13 December marks the 42nd anniversary of martial law in Poland. However, its commemorations are already underway across the country. The Institute of National Remembrance is encouraging people to participate in the social action “Ignite the Light of Freedom to the victims of martial law”.
The social campaign “Light the Light of Freedom” refers to the gesture of solidarity made towards Poles living under martial law on Christmas Eve 1981 by crowds of people all over the world. As a sign of unity with his compatriots, a candle was lit in the window of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican by Pope John Paul II. Candles were also encouraged to be placed in windows by US President Ronald Reagan, who in his Christmas message to the nation said: “Let the flame of millions of candles in American homes be a testimony that the light of freedom cannot be extinguished”.
The finale of this year’s Ignite the Light of Freedom campaign will take place on 13 December at 7.30pm at the Pope’s Cross on Marszałek Józef Piłsudski Square in Warsaw.
On Sunday, 10 December 2023, Marshal Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, on behalf of the Senate, laid a wreath at the commemorative plaque on the wall of the Detention Centre Warsaw-Białołęka and took part in ceremonies organised on the 42nd anniversary of the imposition of martial law in relation to those imprisoned, interned and murdered people during martial law.
The Marshal of the Senate pointed out the importance of remembering history and the participants in those events. “We see the fortitude, honesty and solidarity of those Poles who dared to speak out against the regime and show that Poland could be different. Many risked their own health, lives and the safety of their families. Despite this, they were not afraid and showed that change is possible”, she stated.
Marshal Kidawa-Błońska reminded that evil does not arise from nowhere. “It happens when we are indifferent, we do not react. Sometimes dictatorial authorities try to take this freedom away from us, which is why it is so important to pass on the memory to young people”, she said.
Adrian Andrzejewski