This day, as a national holiday commemorating the reclamation of independence in 1918, has been celebrated since 1920, but had a mainly military nature. In Belveder, Virtuti Militari medals were awarded; on the Saski Square in Warsaw, Marshal Józef Piłsudski was inspecting troops and then he was taking the salute. The day was declared a national holiday only in 1937.
National Independence Day is the most important Polish national holiday.
Independence Day celebrations connect Poles living in the country and abroad. The Polish Community in Upper Austria, to underline the uniqueness of that day, organised a concert by the vocal octet “Bi-Bi Singers” from Bielsko-Biała. Those who came were welcomed by the chairman of Polish Community in Upper Austria, Julian Gaborek, and by Magdalena Recheis, by the General Consul of the Polish Embassy in Vienna, Andrzej Koczorowski, with his family, by Upper Austria’s member of parliament, Eva Maria Gattringer, by the vice-mayor of the city Linz, Christian Forsterleitner, the director of Upper Austria’s Trade Unions, Franz Molterer, the Polish language teacher in Upper Austria’s schools, Małgorzata Szczerek, and the director of National Science Academy in Vienna, Professor Bogdan Dybaś, with his wife. This last guest reminded guests of a few historical facts: about Poles wrestling on different front lines, and about their unfaltering characters, patriotism and heroism, whereby they won freedom.
Consul Andrzej Koczorowski underlined in his speech the enormous role of Poland’s first Marshal – Józef Piłsudski, in reclaiming independence.
Poland disappeared from the map of Europe for a long time, but it never disappeared from the hearts and minds of Poles who were devoted to their homeland. Independence Day inclines us towards reflection over patriotism, and we count also cooperation with each other and helping fellow countrymen abroad.
The performance of the vocal octet “Bi-Bi Singers” from Bielsko-Biała and Childish Band “Oberek”, added splendour to the concert.
“Bi-Bi Singers” are a vocal octet, which was established in 2012. It is formed with amateurs who are passionate about unison singing. In our repertoire we have old songs music, but we don’t shun modern musical entertainment. Diversified songs from different periods enable us to show how music’s sensitivity and composers’ inspirations have changed. At the same time, studies of popular music bring to the foreground the beauty of their melodies. Although the octet has existed for only a short time, we can boast the Golden String award, in the Choirs Contest in Niepołomice, which took place in April 2013.
Photo © Barbara Kalczyńska / Elipsa