays, and he want to help them direct a new future. He wants to create more opportunities of exchange for them in various areas, like through art fairs in each country to promote their artists; film festivals because both countries love films; sports competitions and events like for soccer, e-sports and Baduk.

Another vision he has is to motivate Polish entrepreneurs to go to Korea and guide them properly. He want to open the Korean market to foreign companies, especially from the younger generation. There are many smart players in Poland and he wants to help them to understand and venture into the Korean market.

He believes there are so many ways we can collaborate, and connecting his two homes, Poland and Korea, to bringing the best out of them each for mutual benefit and expansion. He said "I believe that through these opportunities, as we get to know each other better, business & cultural opportunities and more synergy effect will also come, and we can work together for a better future."

ISGS aims to create an environment for international Go research by contributing to the academic establishment of Go through interdisciplinary research and application, promoting academic exchanges and friendship among members, and promoting academic exchanges with international scholars and related organizations. The 3rd ISGS Conference on Go Studies is currently planned to be held during the EGC 2025 in Warsaw, Poland, on the tentative date of July 23, 2025 (Wednesday), with the theme “Connecting through Go: Education, Promotion, and Exchange.” Stay tuned for the “Call for Presentations” to be announced soon.