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Poland celebrates independence centennial

PR dla Zagranicy
Victoria Bieniek 11.11.2018 08:30
Top Polish officials were taking part in day-long events on Sunday as Poland marked a century of regained independence after a more than 120-year absence from the map of Europe.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw.The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw.Wikimedia Commons/Alina Zienowicz Ala

Ahead of the ceremonies, President Andrzej Duda said Independence Day in Poland would be marked with "pride and joy".

Meanwhile, in an address to Poles, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that Poland could be proud of having passed during its troubled history "the test of humanity, sacrifice and solidarity."

He added that Poles should unite, and commit to making their country stronger and happier.

The prime minister and president were set to join other top officials on Sunday in laying wreaths at the grave of Ryszard Kaczorowski, Poland's last president-in-exile, and at monuments to Józef Piłsudski, Wincenty Witos, Roman Dmowski and Ignacy Paderewski, statesmen, leaders and fathers of Polish independence.

Officials were to take part in a Catholic Mass dedicated to Poland's regained independence and in a special changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw.

The day's events were to culminate in what has been called a White-and-Red March, a parade through the streets of Warsaw organised by Polish officials which the public has been invited to attend.

The Polish president was scheduled to give a number of speeches throughout the day.

Other events commemorating the day include an annual 10-kilometre run. A record 20,000 people have signed up to take part in the event this year, and all runners have been issued either white or red jerseys and will form a giant Polish flag at the starting line.

The Polish parliament will be open for visitors on Sunday.

An Independence Festival will be held across three stages in the Polish capital featuring concerts and dance performances.

Special concerts and other events will be taking place across Poland and around the world.

Poles have been gearing up for the anniversary for months, with schools in Poland and those catering to the Polish diaspora abroad organising exhibitions and performances, and embassies around the world also holding events.

The Polish embassy in Athens has fitted out Polish participants in the Athens Marathon on Sunday with commemorative jerseys, while a school near the embassy in Washington staged a patriotic performance.

On Saturday in Warsaw, 40,000 people attended a concert at the National Stadium, where folk artists and pop stars performed Polish music from throughout the last century. The concert culminated with a performance of the Polish National Anthem.

On November 11 in 1918 – the same day as an armistice was signed to end WWI – Polish statesman Józef Piłsudski arrived in Warsaw after being held prisoner in Germany and announced Poland's independence after more than 120 years of partitions and foreign rule. (vb/pk)

Source: prezydent.pl, premier.pl, IAR

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