Birthday of Polish Szczecin: bugle call and memories of pioneering beginnings

At noon on Saturday - in front of the Monument to the Deed of Poles - on the 80th anniversary of the takeover of Szczecin by the Polish administration, the anthem and the city bugle call resounded. The city's birthday - July 5 - is also the Day of Pioneers of Szczecin. The host of the anniversary celebrations was Mayor Piotr Krzystek.

- We are meeting on the anniversary of the birth of our city. Many others celebrate the anniversaries of granting rights, the history of their foundation. We are celebrating on July 5, because this date marks the true beginning of Polish Szczecin - recalled President P. Krzystek. - We know the history of our city and we know how difficult this time was. Conquered in April 1945, it was - one could say - a ghost town. It was here that President Piotr Zaremba came and, together with his associates, created the foundations for the annexation of this beautiful but destroyed city to Poland. Pioneers, first settlers came: with hopes and war experiences. It was in Szczecin that they were looking for their place. They were rebuilding, creating their small homeland: friendly to everyone.

The President recalled the difficulty of organizing the life of the city, building its institutions and workplaces. Paying tribute to the Pioneers of the City of Szczecin. He also pointed out how the 80th anniversary of our city was interwoven with events important for the history of Poland - the years 1956, 1970-71 and 80 - and its path to freedom.

- Poland in the European Union is a huge opportunity for Szczecin. Thanks to EU funds, we have managed to solve many problems that Szczecin has been struggling with for years: we have a modern sewage treatment plant, a waste incinerator, modern roads, the Philharmonic, the Pogodno stadium, the Opera at the Castle and many other cultural institutions - pointed out President Piotr Krzystek. - We are creating an economic space that responds to the challenges of the times. Szczecin is becoming an increasingly modern port and a place important for the development of Polish renewable energy. All these challenges are a great chance for Szczecin to become an increasingly better place to live. This is our common task, because we want it to be a home also for our children and grandchildren.

Wishes for Szczecin - at the Monument to the Deed of Poles - were also expressed by: on behalf of the government - Minister Arkadiusz Marchewka, and a member of the board of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship Bogdan Jaroszewicz - who read a letter from Marshal Olgierd Geblewicz: "Today's celebrations are not only an expression of memory of the past but also concern for the development of the city and building a strong, conscious community. On behalf of the Board of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, I wish that the coming years will be a period of successful development, mutual support and many successes in every field, all prosperity".

The official part of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Polish Szczecin ended with the laying of flowers in front of the Monument to the Deeds of Poles. ©℗

(an)