Poland will mark Independence Day today with wreath-layings, a state mass, presidential honors and an Independence March in Warsaw, with parliament buildings open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
President Karol Nawrocki and his wife will lead the main ceremony at Pi艂sudski Square, where the president will also present state decorations and deliver remarks.
Earlier, top officials will lay wreaths at Warsaw monuments to Wincenty Witos, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Ignacy Daszy艅ski, Roman Dmowski, Wojciech Korfanty, and J贸zef Pi艂sudski, all key figures in the country’s struggle for independence.
Nawrocki and First Lady Marta Nawrocka, joined by Defense Minister W艂adys艂aw Kosiniak-Kamysz, will attend a mass for the homeland at the Temple of Divine Providence. At noon, senior officials will take part in a ceremonial changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Pi艂sudski Square.
Later in the day, wreaths are planned at monuments to the victims of the 2010 Smolensk tragedy, President Lech Kaczy艅ski and Marshal J贸zef Pi艂sudski, near Pi艂sudski Square.
On Monday evening, the eve of the holiday, a Capstrzyk Niepodleg艂o艣ci (“Independence Tattoo”) ceremony took place at the J贸zef Pi艂sudski monument, with Kosiniak-Kamysz and military commanders laying wreaths at memorials to the Fathers of Independence.
The Sejm and Senate will open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering access to normally restricted areas such as the Sejm chamber and corridors. Around 10:50 a.m., visitors can meet Senate Speaker Ma艂gorzata Kidawa-B艂o艅ska on the Senate’s first floor.
