Many people wonder what is the holiday in Poland on the 11th of November?
National Day of Independence of Poland
Święto Niepodległości is celebrated annually on 11 November to commemorate the restoration of Polish independence in 1918.
It was on that day, 11 November 1918, that the Council of Regents, "in view of the threatening external and internal danger, in order to unify all military orders and maintain order in the country", transferred military power and supreme command of the Polish forces to Brigadier Jozef Piłsudski. 123 years later, the Polish people gained their independence. This was a long-awaited event that had been awaited since the third dissolution of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (from 1795 to 1918).
The 11 November holiday was first established by a law of 23 April 1937, but was soon abolished by the National Council on 22 July 1945. It was only in 1989 that the Independence Day returned to the Polish calendar and became a non-working day.
How does Święto Niepodległości take place in Poland?
Every year 11 November is celebrated in Poland in a very solemn way. Almost every public building and private house is decorated with a flag. Special parades and concerts are held in the main streets of big cities. In squares, patriotic songs are sung and historical plays are performed.
Wrocław residents traditionally meet in the city centre for the Independence Parade. It is customary to pay tribute to the heroes of the struggle for the country's sovereignty.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions, we will not be able to enjoy the festivities to the fullest.
But this does not mean that the holiday is cancelled. This day in Wrocław will be held under the slogan #WrocławDlaNiepodległej
The Independence Tramway (Tramwaj Niepodległości) will run through the city
At 9am the President of Wroclaw (Jacek Sutryk) together with the President of the City Council (Jarosław Charłampowicz) will solemnly hoist the Polish flag in front of the Town Hall (9 Sukonnye Ryady).
And at noon sharp, all Poles, regardless of their city of residence, are invited to join the nationwide online campaign "Niepodległa do hymnu" and sing together the hymn "Mazurek Dąbrowskiego".
Join us and you will too!
Lyrics of the anthem of the Polish Republic ("Mazurek Dąbrowskiego"):
Jeszcze Polska nie zginęła,
Kiedy my żyjemy.
Co nam obca przemoc wzięła,
Szablą odbierzemy.
⠀
Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski,
Z ziemi włoskiej do Polski.
Za twoim przewodem
Złączym się z narodem.
⠀
Przejdziem Wisłę, przejdziem Wartę,
Będziem Polakami.
Dał nam przykład Bonaparte,
Jak zwyciężać mamy.
⠀
Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski,
Z ziemi włoskiej do Polski.
Za twoim przewodem
Złączym się z narodem.
⠀
Jak Czarniecki do Poznania
Po szwedzkim zaborze,
Dla ojczyzny ratowania
Wrócim się przez morze.
⠀
Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski,
Z ziemi włoskiej do Polski.
Za twoim przewodem
Złączym się z narodem.
⠀
Już tam ojciec do swej Basi
Mówi zapłakany -
Słuchaj jeno, pono nasi
Biją w tarabany.
⠀
Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski,
Z ziemi włoskiej do Polski.
Za twoim przewodem
Złączym się z narodem.
