European Council President Donald Tusk, three former presidents of Poland, city mayors, local governors signed on Tuesday in Gdańsk the Declaration of Freedom and Solidarity.
At noon, residents, tourists and guests gathered in front of the European Solidarity Centre in Gdańsk to celebrate the 30th anniversary of first postwar democratic elections of June 4th, 1989. During the festivities, the Declaration of Freedom and Solidarity has been signed.
The Mayor of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz underscored that the document is a manifestation of a dream about better Poland. Next, actress Krystyna Janda read out the declaration and the guests approached the Round Table and signed the document.
First one to leave his signatire was former president Lech Wałęsa. After him, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, Bronisław Komorowski and European Council President Donald Tusk and Gdańsk Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz followed suit. The ceremony was concluded with a family photo.
The Declaration of Freedom and Solidarity was posted at the Gdańsk city hall's website: www.gdansk.pl, where also the residents can sign it.
"On the 30th anniversary of the birth of free Poland, we, the Polish people, remembering the evil that killed the Mayor of Gdańsk Paweł Adamowicz, unite in hope for a rejuvenation of public life in our Homeland," reads the document.
The next point reads: "Celebrating the Independence regained in 1989, we pay homage to all those who gave it us, as well as those who anchored our country in the European Union" and "Aware of the ties connecting us with Europe, we declare our trust in democratic traditions, free of national or religious fanatism".
The declaration also mentions the events of August 1980. "Proud of August 1980 that started in Gdańsk and loyal to the achievements of the Solidarity led by Lech Wałęsa, we refer to this legacy so that the values that had once united us would actualize evermore," it reads.
"We base our hope for rejuvenation in freedom, solidarity and self-governance that we treat as foundations of the new beginning", "We want free citizens, equal in rights and duties, to be able to not only support each other, but also to independently shape the future of both local communities and the community as a whole" and "Respect for and proliferation of these values will be the best practice of Polish democracy and citizenship, as well as a guarantee of the prosperity of Poland which is a common home to all citizens" - reads the declaration.
The document ends with the following call: "We want democracy without disputes full of hate. We want public sphere free of lies. We want to build our common future in the spirit of dialogue. We want better politics".
On the 30th anniversary of the birth of free Poland, we, the Polish people, remembering the evil that killed the Mayor of Gdańsk Paweł Adamowicz, unite in hope for a rejuvenation of public life in our Homeland. Celebrating the Independence regained in 1989, we pay homage to all those who gave it us, as well as those who anchored our country in the European Union. Aware of the ties connecting us with Europe, we declare our trust in democratic traditions, free of national or religious fanatism. Proud of August 1980 that started in Gdańsk and loyal to the achievements of the Solidarity led by Lech Wałęsa, we refer to this legacy so that the values that had once united us would actualize evermore. We base our hope for rejuvenation in freedom, solidarity and self-governance that we treat as foundations of the new beginning. We want free citizens, equal in rights and duties, to be able to not only support each other, but also to independently shape the future of both local communities and the community as a whole. Respect for and proliferation of these values will be the best practice of Polish democracy and citizenship, as well as a guarantee of the prosperity of Poland which is a common home to all citizens. We want democracy without disputes full of hate. We want public sphere free of lies. We want to build our common future in the spirit of dialogue. We want better politics. GDAŃSK DECLARATION OF FREEDOM AND SOLIDARITY
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP