During the official welcoming ceremony for the Russian President, Svetlana Medvedeva took part in a conversation with President of Poland Bronislaw Komorowski and his wife Anna.
Later, the first ladies of Russia and Poland visited the Frederic Chopin Museum, where they viewed the museum’s halls, renovated in time for the celebration of the composer’s 200th birthday anniversary in 2010. During the visit to the museum Svetlana Medvedeva said she was very happy to be visiting Poland and wished the Polish people all the best, good health and prosperity, and a merry Christmas.
After that the two first ladies visited the Warsaw International Centre of Hearing and Speech at the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, where they learned about with the centre’s programmes and unique technology.
Svetlana Medvedeva and Anna Komorowska visited patients at the recovery ward. The children undergoing treatment there recited poetry and sang Christmas carols for the distinguished guests. Svetlana Medvedeva handed out gifts to the young patients, wished them a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and health, happiness and prosperity.
The Russian First Lady wrote in the visitor’s book: ”You perform unique surgeries, returning adults and children to a full life. Your work is truly impressive. It is encouraging that the Institute’s doctors and specialists are working closely with colleagues from Moscow and St Petersburg, sharing best treatment methods and the latest medical technology.“
Svetlana Medvedeva presented the centre with a painting depicting a view of the Kremlin and wished the scientists new achievements and a continued cooperation with Russian colleagues.
In the evening, Dmitry and Svetlana Medvedev took a stroll through Warsaw, visiting the Old Market Square, where a Christmas Fair is taking place. The President and First Lady also visited St John’s Cathedral, the main Catholic church in Warsaw, and had dinner at the Zamek (Castle) restaurant in the Old Town.