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UPDATE: Poland marks anniversary of victorious uprising against Germans

27.12.2022 19:30
Polish officials on Tuesday paid tribute to insurgents who fought a victorious uprising against their region's German rulers shortly after the end of World War I.
A ceremony in the western Polish city of Poznań on Tuesday marks the 104th anniversary of a victorious uprising against the Germans after the end of World War I.
A ceremony in the western Polish city of Poznań on Tuesday marks the 104th anniversary of a victorious uprising against the Germans after the end of World War I.Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk

As the country marked a national day of remembrance for the revolt more than a century ago, President Andrzej Duda said in a message that the Greater Poland Uprising of 1918 and 1919 "played a fundamental role in shaping the borders of a reborn, independent Polish state."

He added that "the victory guaranteed the young Polish state lasting peace in the west, which was crucial for defending the country against an invasion from the east."

Duda also said in his message that "the insurgent traditions are a reason for the Polish people to be proud, and at the same time an important history lesson from which we can draw inspiration to serve our free country."

The president's message was read by one of his aides, Andrzej Dera, during a ceremony in the western city of Poznań on Tuesday afternoon.

Under a law initiated by the president and approved by parliament last year, December 27 is a new Polish public holiday, known as National Day of the Victorious Greater Poland Uprising, in tribute to the revolt's participants.

The Greater Poland Uprising, in which Poles rose against the German state after the end of World War I, erupted on December 27, 1918.

The revolt started after the region's German authorities opposed a visit to the city of Poznań by Polish pianist and independence activist Ignacy Jan Paderewski.

An annual re-enactment held in the western Polish city of Poznań to commemorate the 1918 uprising against the Germans An annual re-enactment held in the western Polish city of Poznań to commemorate the 1918 uprising against the Germans. Photo: PAP/Marek Zakrzewski

The insurgents demanded the release of Prussian-occupied Polish land as the country recovered its independence after 123 years of foreign rule.

Fighting continued throughout the region until January 1919.

The Greater Poland Uprising was one of just a few Polish insurgencies that ended in victory for the country.

In a closing tribute on Tuesday evening, the façade of the Polish presidential palace was illuminated to honour the "Heroes of the Greater Poland Uprising," officials said.

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Source: IAR, PAP, IPN