In Szczecin there are runs and a bicycle rally, in Wrocław there is a procession of colors and a ride of historic vehicles, and in Gdańsk there is a parade with the participation of reconstruction groups. Today, Poland celebrates the 105th anniversary of regaining independence.
In Szczecin, the organizers of the ceremony have prepared many attractions for the participants. Planned, among others: displays of military equipment on Wały Chrobrego, singing patriotic songs together in Nadratowski Park, family workshops and film screenings in the former “Delfin” cinema, runs and a bicycle rally.
The cyclists set off around 10:30 from Women’s Rights Square and traditionally had to ride about 11 kilometers through the streets of Szczecin. Families with children take part in it. – Nice event, nice people, I come there almost every year – said one of the rally participants on TVN24.
Szczecin. Bicycle rally through the city streets on Independence Day
Independence Parade in Gdańsk
The parade started around 10:30. Then the bell ringers of the confraternity of the church of St. Catherine, they manually set in motion the heart of the “Peace and Reconciliation” bell weighing almost 2.5 tons.
The parade participants walked in a circular route through the entire Old and Main Town along the following streets: Podwale Staromieskie, Podmłyńska, Rajska, Heweliusza, Korzenna, Kowalska and Targ Drzewny. And then: Holy Spirit, Kołodziejska, Tkacka, from which they entered Długa and went to Długi Targ. They sang the National Anthem at the Green Gate and took a family photo.
In addition to individual participants, the ceremonial march through Gdańsk was attended by reenactment groups recreating historical military formations, music and dance bands, clubs of vintage car collectors, schools, scout organizations, sports clubs and many other organizations.
At the end of the parade, at 1:15 p.m., a carillon concert will be played from the tower of the Main Town Hall. The musicians will perform the Dąbrowski Mazurka, patriotic songs, works by Stanisław Moniuszko and Fryderyk Chopin, and traditional Gdańsk music.
Gdańsk. The Independence Parade marches through the streets of the city TVN24
A colorful procession on the streets of Wrocław
At 10 a.m., the Joyful Independence Parade set off from Freedom Square. Historic vehicles were opened – including: Zbigniew Brzeziński’s car and the “Ogórek” bus, a symbol of the “Solidarity” strikes of 1980. Youth dominated among the participants, because every year Wrocław schools are involved in organizing the event.
“It is something that has a very great value, because we invite young people to celebrate regaining independence on November 11, but also to unleash their creativity. So that they associate this holiday with something colorful, beautiful, celebrating together. This is of the greatest value , as well as the fact that for several years we have been trying to invite all Wrocław residents to this parade,” Dr. Andrzej Jerie, director of the “Memory and Future” Center in Wrocław, told PAP.
The parade passed along the street. Krupnicza to pl. Legionów, and then along ul. Grabiszyńska to the Zajezdnia History Center.
“About seven thousand participants took part in this year’s Joyful Independence Parade. At noon sharp, we all sang the national anthem together,” Adam Pacześniak, spokesman for the Zajezdnia History Center, told PAP.
During the march, police officers temporarily suspended traffic. There were no incidents during the parade.
Independence Day celebrations in Wrocław started early in the morning. The flag-raising ceremony began sharply at 8 a.m. in front of the Wrocław City Hall. The ceremony was attended by the mayor of Wrocław, Jacek Sutryk, assisted by city councilors, city guards and scouts. Later, the president met the veterans.
Main photo source: PAP/Andrzej Jackowski