Independence Day Festivities

Community Highlights Europe Independence Day Festivities

Independence Day festivities are different in every country. We attended these festivities in 2023 and 2024 in Siedlce and saw that the program was clearly defined, successful and attractive for lots of residents.
We attended the celebration of the 105th anniversary and the 106th anniversary of Polish Independence.
The program started with the Holy Mass at St.Joseph’s Church, which was presided over by Bishop Kazimierz Gurd, the Bishop of Siedlce, and accompanied by the City Choir. The mass was followed by a procession to Freedom Square. During the solemn meeting in Freedom Square, everybody sang the Polish National anthem. We listened to the speech by the Commander of the Siedlce Garrison and to the speech by the Mayor of Siedlce. An officer from Siedlce Garrison commanded the roll call of remembrance and the salute of honour.

Many schools, companies and NGOs laid wreaths candles of remembrance to the foot of the Liberty monument.
After the official program was over, the participants and the guests of the ceremony were glad to receive what they called a tourist meal – a hot pea soup with sausage.

The program of this city festival also included many interesting events, among them the Big Motor Rally and the concert of popular bands "Free as butterflies", "ŁOK'ej Band", "Team of Patriots." We watched the performance of "ŁOK'ej Band" and enjoyed it a lot. There was a laser show during their concert. The guests of the event received hot meals: a soldier’s cabbage soup and a hot sausage cooked at the authentic field kitchen.
The Mayor of Siedlce delivered a speech after the performance of "ŁOK'ej Band", and there was a joint singing of the National Anthem.

The concert was followed by the Great Motor Rally, where dozens of various vehicles took part. We found out that celebrating the restoration of the Polish enjoyed a great considerable popularity among the residents of Siedlce. Many NGOs belonged to the organizers of the event, among them KORBA Siedlce Association of Historic Technology Enthusiasts, FMB Siedlce, Natural 4x4, ATV Quads Siedlce and Moto Siedlce. Many technically sound and approved vehicles, whose owners wanted to express their patriotic feelings, took part in the ceremonial ride about the city. The vehicles had Polish flags and other patriotic accents. We observed cars of different makes and years, of different dimensions and colors, motorcycles, quads and even fire trucks of the voluteer fire brigades from Siedlce County villages.

Then there were torches in front of the central square that created a tunnel of fire that looked stunning. All this created an incredibly colorful show. The audience also enjoyed a beautiful specially programmed laser show.

There was no shortage of free hot meals, coming from the authentic field kitchen. Satiated and satisfied, we watched the motor parade closely and could even talk to the owners of the vehicles, when they waited for their turn to proceed.
Several buildings added to the celebration by their festive illuminations in national colours:

• the building of the Siedlce City Hall at 2 Independence Square;
• the Ogiński Palace;
• St. Stanislaus Church;
• the building of the Cultural Centre of the City of Siedlce;
• the "Podlasie" Auditorium;
• the White Hall of the Municipal Cultural Centre.

In 2024, Independence Day festivities began at 10 a.m., as usual, with the Holy Mass at St.Joseph’s Church presided over by Siedlce Bishop Kazimierz Gurda. The holy mass was followed by a procession from St. Joseph's Church to Freedom Square.

At 11.45 the city ceremonies began in Freedom Square. First of all, everybody sang the National anthem. Then we listened to the speech of the Commander of the Mechanized Division stationed in Siedlce, and then to the speech by the President of the City of Siedlce. Personally, I liked the speech of the city mayor, who is called the President of the City here. He said, "What does independence mean for us today? It means everyday responsiility. The freedom that generations have fought for requires us not to take it for granted. We must take care of it every day by taking action on behalf of our community and country. Patriotism, which our ancestors understood as readiness to fight and sacrifice, today can mean our daily contribution to building a strong, just and united state. I believe that each of us can contribute to this great mission, during honest work, support of another person and common national care. Let us remember that the future in Poland depends on us. On this special day I want to thank all those who work for our homeland every day."
Then there was a roll call of remembrance, and a military salute followed by laying wreaths and lighting candles of remembrance. After that, all the participants and guests were invited to a tourist meal — a portion of a tasty tourist soup.

At 5 p.m. we attended a concert and a laser show in Sikorsky Square. The concert of patriotic songs was called „We Sing About Freedom». It was presented by a rock band „Free Like a Butterfly” on the occasion of the 106th anniversary of Poland regaining independence.

Before the Great Independence Day Motor Parade that started at 6 p.m there was the final laser show to the melody of the Polish National Anthem. We listened to the inspiring melody and sang along.

We could not stay until its end for there was so much exhaust gas because of the vehicles that we decided to leave for home. Thanks a lot for the organizers of the event!
There were other interesting meetings and concerts within the framework of the Independence Day festivities in 2024, among them the 10-kilometer Family Run.

On the eve of Independence Day, we only attended an evening with the author presented by a local bard, Władysław Matejko. He told the audience his life story, recited his poems, sang his own songs and played clarinet. His performance was called "The Colorful Siedlce in Songs". It was accompanied by a variety band, Seniorinka Retired Women's Choir and his singer colleagues from Chodowiacy Folk Ensemble.

This featured blog entry was written by Vic_IV from the blog Our Stay in Poland.
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