The people of Gliwice will be able to celebrate the 108th anniversary of Poland regaining its independence by taking part in both traditional patriotic celebrations and cultural events. The celebrations will begin at 10.00 am in Chopin Park, where the Young Patriot Run will get underway. This event is aimed at children and young people – the run will be symbolic in nature, covering short distances, with no registration, classification or timekeeping. White and red accents in participants’ outfits are welcome. After the event, participants will be treated to hot tea prepared by PWiK.
A fashion show featuring period costumes from the time of the Duchy of Warsaw is scheduled for 11.00 at Villa Caro. An hour later, a lecture entitled ‘From the Legion Song to the National Anthem – the history of Dąbrowski’s Mazurka’ will take place there.
Official celebrations at Piłsudski Square
The main celebrations will begin at midday. At 12.30 pm, a Mass for the Homeland will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles. After the service, at 1.40 pm, participants will proceed to Marshal Józef Piłsudski Square. At around 1.50 pm, the official ceremonies will take place there, followed – at around 2.30 pm – by the oath-taking ceremony for pupils of the uniformed services class at the Cichociemni School of Economics and Technology in Gliwice.
There will also be plenty of other attractions. There will be a performance by the ‘Pantery’ majorettes, a display of military vehicles, and a stall serving military-style pea soup and hot tea. The band ‘W sam raz’ will also be performing.
At around 2.50 pm in Starokozielski Park, a wreath-laying ceremony is scheduled to take place at the monument commemorating the French soldiers who fell between 1920 and 1922.
Patriotic singing, dancing and a concert by Natalia Kukulska
At 3.00 pm at Villa Caro, a sing-along of patriotic songs will begin, led by the Silesian University of Technology Academic Choir. An hour later, the Market Square will be filled with historical rhythms. As part of the ‘Roztańczona Niepodległa’ event, a display of historical dances and a communal polonaise are planned. At around 4.40 pm, there will be a piano recital performed by residents of Gliwice, and afterwards, participants will be treated to sweet refreshments prepared by the Centre for Vocational and Continuing Education No. 1 in Gliwice. Until 9.00 pm, the Town Hall building will be illuminated with special festive lights.
The musical highlight of the celebrations will be a concert by Natalia Kukulska. The artist will perform at 6.00 pm at the Ruins of the Victoria Theatre. Her repertoire will include, amongst other things, pieces from the ‘Czułe Struny’ project, in which well-known works by Fryderyk Chopin have been enhanced with original lyrics.
Tickets for the concert can be purchased from 3 to 10 November at the Amok Cinema box office and at the Cultural and Tourist Information Centre. A standard ticket costs 50 zł, whilst holders of the Gliwice Resident Card will pay 10 zł. Admission to the other events is free.
On 11 November, we encourage you to join in the celebrations and decorate your homes with Polish flags!
The events are organised by the City of Gliwice
Source: gliwice.pl