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14.04.2025, 08:13
Andrzej Stara – 90 years of life in the service of freedom.
Sakiewicz: a model for hard times and a reason for pride
One of the Solidarity Fathers, co-founder of the Free Trade Unions of the Coast, the key character of the strike at Gdańsk Shipyard in August 1980, as well as a strong opponent of the compromise concluded with the communists at the circular Table – this is how in short it is possible to characterize Andrzej Star, a legend of the anti-communist opposition. present he celebrates his 90th birthday. – Mr Andrzej, live 150 years and rise us further generations of Poles – emphasizes ed. Tomasz Sakiewicz, head of the “GP”, “GPC” and tv Republika.
Jan Przemysłski
photo. Zbyszek Kaczmarek [Gazeta Polska] - Andrzej Stara
One of the Solidarity Fathers, co-founder of the Free Trade Unions of the Coast, the key character of the strike at Gdańsk Shipyard in August 1980, as well as a strong opponent of the compromise concluded with the communists at the circular Table – this is how in short it is possible to characterize Andrzej Star, a legend of the anti-communist opposition. present he celebrates his 90th birthday. – Mr Andrzej, live 150 years and rise us further generations of Poles – emphasizes ed. Tomasz Sakiewicz, head of the “GP”, “GPC” and tv Republika.
Jan Przemysłski
photo. Zbyszek Kaczmarek [Gazeta Polska] - Andrzej StaraAndrzej Stanisław Stara was born on 14 April 1935 in Pińczów, Świętokrzyski Province. During planet War II, in 1940–1946, he and his household stayed in exile in Kazakhstan, and after returning to his homeland he lived in Gdańsk. There he graduated from the University of Technology in the field of electronics and then worked as an assistant at the Institute of Cybernetics at Gdańsk University of Technology and as an engineer at Elmor.
Years of activity for Poland
Despite his professional career, Andrzej Stara was heavy active in opposition activities. He was an active associate in anti-communist protests in March 1968 and December 1970. In later years he collaborated with the Workers' Defence Committee – the first organized form of opposition to the communist strategy in the Polish People's Republic. However, the crucial minute was to co-found the Free Trade Unions of the Coast (WZZW), an independent labour organization established under the global labour law conventions. On 29 April 1978, together with Krzysztof Wyszkowski and Antoni Sokołowski, he signed the founding declaration of WZZW. This organization became the seed of later Solidarity.
For his activity Andrzej Stara was repeatedly imprisoned, but did not quit the fight for freedom and civilian rights. In August 1980, he played 1 of the most crucial roles in the strike at Gdańsk Shipyard. He was a associate of the Bureau of the Inter-founded Strike Committee and co-author of the historical list of 21 postulates, which was approved in August agreements.
A Model for hard Times
After martial law was introduced on 13 December 1981, he was interned and then imprisoned. He was released in July 1984, but was remanded in custody in May 1985.
During the political transition, he powerfully opposed the compromise at the circular Table and demanded the restoration of the statutory Solidarity structures. In designation of merit for free Poland, he was honored with the highest state discrimination – the Order of the White Eagle in 2006 and the Cross of Freedom and Solidarity in 2018.
– Had it not been for Andrew Star and his spouse Joanna, there would have been no Solidarity and all the revolution that she brought. This household taught younger colleagues how to fight in commune conditions. They had experience, large determination, and they had no illusions. Therefore, after 1989 they distanced themselves from the settlement with communists, due to the fact that they understood that it would not do Poland any good. But possibly the most crucial task they have done is to ignite patriotism around them; they showed how to organize themselves socially. If I were to give an example of an perfect citizen of our time, it would surely be Andrzej Stara. He has developed a actual civic attitude in respective generations
– says ed. Tomasz Sakiewicz.
– Mr Andrzej, live 150 years and rise us further generations of Poles. Your style, evidence and attitude are a model for hard times and a reason for pride in good times
– adds ed. Sakiewicz.
He was always out of the strategy and always went against the current. Benefis on the 90th birthday of Andrzej Star
14.04.2025 18:27
On 14 April 2025, the historical OSH of Gdańsk Shipyard held a ceremonial benefit on the occasion of the 90th birthday of Andrzej Stara. Maciej Kłosiński, editor-in-chief of "Tygodnik Solidarność" Michał Ossowski and Wojciech Kwidziński, manager of the Solidarity Promotion Foundation took part in the ceremony.
90th birthday of Andrzej Stara in OSH / photograph B. Michałowska
The gathering was led by historian and writer Adam Hlebowicz.
