Anniversary of 1918 uprising marked in western Poland
PR dla Zagranicy
Alicja Baczyńska
27.12.2017 14:29
A presidential letter marking the 99th anniversary of the 1918 Greater Poland Uprising was read out during commemorations held in the western city of Poznań on Wednesday.
Observances commemorating the 99th anniversary of the Greater Poland Uprising were held at the foot of the Greater Poland Insurgents' Monument in Poznań. Photo: PAP/Marek Zakrzewski
“When in 1918 Poland was being reborn, no one could imagine our homeland without Wielkopolska (Greater Poland),” President Andrzej Duda wrote in the message addressed to the attendees of the ceremony, which was held at the foot of a monument to the Greater Poland Insurgents.
The letter was read out by presidential aide Andrzej Dera.
“I would like to express my appreciation and joy over the fact that the Polish community celebrates its heroes with due respect,” Duda wrote. “I am convinced that the values and practices passed on from one generation to another in Poznań and the Greater Poland region through the ages are particularly important and precious for our entire nation,” Duda added.
The uprising erupted on December 27, 1918, after the region's German authorities opposed a visit to Poznań by Polish pianist and independence activist Ignacy Paderewski.
The insurgents demanded the release of Prussian-occupied Polish land as the country regained its independence after 123 years of foreign rule.
Fighting throughout the Greater Poland region continued until January 1919.
The Greater Poland Uprising was one of just a few Polish insurgencies that ended in victory for the country. (aba/gs)
Source: PAP