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

He took part in the events of the Bydgoszcz March of 1981, co-founded the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity” of Individual Farmers (NSZZ Solidarność RI), printed and distributed underground press, and was interned and surveilled by the communist political police. At the Saturday (7 February) ceremonies marking the 42nd anniversary of the tragic death of Piotr Bartoszcze, held in Radłówek and Inowrocław, the regional self-government was represented by Elżbieta Piniewska, President of the Regional Parliament, and Dariusz Kurzawa, Member of the Regional Board.

“For his struggle for an identity rooted in fidelity to values, for his desire for freedom, he paid the highest price. The figure of Piotr Bartoszcze is a signpost and an inspiration—especially today, when the world brings so many threats and uncertainties,” emphasized Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

The anniversary commemorations began in Radłówek (Inowrocław County) and continued in Inowrocław. Programme of the ceremonies.

Piotr Bartoszcze was born on 14 April 1950 in Jaroszewice (Lublin County). In 1964, his family settled in Sławęcin near Inowrocław. After the signing of the August Agreements of 1980, Piotr Bartoszcze, his father Michał, and his brother Roman became involved in the Solidarity movement. They joined the activities of farmers’ trade unions and took part in the Bydgoszcz farmers’ strike in March 1981. Bartoszcze printed and distributed the underground agricultural Solidarity magazine “Żywią i Bronią” (“They Feed and Defend”). He was murdered on the night of 7–8 February 1984.

The investigation conducted at the time was discontinued, concluding that Bartoszcze had died as a result of an accident. From the outset, these findings raised objections from his family and democratic opposition activists. Only during a third investigation, carried out by the investigative division of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), was it established that Piotr Bartoszcze had most likely been killed by officers of the communist political police. He was posthumously awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta and the Cross of Freedom and Solidarity.

In November 2025, the Regional Assembly adopted a Resolution on establishing 2026 as the Year of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union of Individual Farmers “Solidarity” and the Bydgoszcz March ’81 in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship.

Press Office of the Marshal’s Office
5 February 2026
Last updated: 9 February 2026