President launches centenary of Polish independence celebrations
PR dla Zagranicy
Victoria Bieniek
05.12.2017 15:59
Polish President Andrzej Duda has addressed parliament to inaugurate year-long celebrations to mark 100 years since Poland regained its independence.
Prezydent Andrzej DudaFoto: prezydent.pl
The address to both houses of parliament, which was attended also by military top brass, police, members of European Parliament and other officials, coincided with the 150th birth anniversary of statesman Józef Piłsudski who was dubbed the architect of Polish independence.
On 11 November, 1918, Piłsudski arrived in Warsaw after being held prisoner in Germany during World War One, announcing Polish independence on the same day that the armistice to end the Great War was signed, paving the way for Poland to return to the map of Europe after more than 120 years of partitions and foreign rule.
As the centenary of Polish independence celebrations were inaugurated, Duda told Poles to rid themselves of a feeling of "uncertainty" about their country's sovereignty and strength.