- Who we are and where we are going. 40th Anniversary of the First National Congress of NSZZ “Solidarity” Delegates. Catalogue of the exhibition
- author of scenario: Joanna Lewandowska
- content: photographs and text
- language of the publication: Polish, English
- type of binding: hardcover
- pages: 94
- size: 23 x 23 cm
Richly illustrated catalogue from the exhibition of the same title. The publication was issued on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the first National Congress of Solidarity Delegates in Gdańsk in 1981. It was a ground-breaking event in the recent history of Poland. Despite the difficulties posed by the communist authorities, the Solidarity trade unionists democratically elected their representatives to debate the repair of the state. In the program formulated by the congress, which is often referred to as the “Self-governing Republic”, the issues regarding the ways out of the crisis and reaching a democratization of the state were outlined. Unfortunately, they could not be implemented at that time. Shortly after the end of the congress, the communist party conducted an overthrow in Poland with the hands of its generals.
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The First National Congress of NSZZ “Solidarity” Delegates for the contemporary history of Poland and the history of Solidarity was an event of major importance, which should be considered with full awareness and historical truth as a breakthrough. After the nationwide strike in August 1980 and the birth of NSZZ “Solidarity”, the congress – in a broad sense – was the second fundamental step in determining and finally defining the aspirations to freedom of Poles, society consciously continuing the fight for its future and the future of the next generations.
Mateusz Smolana
Director Institute of Solidarity Heritage
