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

In communist Poland, the Niezależne Zrzeszenie Studentów (NZS) fought for Poland’s independence and respect for civil rights, organised student strikes, rallies and meetings, and served as a censorship-free platform for the exchange of views. Since 1989, it has been working for the student community. On Friday (20 February) in Toruń, celebrations marking the 45th anniversary of the union’s registration were held, attended by Marshal Piotr Całbecki and President of the Regional Parliament Elżbieta Piniewska.

“Today we remember all those involved in underground publishing activity, the thousands of anonymous participants in the struggle for the autonomy of Polish higher education, and the participants of student strikes. Among others, it was they who rebuilt a free Poland,” said Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

The 45th anniversary ceremonies took place in front of the Marshal’s Office and at the Regional Public Library and Copernicus Library in Toruń. Senator Ryszard Brejza also took part.

Participants laid a symbolic wreath at the plaque commemorating the 1981 student strike, embedded ten years ago in the façade of the Marshal’s Office.

An exhibition devoted to NZS, prepared by the Bydgoszcz delegation of the Instytut Pamięci Narodowej (IPN), was opened in the square in front of the office. Twenty panels present archival photographs, documents and extensive information on the origins and activities of NZS in the 1980s.

At the Copernicus Library, a lecture on NZS activity at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń was delivered by Dr hab. Przemysław Olstowski. The event was accompanied by an exhibition of publications and exhibits related to the Independent Students’ Association.

During Friday’s celebrations, tribute was paid to the late General Zbigniew Nowek, who died in 2019 – the first chairman of NZS at UMK, co-organiser of the February 1981 student strike and co-creator of Poland’s special services after 1990.

Room 208 in the Marshal’s Office has borne the name of Gen. Zbigniew Nowek since 2019. He was actively involved in commemorating events related to the democratic opposition and served on the Chapter of the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region Medal Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis. He himself was also awarded this distinction in recognition of his merits in the struggle for the independence of the Republic of Poland and for human rights.

The NZS was established in September 1980 as a result of the August workers’ strikes. It brought together young people who sought a student organisation independent of the state authorities. At the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń it was founded on 17 September 1980, and at the then Akademia Techniczno-Rolnicza w Bydgoszczy on 16 October 1980. Independent student movements were also formed at the Higher School of Pedagogy, the State Higher School of Music in Bydgoszcz and the Bydgoszcz branch of the Medical Academy in Gdańsk.

Beata Krzemińska
Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office

20 February 2026
Last updated: 21 February 2026