Honouring the People of “Solidarity”

“Solidarity opened the gates to freedom in countries enslaved by the totalitarian system, brought down the Berlin Wall and contributed to the reunification of Europe. We must never allow this to fade from our memory,” said St John Paul II, patron saint of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, three decades ago in Sopot. On the 46th anniversary of the signing of the August Agreements, the regional government honoured those who helped build the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity” in the region. On Friday (28 August), Marshal Piotr Całbecki met with trade union activists in Przysiek.

“The August Agreements marked a turning point. ‘Solidarity’ united people around shared values and the desire for freedom. To this day, they remain an important part of our common history,” emphasises Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

In Przysiek, the Marshal presented the Gold Medals Unitas Durat Palatinatus Ciuaviano-Pomeraniensis to 41 activists of the anti-communist opposition. A further 16 people were honoured posthumously. List of those honoured

The first of this year’s commemorative events took place in Grudziądz on 22 August.

Further events will take place in Bydgoszcz, Toruń, Włocławek and Inowrocław.

The programme includes ceremonies at plaques and monuments commemorating Solidarity activists, Holy Masses for Poland and the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity”, the laying of flowers and candles, speeches and a ceremonial gala during which the “Solidarity Medals” will be presented.

The detailed programme of the commemorations is available on the event poster.

The signing of the August Agreements in the summer of 1980 paved the way for the registration of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity”, which became one of the most important centres of democratic opposition to the authorities of the Polish People’s Republic in the 1980s.

Beata Krzemińska
Spokesperson for the Marshal’s Office

28 August 2026
Last updated: 30 August 2026