As the country marked a national day of remembrance for the revolt more than a century ago, President Andrzej Duda said in a message that the Greater Poland Uprising of 1918 and 1919 was "one of those events in our recent history that deserve special commemoration."
He added that "the road to national independence and the unification of the country divided between the partitioning powers was long and difficult" and included "many heroic and tragic armed uprisings" as well as "long, comprehensive preparations of the Polish people for the fight to regain and maintain their own state."
Duda also said in his message that he was convinced that "the memory of this magnificent triumph of the Polish armed struggle and spirit of freedom" would inspire future generations.
"May the celebration of the victorious Greater Poland Uprising unite us in the service of an independent homeland, strengthening our patriotism, courage and work ethic," Duda stated.
The president's message was read by one of his aides, Andrzej Dera, during a ceremony in the western city of Poznań on Friday afternoon.
Under a law initiated by the president and approved by parliament in 2021, December 27 is a Polish public holiday, known as National Day of the Victorious Greater Poland Uprising, in tribute to the revolt's participants.
The Greater Poland Uprising, in which Poles rose against the German state after the end of World War I, erupted on December 27, 1918.
The revolt started after the region's German authorities opposed a visit to the city of Poznań by Polish pianist and independence activist Ignacy Jan Paderewski.
An annual re-enactment held in the western Polish city of Poznań to commemorate the 1918 uprising against the Germans. Photo: PAP/Marek Zakrzewski
The insurgents demanded the release of Prussian-occupied Polish land as the country recovered its independence after 123 years of foreign rule.
Fighting continued throughout the region until January 1919.
The Greater Poland Uprising was one of just a few Polish insurgencies that ended in victory for the country.
During Friday's commemorations in Poznań, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the Greater Poland Uprising "is a symbol of the victory of national unity and national interests over divisions."
Referring to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Kosiniak-Kamysz appealed: "Today we also need this kind of unity because we face the greatest risks and threats to our security since the end of World War II."
Parliamentary Speaker Szymon Hołownia told those at the ceremony that "the victorious Greater Poland Uprising gives us the strength to look to the future with confidence and hope." He added that working together despite differences "benefits the nation, giving it the potential to overcome difficulties and emerge victorious from all battles."
In a closing tribute on Friday evening, the façade of the Polish presidential palace was illuminated to honour the heroes of the Greater Poland Uprising, officials said.
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Source: IAR, PAP, IPN