Turn off the System Festival marks Poland's Freedom Day

The event takes place on the anniversary of the country's first democratic elections, which paved the way to the fall of communism in 1989.

The festival's organisers, the History Meeting House (DSH), will mark the occasion with a series of concerts, an interactive photo exhibition and a debate attended by communist-era opposition activists.

"1989 was a milestone in Poland's history," Piotr Jakubowski, the head of DSH, says. The partially free elections, which gave a landslide victory to the candidates of the pro-democratic Solidarity movement, "render 4 June a symbolic turning point for Poland which shifted from communist dictatorship to liberty," he said.

"I have no doubt that 4 June 1989 is one of the key historic events for Poland. We do not have many festive anniversaries, which is why I am pleased to invite everyone to join the celebration," Jakubowski said ahead of the event.

The commemorations open with a panel debate on the events of the 1980s that ultimately led to the toppling of the communist regime. Solidarity activists of the time are to take part, including former Senate Speaker Bogdan Borusewicz, Zbigniew Bujak, historian Karol Modzelewski and former MEP and Defence Minister Janusz Onyszkiewicz.

The main festivities are to be held in the evening, by the Palace of Culture, where artists such as Maciej Maleńczuk, Voo Voo and Katarzyna Nosowska are billed to perform. (aba)

Source: PAP