
In PRL (Polish People's Republic) times, the date was moved to 22 July to honour the day the PKWN Manifesto (a document that basically asserted communist authority over Poland) was issued in 1944. In 1989 after communism fell, the holiday was restored to its original 11 November date.
Polish Independence Day in Warsaw
To mark the occasion every year in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Pl. Piłsudskiego in Warsaw there’s the official Changing of the Guard with all the big wigs, president, prime minister and top brass in attendance. Outside of the capital, cities all over the country hold their own parades as well.
The official state aspect of the day's proceedings tends to be a well-attended balance of celebratory and slightly sombre events. Unfortunately, however, recent years have seen the occasion co-opted by far-right political groups, who organise their own rallies and marches in the capital, sometimes leading to clashes with the police and counter protestors. Although Independence Day events in Warsaw made the international press in 2017 for all the wrong reasons, the 100th anniversary of Polish independence - celebrated the following year in 2018 - was a bit more unifying and things were further calmed down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Regardless of what happens this year, you can bet that there will be a lot of people from all political spectrums celebrating, waving flags and setting off flares on Poland's Independence Day!
Comments