The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage (MKiDN) is inviting people to celebrate together the 104th anniversary of Poland’s regaining independence. There will be festivals, concerts, performances, exhibitions, as well as family picnics and workshops throughout the country. National Independence Day will also be celebrated abroad, including Croatia, Italy and Switzerland.

In Warsaw, in addition to the official state celebrations, 11 November will include the Festival of the Independent in Krakowskie Przedmieście. The Royal Łazienki Park will invite visitors to a historical picnic with the participation of cavalrymen of the First Light Cavalry Regiment and the Honorary Squadron of the President of the Republic of Poland, as well as to an outdoor performance of Stanisław Wyspiański’s November Night. The Museum of Polish History is organising the 17th Independence Stop this year, whose main attractions are city games: for adults – “Twilight before the storm” and for children – “Little reporters”.

In Wrocław, a joyful Independence Parade prepared by the Zajezdnia History Centre will pass through the city streets. The parade will be accompanied by a performance ‘Niepodległa – Ojczyzna niejedno ma imię’ (Independent Homeland has more than one name). The performance will take place to the sounds of music by Ignacy Paderewski and Krzesimir Debski at Plac Wolności and in front of the Zajezdnia History Centre.

In Krakow, the Patriotic Week organised by the Wawel Royal Castle is already in progress. Planned activities include a field game “In tribute to the Wawel donors”, the Małopolska Final Gala of the National Independence Dictation and an illustrated publication devoted to Stanisław Wyspiański.

Cultural institutions also make concerts, films and workshops available in virtual space. Documentary and Feature Film Studio and National Film Archive – Audiovisual Institute have offered a special selection of films related to Poland’s regaining independence on their online platforms.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński