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

With the participation of members of the regional self-government led by Marshal Piotr Całbecki, President of the Regional Parliament Elżbieta Piniewska, regional councillors, parliamentarians, representatives of the central government, local governments, clergy, uniformed services, and universities, a Ceremonial Session of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Regional Parliament took place today (June 9) at the Marshal’s Office.

 

The celebrations on Monday began with a Holy Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist in Toruń, presided over by the Bishop of Toruń, Arkadiusz Okroj.

 

“We look with gratitude and appreciation at those who, 35 years ago, believing that a fair division of power between the authorities and society is the foundation of a strong and democratic Poland, introduced the self-government reform. It was one of the most successful reforms after 1989. Thanks to it, citizens gained influence over shaping their immediate surroundings. Self-governments that work close to the residents, that know their needs, can act quickly, efficiently, and effectively — as we have seen during various crises,” emphasized the President of the Regional Parliament, Elżbieta Piniewska. “Good self-governments understand that the future begins today, because, as Einstein said, ‘We should live for today in order to have hope for tomorrow.’”

 

“Today, self-government celebrates the 35th anniversary of its establishment. This first fully democratically elected authority after the fall of the Polish People’s Republic truly performed a miracle,” said Marshal Piotr Całbecki in his speech. “From the ruins, it rebuilt public trust in government in order to harness the potential of citizens—residents of towns and villages—to rebuild their local communities. Today, these local communities together form the image of a Poland that is both united and prosperous. Ultimately, self-government has proven to be the guarantor of our development and—most importantly—the foundation of our national identity, a treasury of cultural heritage, and the heart of education and the upbringing of future generations of Poles.”

 

Guests at Monday’s session included centenarian residents of the region – elders honored with the Marshal’s Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis medal: Czesław Romankiewicz from Toruń, Irena Krasińska from Rachcin (Lipno County), Józef Dalecki from Bydgoszcz, Kunegunda Gajewska from Kruszyn in Bydgoszcz County, and Regina Ostrowska from Toruń.

 

“Standing before you, in the face of your experience of Poland in such difficult times, we want to express our generation’s gratitude for your faith in Poland – for your love of the homeland, for your life’s efforts, and for your prayers for the country,” said the Marshal of the Region addressing the elders. “Let us all wish that this meeting be a symbolic expression of reconciliation, care, and our continued commitment to the development of a strong and just Poland. Plurimos Annos – many more years to you, in health and surrounded by the love of your families!”

 

This year we are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the rebirth of self-government in Poland. During the Ceremonial Session of the Regional Parliament, self-government officials who have served continuously in public office for 35 years were honored for their contributions to the local and regional community. For his many years of service to self-government, to the residents of Świecie as the city’s mayor, and to the region as a Regional Councillor, Tadeusz Pogoda received the ceremonial Speaker’s Mace from the President of the Regional Parliament.

 

The year 2025 has been declared in our region as the Year of Kujawsko-Pomorskie People of Science and the Year of Children and Youth of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region. These two patronages formed the guiding theme of today’s ceremony.

 

For outstanding scientific achievements and contributions to improving educational and social conditions within our regional community, silver Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis medals were awarded to academics representing the region’s leading academic centers:

• Prof. Ryszard Gerlach, Faculty of Pedagogy, Casimir the Great University in Bydgoszcz
• Prof. Beata Przyborowska, Institute of Pedagogical Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń

 

For his exceptional achievements in educating the younger generation, Honorary Professor of Education Waldemar Wąśniewski, a teacher at Maria Konopnicka II High School in Inowrocław, was honored. He delivered a lecture titled “On Working with Gifted Students” to those gathered.

 

For their high quality of education and commitment to providing open, civic-minded, and future-focused learning, contributing to a better future for the region, the Speaker’s Mace was awarded to:

• Dr. Beata Trapnell-Sobolewska, Director of the Academic High School in Toruń
• Marcin Chabowski, Director of Technical High School of Electronics No. 7 in Bydgoszcz
• Małgorzata Bisaga, Director of the I High School of the Land of Kujawy in Włocławek

 

Awards for outstanding scholarship recipients were given to:

• Winners of the “Primus of Kujawy and Pomorze Plus,” “Primus of Kujawy and Pomorze II,” and “Professional Talents” programs – Szymon Wiliński (Jan Kasprowicz I High School after in Inowrocław), Filip Osiński (Primary School No. 3 in Nakło nad Notecią), Wojciech Szymański (Technical High School of Electronics No. 7 in Bydgoszcz), Bartłomiej Sandecki (Academic High School in Toruń), and Mateusz Stępniewski (Salesian Society Primary School in Toruń)
• Winners of the national “Exempt from Theory” competition – Jakub Jagielski, Aleksandra Haśkiewicz, Joachim Wiczyński, Maja Chojniak, and Amelia Gajewska from the I High School of the Land of Kujawy in Włocławek, for the project “Checkmate,” supervised by Tatiana Glapiak
• Małgorzata Manthey, scholarship recipient of the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region in the field of culture, student of the Arthur Rubinstein National Music School Complex in Bydgoszcz
• Zofia Więcławska, athlete of the Sports and Tourism Club “Włókniarz Chełmża”

 

The official celebrations were accompanied by musical performances by Małgorzata Manthey from the Arthur Rubinstein National Music School Complex in Bydgoszcz.

 

At the Ethnographic Museum, the gathered guests planted a papal oak, symbolizing the 35th anniversary of the rebirth of self-government in Poland.

 

The Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region Day, established in 2008, is celebrated on June 7, marking the anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s pilgrimage to Kujawy and Pomorze. The Pope visited the region twice: on June 6–7, 1991, in Włocławek, and on June 7, 1999, in Bydgoszcz and Toruń.

 

The Ceremonial Session of the Regional Parliament, commemorating the Pope’s visits to Kujawy and Pomorze, takes place annually in one of the three capitals of the former voivodeships – Bydgoskie, Toruńskie, and Włocławskie Voivodeships – that together form the present-day Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region. Last year, the session took place in Bydgoszcz, and two years ago in Włocławek.

 

Region Day also includes accompanying events. Until June 15, music, dance, and festivities will be taking place throughout the region. The program includes concerts, workshops, shows, a hot air balloon fiesta, and much more.

 

Office of the Regional Parliament
& Press Office of the Marshal’s Office

June 4, 2025
Last updated: June 9, 2025