It was a breakthrough for the whole of Central and Eastern Europe. On 10 November 1980, Polish Supreme Court approved the legalization of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union ‘Solidarity’. It was the first truly independent labor union in a Soviet bloc country. by Tomasz Kozłowski In the summer of 1980, the greatest wave of…
Three-time prime minister and leader of the peasant movement, Wincenty Witos was one of the most distinguished statesmen of the Second Polish Republic. Born into a poor peasant family, he rose to the heights of power through his own hard work and determination, never losing touch with his origins. Witos earned a place in Polish…
He was one of the most important Polish poets and writers of the 20th century, with his works translated into dozens of languages. His nonconformist stance during the totalitarian regime in the Polish People’s Republic became a point of reference for independent circles. Despite his outstanding artistic achievements and international recognition, he remained very private….
Jerzy Popiełuszko, the chaplain of Solidarity, became a target of the communist regime’s hatred. He was brutally murdered on 19 October 1984. In his patriotic homilies, he preached the message of “forgiving the guilty.” by Jan Hlebowicz The telephone rang at the District Office of Internal Affairs. The officer on duty reluctantly picked up…
Wanda Rutkiewicz was one of the best Himalayan climbers in history and a pioneer of all-female climbing in the world’s highest mountains. She climbed eight eight-thousanders. She always looked at Himalayan mountaineering through the prism of sport. She pushed her own limits, wanted to be the best every time, and never gave up on the…
On the occasion of subsequent papal conclaves, photo agencies would compete to catch cardinals electing the successor of Saint Peter. Even after the reforms of Vatican II, the garments of Church dignitaries and the ceremonies accompanying the new pope’s assumption of office remain baroque in style. In 1978, however, greatest interest was generated by quite…