He always went against the current. He was never a part of any “system”
- said about the Jubilee.
The award was given by the manager of the Gdańsk branch by Dr Marek Szymaniak. He besides presented the biography of Andrzej Star.
It is simply a large honour for me to talk present on behalf of the Gdańsk branch of the Institute of National Memory, but besides – which I firmly believe – on behalf of all of you.
Letter from the president of Poland
The letter to the participants of the ceremony was addressed by president Andrzej Duda. Piotr Karczewski read it.
Grand Jubilee! I want to personally, but besides on behalf of the Homeland and the Rodaks to want you the best birthday wishes, but besides to express my deep gratitude for everything that you did for Poland. You're a legend. Your biography could be a résumé of another typical of the generation of unbreakable soldiers. Your courage, fortitude and self-sacrifice played a immense function erstwhile you joined the fight against evil during the repression of the communist period. How milestones are recorded in the Polish past and memory of your achievements and merits. You have become 1 of the pillars of Solidarity. In retaliation, the Communists have subjected you to various harassments. Faithful to the ideals of “Solidarity” you rejected the compromise of the circular Table and then engaged in further patriotic activities. Your voice, decisively “yes, yes, no, not” expressed in defence of the truth, and against lies and injustice always provides a clear guide to us. You are especially at the heart of the victims, the weak and the needy.
- said Andrzej Duda, reminding that for the independency activity of late president Lech Kaczyński awarded Andrzej Star with the Order of the White Eagle.
I fought the commune due to the fact that I couldn't
The anniversary was addressed to the guests.
I noticed that most résumés begin with a description of patriotic upbringing. I besides noticed that I never started out like this. Just my upbringing – which was highly patriotic – I considered completely normal. I fought the commune due to the fact that I just couldn't. erstwhile I was asked how I lasted 3 years in prison, I replied, “How could I let go?” Everything I did, I did, not alone, but in a large group. erstwhile our delegation had talks with the government here, they put force on the members of the government delegation to look at the meetings through the windows gathered around the shipbuilders. We didn't build Solidarity. It was those tens of thousands, hundreds, and as it turned out later, millions of people active in the independency activities gave us strength. If a nation unites and decides something, only a abroad army can argue it. According to the Chinese proverb, courage without cognition is dangerous. cognition without courage is useless. So, courage! due to the fact that cognition can always be gained
- appealed by Andrzej Star.
Among the guests who took the level during the ceremony were Maciej Kłosiński, deputy president of the National Commission of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Jan Józef Kasprzyk – erstwhile Head of the Office for Combatants and Represented People, advisor to the president of IPN and Bożena Bird, writer, poet, activist “S”, Polish teacher, strike associate at Gdańsk Shipyard in December 1981, as well as many anti-communist underground activists including Andrzej Kołodziej and Karol Krementowski. Adam Stęplinski – a friend of Joanna and Andrzej Starów, besides spoke.
The beneficiary was accompanied by an artistic part. Songs by Przemysław Gintrowski, Jack Wójcicki and Jack Kaczmarski were performed by Tomasz Bacajewski. Marian Benedyk accompanied him on the piano.
14.04.2025 18:27
On 14 April 2025, the historical OSH of Gdańsk Shipyard held a ceremonial benefit on the occasion of the 90th birthday of Andrzej Stara. Maciej Kłosiński, editor-in-chief of "Tygodnik Solidarność" Michał Ossowski and Wojciech Kwidziński, manager of the Solidarity Promotion Foundation took part in the ceremony.
90th birthday of Andrzej Stara in OSH / photograph B. Michałowska
The gathering was led by historian and writer Adam Hlebowicz.
He always went against the current. He was never a part of any “system”
- said about the Jubilee.
The award was given by the manager of the Gdańsk branch by Dr Marek Szymaniak. He besides presented the biography of Andrzej Star.
It is simply a large honour for me to talk present on behalf of the Gdańsk branch of the Institute of National Memory, but besides – which I firmly believe – on behalf of all of you.
Andrzej Stara is simply a hard, firm and uncompromising man.
He was born in the life of Marshal Józef Piłsudski, in free Poland. On 13 April 1940, he was sent with his household to Kazakhstan. That was the first brutal lesson in life. However, it did not break the small boy, as at the time Andrzej Stara, but toughened him, teaching him that he could – and should – face any, even the most violent reality. Kazakhstan instilled in him a love of wandering. In later life he passed not only Polish mountains, but besides Pyrenees and another European bands. During his studies, he met his future wife, Joanna. It was a very crucial minute in the life of Andrzej Star and it continues to this day
- noted Dr. Szymaniak welcoming Joanna Star.
