Matki Bozej Królowej Świata (A Gift from the Philippines to Poland)
On 29 October 1995, in the village of Domacyno in Karlino district, the figure of the Holy Mother, Queen of the World was ceremonially consecrated. The statue had been brought from the Philippines and was a token of respect and admiration for the Polish Pope John Paul II on the occasion of his visit to that country in 1995. The ceremony was attended by Cardinal Ricardo Vidal of the Philippines, who dedicated the figure in the presence of the archbishop of the Szczecin-Kamien Archdiocese of the Bishops of Koszalin. The statue is the work of the world-famous Philippine artist Eduardo Castrillo and is the tallest such figure in Poland. The gift was arranged by Mr Stefan Masternak, who once lived in Australia, has a Filipina wife, and now lives in Domacyno.
On 10 September 2000 this was the venue for the start of the ninth Papal Run, held for the first time in Karlino. This continued the tradition of a sporting event held in Koszalin every year since 1992, commemorating the anniversary of the June visit of Pope John Paul II to the Koszalin area. The race attracted 115 runners from all over Poland, including leading Polish athletes. The event attracted a great deal of interest, and will continue to be held each year, taking on international dimensions. In the future a hostel will be built on the land next to the statue, providing rooms for pilgrims to spend the night.
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