Photo: sadeczanin.info.
The altercation apparently ended in a brawl, and damage was caused to the wedding party's car, but neither side has agreed to file an official complaint with the police.
“Our hands are tied,” said police spokesman Mariusz Ciarka.
Guests in the car told local press outlets that the incident followed a pattern, and that wedding presents were apparently 'stolen' from other wedding parties in the area in recent weeks.
Nevertheless, Roma witnesses have stressed that they had been taking part in a time-honoured wedding custom in which the groom is obliged to offer vodka and make toasts with bystanders who greet revellers.
This weekend's incident ended in blows.
“An adult gypsy (sic) was sitting by the road, surrounded by children,” one wedding guest told local information web site sadeczanin.info.
“When the car appeared with the bridegroom, he [the Roma man] stopped him, and a child lay down under the wheels of the car.”
The man asked for vodka, and then allegedly called on the bridegroom to open the boot of the car, where wedding presents were being kept.
“The host didn't want to open the boot,” another guest said.
“He was afraid, because every week such incidents occur there.
“Last week, at another wedding, the Gypsies opened the boot and stole everything that was there,” she claimed.
Guests complained that police were slow to appear, but spokesman Mariusz Ciarka denied this.
Last month a festival of Roma culture promoting tolerance was held in Krakow, southern Poland, and the event drew peaceful crowds.
However, the region has seen tensions over the last twelve months, most notably in the southern town of Andrychow, where some ethnic Poles have called for the eviction of the Roma minority. (nh)
Source: IAR