According to many historians, the Millennium of the Kingdom of Poland is one of the most important dates for our homeland. Some say it’s second only to 966. Even the communists, in 1966, held massive celebrations for the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland. And today’s government, worse than the communists, is boycotting these dates because both symbolize Polish great-power status. Instead of commemorating them, it wants a festival of hatred against PiS, assessed PiS MEP Patryk Jaki.
March to Mark the 1000th Anniversary of the Kingdom of Poland and the 500th Anniversary of the Prussian Homage
On April 12, PiS is organizing a march in Warsaw for the 1000th anniversary of the Kingdom of Poland and the 500th anniversary of the Prussian Homage. The PiS chairman issued a special appeal to “all patriots” a few days ago:
“I call on all patriots to take part in the march marking the 1000th anniversary of the Kingdom of Poland and the 500th anniversary of the Prussian Homage—symbols of the will, sovereignty, and strength of the Polish spirit. There are many reasons today to show that we, the people who love Poland, are here.”
A few days later, Donald Tusk announced his own march, which he says will be a “patriots’ march.”
“The best response to PiS’s April march will be a great May march of patriots. Because this May will decide whether Poland is strong and secure, or isolated and weak. Are we agreed? Sunday, May 11, Warsaw, at high noon. Let me know if you’ll be there!”
This announcement about Tusk’s march was commented on X (formerly Twitter) by Prof. Sławomir Cenckiewicz:
“I’m far from denying the title of patriots to all Tusk supporters. But if Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his squire, Tomasz Siemoniak, put the matter so categorically, let me remind you of the words of another minister—Minister Nowacka, Barbara Nowacka, in your government—about how ‘in the area occupied by Germany, Polish Nazis built camps that were labor camps and then became extermination camps.’ If you were serious patriots, you would have expelled her from the government after such anti-Polish statements; at the very least, you wouldn’t have made fools of yourselves by dismissing it as a mere slip of the tongue!”
Meanwhile, PiS MEP Patryk Jaki reminded everyone that:
“The march on April 12 at noon in Warsaw is being held to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Prussian Homage and the 1000th anniversary of the Kingdom of Poland—while Tusk is organizing a march ‘because of PiS.’
“Of roughly 200 countries in the world, only around a dozen can boast a thousand-year history. Poland is one of them. The Millennium of the Kingdom, as many historians say, is one of the most important dates for our homeland—some call it the second most important after the year 966. Even the communists in 1966, for the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland, held huge celebrations. But the current government, worse than the communists, is boycotting these dates because both are symbols of Polish might. Instead of focusing on them, it wants a festival of hatred against PiS, as if that were the most important thing for the country. Meanwhile, Poland’s 1000-year history is something far greater than current political parties.”
He added that it is “particularly shameful for the current authorities” that the celebrations for these anniversaries are being funded by a public collection drive:
“Tusk’s team spent more on the famous Trzaskowski restroom than on remembering our own history. But I believe there is strength and pride in Poles regarding their own history. Bring your white-and-red flags, and let’s meet on April 12. Spread the word about this event—help us promote it. This opportunity only comes once every thousand years!”