“The 3rd Silesian Uprising was the culmination of the efforts of Silesian people. Consequently, Upper Silesia was united with the Republic of Poland. It was also the climax of the process of Poland regaining its independence,” Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński said during the conference announcing celebrations related to the 100th anniversary of Upper Silesia’s accession to Poland.
Dozen of events, scientific conferences, exhibitions and educational programmes were prepared by institutions joining the celebrations. The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the Silesian Institute in Opole, the Silesian Museum, and the “Niepodległa” Programme Office invite Poles not only from Silesia to jointly celebrate one of the greatest successes in the fight for an independent Poland after 1918.
Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński reminded us that on June 20th, 1922 the Polish army entered Katowice, while on July 16th, the Upper Silesia Act of Accession was signed. These events marked the end of a long, approximately six-year period of shaping Polish borders in the process of Poland regaining its independence after 123 years of partition.
Professor Piotr Gliński stressed that the historical events recalled in those days were also crucial those days because they had shaped Poland and their identity. They are a pledge of how wise communities should choose if they want to survive.
Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński particularly emphasised the importance of opening the Silesian Pantheon. He announced the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Upper Silesia’s accession to Poland, which will include concerts, film presentations, exhibitions and numerous debates.
“On Sunday (June 19), we open the Silesian Pantheon. It is an institution which, like many others, will remain after these celebrations. I hope that the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Poland’s regaining independence will be associated with memorial institutions which were brought to life, built, transformed and modernised during these celebrations. As far as our museums are concerned, there are around 300 investment projects. One of these new projects and institutions, is the Silesian Pantheon, located in the basement of the Cathedral in Katowice. It is a joint initiative of the Archdiocese, the City of Katowice, the Silesian Voivodeship and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. It refers to the memory of Silesians, the most important people, chained to Polishness, who lived and worked in Silesia. The Pantheon will be opened on June 19, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the entry of Polish troops into Katowice,” the Minister of Culture and National Heritage said.
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