The merits of Marshal Józef Piłsudski must be recognised as epoch-making – while being aware of certain controversial aspects of his policy, wrote President Karol Nawrocki in a letter to the participants of the celebrations of the 158th anniversary of Marshal Józef Piłsudski’s birth in Wawel Cathedral in Kraków.
Each year, ceremonies commemorating Józef Piłsudski are held in Wawel Cathedral.
“Marshal Józef Piłsudski entered the chronicles of our nation as the founding father of the regained independence, an outstanding statesman, one of the greatest Poles in our entire history. His consistent actions, always subordinated to the idea of restoring a sovereign state and making the Republic a lasting power in this part of Europe; his political thought, military talents and leadership charisma – left a great, indelible mark on the fate of our Homeland in the 20th century”, reads the letter to the participants of the Kraków celebrations, published on the president’s website.
Karol Nawrocki emphasised that, regardless of one’s views or political sympathies, “there is hardly anyone devoted to the affairs of the Homeland who would deny the Marshal’s greatness, strategic farsightedness and historical agency”.
“Precisely because he unwaveringly followed the idea of Polish independence, the strength of the Republic and its freedom from foreign empires, Józef Piłsudski was so fiercely attacked and vilified in the post-war period by the communist regime serving Moscow”, the letter reads.
According to the president, Piłsudski’s merits for Poland must be acknowledged as epoch-making – even “while being aware of certain controversial aspects of (his) policy”.
“Together with you, I bow my head before the honourable biography and great achievements of Józef Piłsudski”, wrote Nawrocki.
Józef Piłsudski was born on 5 December 1867 in Zułów in the Święciany district. He was an independence activist, soldier, politician and statesman; between 1918-1922 the Chief of State, and in 1920 the first Marshal of Poland.