We must find readiness within ourselves, also in the coming months, not only for courage, not only for determination, but also for good ideas and for sensible, commonsensical rules - said the European Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday afternoon in Gdańsk, on the 30th anniversary of the 4th of June 1989 elections. During the rally that attracted thousands of people, also former president Lech Wałęsa and Mayor of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz shared their thoughts with the crowd.
Tuesday marked the 30th anniversary of the first partially-free parliamentary elections after communist-era in Poland. The main celebrations took place in Gdańsk. A debate "30 years of Polish democracy" was organised, as well as Citizens' Forum participated by former presidents who also signed the "Gdańsk Declaration of Freedom and Solidarity".
At 5.30 pm, on Długi Targ boulevard in the historic centre of Gdańsk, a rally was commenced. First, the anthem of the European Union was sang out and then politicians and local governors gave speeches.
Dulkiewicz: June 4 is a feast of freedom and solidarity
The Mayor of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz said that the 4th of June is "a feast of joyful freedom and solidarity, freedom and solidarity that we may show each other everyday". "I know that when I see your smiling faces and let's hope that it stays this way," she addressed the crowd.
"Remember that at first there were elections in Poland, only after fell the Berlin Wall. The credit goes to us," she said.
"What we really need is a community. I look forward to what's coming to us here in Poland when I see all of you holding flags of so many cities. That's because I know that together we can change Poland," said the Gdańsk mayor.
"How to make Poland better? Let's be better to each other, let's respect each other, let's not use hateful language, let's reach out to each other, especially to the weaker ones," Dulkiewicz urged the gathered people.
She stressed that "30 years ago, we've won a great privilege, but also a duty". "This privilege and duty is called a voting card. Let's use it, but use it wisely. Let's encourage people around us because it's a great value. Voting cards have magic power. You often ask, 'what whould we do to make Poland better?' That's what. Remember about it also in October," Dulkiewicz called, referring to the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 2019.
Wałęsa: we've achieved unbelievable things together
Former president Lech Wałęsa, a central figure of Poland's opposition under communist regime spoke next. "For 50 years I have been here with you in Gdańsk. You allowed me to be your leader in 1970 and then in 1980. It wasn't an easy role, but I have tried my best to deliver what I had promised," he said.
"Nevertherless, we've achieved unbelievable things together," he addressed the people gathered on Długi Targ.
"Fate has given our generation two great tasks: first one we've managed to complete finely, namely to remove all the obstacles that blocked the energy of Gdańsk, Poland, Europe and even of the whole world, to remove post-war divisions, to end divisions into bloc's, systems, borders that prevented Poland, Europe and the world from growing. We've achieved this with finesse, even though no one was giving us any chances. Today, I hear again that we won't manage to build a beautiful European unity, that we won't manage to create a better system than we have today," Wałęsa said.
Wałęsa also spoke about the second stage in which we must move on from "little states, countries towards more advanced organisation, with each country having it's own path, different solutions".
According to Wałęsa, currently comes "an end of these small steps that we've made". "Now, if we really want to build something new, bigger, then we must ask ourselves, especially here in Gdańsk, on what foundations we want to build it. Some want to build only on liberties, free market and the law, while others say 'no' - in order to build it good, we must agree on principles first and then add free market and the law and that will be this new model," said the former president.
Tusk: today you're all Paweł Adamowicz's guests
The European Council President Donald Tusk began his speech by thanking the crowd for "a warm welcome". When he appeared on the stage, people were chanting his name: "Donald Tusk, Donald Tusk, Donald Tusk!".
"I've got to tell, cross my heart, that it is me who sincerely welcomes you in Gdańsk, as it is my place on Earth. I sincerely welcome residents of Gdańsk and all of you who came here today on this special day. I need to tell you that today you're all Paweł Adamowicz's guests," he said.
Paweł Adamowicz is here with us today, not only because it was his idea to meet here on June 4, but mainly because his beautiful life, that ended so terribly, and his symbolic death tell us more about our past and present than even best-prepared speeches," Tusk said.
"I would also like thank all of the people who in 1970, 1980, during the martial law, in 1988 and 1989, did all they could, rain or shine, in despair and in hope, who withstood this long march to freedom and independence and who never gave up this lovely citizens' belief that the miracle of freedom and independence can come true," said the former prime minister.
"I want to thank those who took part in the strikes. I thank the people who in recent years, when need came, took to the streets to continue the work of those who had won this freedom and independence for us. To those who were not scared of foul language and hatred in the media. i know that many of you are here today and I want to bow my head in your honour. Thanks to you Poland is still the most beautiful place on Earth and Poles are a great, proud European nation, even if we're not always lucky when it comes to governments," he underscored.
Tusk told about a few days from 1988 and 1989. "Let it be a short parable about hope in hopeless times and that one can withstand even the worst ordeal if one has faith and supportive people around," he said.
"In May 1988, no one believed that freedom and independence are just around the corner. In the shipyard, where Lech Wałęsa was and at the university, where Paweł Adamowicz was, mainly young people, young shipyard workers and students decided to go on strike for a free, independent Poland," said Tusk.
"I remember the words of government officials back then, full of contempt and mockery. I remember when we were walking out of the shipyard and everyone was crying because we felt that the strike had failed. It was May. A few months later, after another August strike, the fate of Poland and Europe took a turn in the right, beautiful direction, thanks to the same people and because of one reason - they didn't lose hope and belief that their effort and struggle had sense. They didn't give up after one harsh and painful defeat. There were only 300 of them, and yet here you are in tens of thousands in this place alone. What's the reason for you to hang your heads?" - he went on.
"You need to be couragous, determined, but you alsoo need good ideas. You need to be smart. Never declare defeat after losing the first match," added the head of the European Council.
"Lech Wałęsa is world-famous not only because he's a national hero, not only because he's a Nobel Prize laureate and the first president; not because he was the one who de facto crushed the Berlin Wall, but also because he's an embodiment of a dream of all regular people that sometimes by being shrewd, sometimes by being courageous, patient and persistent one can tear down walls, not only in Berlin," said Donald Tusk.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP