According to estimates of Polish consular services, there are around 600 thousand persons in the Russian Federation who acknowledge Polish origin. In Russia as a whole there are 40 Polish cultural-educational societies, which seven years ago were gathered in the Congress of Poles. Their activity consists in investigating the history of displaced persons, teaching Polish and preserving memory of places connected with the fate of Poles and promoting Polish culture.
Poles are very visible, and their organisations are very active.
Regarded as one of the most important accomplishments of Polish organisations in Saint Petersburg is the city authorities' consent to expand the teaching of Polish in five secondary schools. One of them will have Adam Mickiewicz as its patron. A Polish language school was also set up in the consulate. Enrolees are divided into age groups. The renascent Catholic Church also fosters the cultivation of Polish culture and tradition.