The desire for service, not profit
The manager of the Gdańsk branch of the IPN mentioned any of the repression that Andrzej Stara suffered from communists.
Strzebielink internment, investigative detention in Białołęka, Mokotów, Zabrze...
- recalled, adding that Andrew and Joanna Stars remained consistent not only in the fight against the communist system, but besides later, in the post-communist period.
The courage of Andrzej Star was known during round-clock talks, erstwhile Andrzej Stara turned out not only to be a critic of communism, but besides of mindless capitalism
- stated the historian. He pointed out that the Star State had never been guided in their business by a desire to profit, but always by a desire to serve.
How many guests in your flat in Gdańsk Żabianka. Andrzej Stara did not live in the palace, he did not request advanced positions. His thoughts and accomplishments were never due to his desire to receive any honors. Free Poland always put first
- stressed Dr. Szymaniak.
- noted Dr. Szymaniak welcoming Joanna Star.
The desire for service, not profit
The manager of the Gdańsk branch of the IPN mentioned any of the repression that Andrzej Stara suffered from communists.
Strzebielink internment, investigative detention in Białołęka, Mokotów, Zabrze...
- recalled, adding that Andrew and Joanna Stars remained consistent not only in the fight against the communist system, but besides later, in the post-communist period.
The courage of Andrzej Star was known during round-clock talks, erstwhile Andrzej Stara turned out not only to be a critic of communism, but besides of mindless capitalism
- stated the historian. He pointed out that the Star State had never been guided in their business by a desire to profit, but always by a desire to serve.
How many guests in your flat in Gdańsk Żabianka. Andrzej Stara did not live in the palace, he did not request advanced positions. His thoughts and accomplishments were never due to his desire to receive any honors. Free Poland always put first
- stressed Dr. Szymaniak.
Letter from the president of Poland
The letter to the participants of the ceremony was addressed by president Andrzej Duda. Piotr Karczewski read it.
Grand Jubilee! I want to personally, but besides on behalf of the Homeland and the Rodaks to want you the best birthday wishes, but besides to express my deep gratitude for everything that you did for Poland. You're a legend. Your biography could be a résumé of another typical of the generation of unbreakable soldiers. Your courage, fortitude and self-sacrifice played a immense function erstwhile you joined the fight against evil during the repression of the communist period. How milestones are recorded in the Polish past and memory of your achievements and merits. You have become 1 of the pillars of Solidarity. In retaliation, the Communists have subjected you to various harassments. Faithful to the ideals of “Solidarity” you rejected the compromise of the circular Table and then engaged in further patriotic activities. Your voice, decisively “yes, yes, no, not” expressed in defence of the truth, and against lies and injustice always provides a clear guide to us. You are especially at the heart of the victims, the weak and the needy.
- said Andrzej Duda, reminding that for the independency activity of late president Lech Kaczyński awarded Andrzej Star with the Order of the White Eagle.
I fought the commune due to the fact that I couldn't
The anniversary was addressed to the guests.
I noticed that most résumés begin with a description of patriotic upbringing. I besides noticed that I never started out like this. Just my upbringing – which was highly patriotic – I considered completely normal. I fought the commune due to the fact that I just couldn't. erstwhile I was asked how I lasted 3 years in prison, I replied, “How could I let go?” Everything I did, I did, not alone, but in a large group. erstwhile our delegation had talks with the government here, they put force on the members of the government delegation to look at the meetings through the windows gathered around the shipbuilders. We didn't build Solidarity. It was those tens of thousands, hundreds, and as it turned out later, millions of people active in the independency activities gave us strength. If a nation unites and decides something, only a abroad army can argue it. According to the Chinese proverb, courage without cognition is dangerous. cognition without courage is useless. So, courage! due to the fact that cognition can always be gained
- appealed by Andrzej Star.
Among the guests who took the level during the ceremony were Maciej Kłosiński, deputy president of the National Commission of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Jan Józef Kasprzyk – erstwhile Head of the Office for Combatants and Represented People, advisor to the president of IPN and Bożena Bird, writer, poet, activist “S”, Polish teacher, strike associate at Gdańsk Shipyard in December 1981, as well as many anti-communist underground activists including Andrzej Kołodziej and Karol Krementowski. Adam Stęplinski – a friend of Joanna and Andrzej Starów, besides spoke.
The beneficiary was accompanied by an artistic part. Songs by Przemysław Gintrowski, Jack Wójcicki and Jack Kaczmarski were performed by Tomasz Bacajewski. Marian Benedyk accompanied him on the piano.
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