National Independence Day celebrations
On the occasion of the 107th anniversary of Poland’s regaining independence, the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, and His Spouse, Marta Nawrocka, took part in the National Independence Day celebrations.
The main celebrations began at noon in Marshal Józef Piłsudski Square. In front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a ceremonial changing of the guard took place. During this ceremony, which was attended by the highest state authorities, the national flag was raised, and the national anthem was sung and played. The Roll Call of Remembrance was read out and a national salute of 21 cannon salvos was fired.
In his speech, President Karol Nawrocki emphasised that we can celebrate our freedom today thanks to the Fathers of Independence. Despite their differences, they wanted independence for all Poles, and they did not disappoint the five generations who contributed to achieving it.
'The beauty of 11 November 1918 lies in the fact that it was a time of great celebration, resulting from the efforts of many generations and the Fathers of our Independence. However, the independence that was achieved then brought not only great joy, but also an immense responsibility,” he said.
The President pointed out that independence also means having the ability to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the present day. 'We are ready for Poland to become an energy and gas hub for Central and Eastern Europe alongside our American partners. Independence also means seizing opportunities for our children, because we are building a free and independent Poland for them,” he emphasised.
During the ceremony, President Karol Nawrocki promoted generals in the Polish Armed Forces, the Police, the Border Guard and the State Fire Service. At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the President and representatives of the state authorities laid a wreath on behalf of the Nation.
In the afternoon, President Nawrocki took part in the Independence March through the streets of Warsaw. This year's march was held under the slogan 'One nation, a strong Poland'.
Earlier, a ceremony of awarding state decorations was held at the Presidential Palace. Waldemar Łysiak and Andrzej Poczobut were awarded the Order of the White Eagle. Meanwhile, the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta was awarded to Przemysław Babiarz and Konrad Banaszek, while Sławosz Uznański–Wiśniewski and Adam Woronowicz received the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.
Karol Nawrocki underscored that „today is 11 November, the 107th anniversary of Poland's regaining independence, the most beautiful day in the Polish historical calendar. Five generations of Poles worked to lay the foundations for our free, independent, sovereign Republic”.
He added that today's awards honour the most outstanding citizens, whose lives, work, voices, learning, achievements and acting skills give Poles great pride.
The celebrations began in the morning with the laying of wreaths at the monuments to the Fathers of Independence: Wincenty Witos, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Ignacy Daszyński, Roman Dmowski, Wojciech Korfanty and Marshal Józef Piłsudski.
At the Temple of Divine Providence, the Presidential Couple attended a Holy Mass for the Homeland. The liturgy was presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Warsaw, Adrian Galbas.
