INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

On the night of December 12-13, 1981, martial law was introduced in Poland to defend the communist regime of the People’s Republic of Poland. As is tradition, Marshal Piotr Całbecki laid flowers at 11:45 PM on December 12 beneath the plaque commemorating Toruń’s patriotic demonstration of 1982. Regional commemorations of the 43rd Anniversary of those events are being held in Bydgoszcz, Toruń, Włocławek, Chełmno, Chełmża (Toruń County), and Potulice (Nakło County).

“Thank you for Poland, for the courage of the people of Solidarity! Remembering those events helps us appreciate the path we traveled before joining a united Europe better” said Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

The Toruń celebrations began on Thursday evening (December 12) with the “Night Patrol” concert at the Jordanki Cultural and Congress Center. Performers included Kasia Moś, Mateusz Ziółko, and Capella Bydgostiensis. That evening, the President of the Regional Parliament Elżbieta Piniewska and Vice-Marshal Dariusz Kurzawa laid wreaths at the Piotr Bartoszcze monument in Inowrocław. In Chełmno, flowers were placed at the Monument of Memory and Gratitude.

This morning (December 13), Vice-Marshal Zbigniew Ostrowski laid flowers at a plaque in the Potulice prison, commemorating the internment of union activists and anti-communist democratic opposition members during martial law.

In Bydgoszcz, today’s ceremonies will commence with a floral tribute at the Monument to the Heroes of Solidarity. A mass for the homeland will then be held at St. Andrew Bobola Church. During a meeting at the Voivode Office, distinguished activists of the underground anti-communist opposition will be honored with the Solidarity Medal of Merit for the Region.

In Toruń, today’s events include ceremonies at the plaque commemorating the farmers’ strike organized by the Solidarity of Individual Farmers at the former Sugar Factory building, followed by tributes at the plaque dedicated to anti-communist opposition activists imprisoned in the detention center. The day will conclude with a 7 PM mass for the homeland and the victims of martial law at the Holy Spirit Church on the Old Town Square.

In Włocławek, the ceremonies will open with floral tributes at a plaque commemorating Solidarity and independence organization activists who were interned and imprisoned at the Mielęcin prison. A holy mass for the homeland and those repressed during martial law will follow at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral Basilica. The Włocławek commemorations will conclude with floral tributes at a plaque honoring persecuted Solidarity activists. The regional government will be represented by board member Marek Wojtkowski.

Beata Krzeminska

Spokesperson for the Marshal’s Office

December 13, 2023.