Independence Day: Duda hard about the EU, Tusk calls for unity

Polonia celebrated the National independency Day in many European countries with patriotic celebrations, singing the anthem together, and moving independence. The participants stressed the memory of past and the request to keep unity to face the current challenges.PAP

Poland celebrated the 107th anniversary of regaining independency with state ceremonies in Warsaw, mass March of independency and celebrations of Polish communities around the world. However, the festival revealed political tensions, seen in the reactions of the crowd and contrasting speeches of the leaders.

In the central ceremonies at Piłsudski Square in Warsaw, president Andrzej Duda presented general promotions and state distinctions. Prime Minister Donald Tusk selected celebrations in Gdańsk, highlighting the request for unity in his speech. The organizers estimation that 250-300 1000 people participated in the Capital March of Independence.

Political divisions at ceremonies

Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Minister Marcin Kierwiński were booed by any of the people gathered during the awards. Kosiniak-Kamish referred to the incidental by saying, «The scream, the whistle did not give freedom. This work, prayer in shrines from Częstochowa to Gietrzwald, where the first spark went». He added that “we stand together today, even though we have different views, planet views, we vote differently”.

In his speech, president Duda powerfully attacked any politicians, saying that «part of Polish politicians are ready to give Polish freedom, independency and sovereignty to abroad institutions, tribunals, abroad agendas of the European Union». He declared: «The president of Poland will never let us to become a peacock and a parrot of the nations again, freely repeating what comes from the West».

Tusk about unity in Gdańsk

In Gdańsk Prime Minister Donald Tusk presented a different accent, saying: «Patriotism is never 1 Pole against another Pole. Patriotism is always a Pole with a Pole». He besides stated that “no 1 has a monopoly on patriotism” and called for the celebration of independency to be “a celebration of joy, pride, unity from the Baltic to the Tatras, from the Bug to the Oder”.

After the celebrations, Tusk posted an entry on platform X: "In Gdańsk it was about unity and joy. Not everywhere reached" - which was perceived as a commentary on the atmosphere in Warsaw.

The Church’s Voice and global Celebrations

The Polish Primate Archbishop Wojciech Polak in a homily in Gniezno called for unity, saying that «the only way is solidarity, national consent and average human brotherhood». He stressed that no good is absolute and can be lost.

Polish communities around the planet celebrated the festival with many events. In Paris, Ambassador Jan Emeryk Ruściszewski told PAP: «This is simply a day that shows that we must face all challenges together, fight together to keep Polish independency and for Polish prosperity». Concerts, parades and celebrations at the memorials of Józef Piłsudski were held in Rome, Stockholm, Budapest and Berlin.

The IRCenter survey conducted in September shows that for 78 percent of Poles patriotism means participation in elections and for 77 percent - affirmative representation of the country abroad.

Note: This article was created utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI).