PL | EN

Celebrating 30 years of Freedom in Gdańsk

2019-06-06

Lech Wałęsa took part in the Freedom and Solidarity Festival in Gdańsk on the 30th anniversary of partially free elections which opened the way to the final victory over the communist regime in Poland. Having attended on the 3rd of June the premiere of the book “Lech, Leszek. To win freedom”, the next day President, after signing the “Declaration of Freedom and Solidarity” and taking part in a short press conference, made a speech at the Long Market in Gdańsk.

On Monday President was present at the premiere of „Lech, Leszek. To win freedom”. The publication is a conversation between Lech Wałęsa, Leszek Balcerowicz and Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska and presents the history of Polish political and economic transformation from the perspective of its authors, revealing many unknown facts. During the meeting in the Social Zone by the European Solidarity Centre co-authors of the book were answering the questions of Agata Stremecka, the president of the Civil Development Forum, who moderated the discussion, as well as questions from the public. The book, published by Wydawnictwo Znak in cooperation with TVN24, is available in the bookstores.

On June 4, on the 30th anniversary of the 1989 elections, Lech Wałęsa, along with other prominent personalities, signed the “Declaration of Freedom and Solidarity” at the symbolic Round Table by the European Solidarity Centre building. President also took part in a press conference in the Hall of Temporary Exhibitions during which he spoke about the challenges for democracy, caused by the  ongoing globalisation and lack of civic engagement. Having mentioned the geopolitical factors which enabled the great victory of Solidarity, he asked the public not to lose determination in this hard for democracy and freedom times, stressing that at the time of the fight with the communist regime the collapse of the Soviet Union seemed to be impossible.

In the evening President attended the demonstration at the Long Market where he made a speech, speaking about the need of a generational change in politics – “Our generation completed the half of the task, the other half is to be completed by next generations”.

Contact