The Polish Flag Day, celebrated on May 2, was established in 2004 - and is one of the country's youngest national holidays. Its goal is to commemorate the history and significance of Poland's national colors and patriotic traditions. On this occasion, numerous events have been scheduled to take place on Saturday across the country.
The main ceremonies, attended by the government and the president, started before noon in Warsaw's Castle Square. The event kicked off with a national-flag-raising at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, accompanied by the national anthem played by the Polish Army's Representative Orchestra. Afterwards, the Polish Flag Day parade started and moved across the old part of the capital. The event attracted many Warsaw residents and tourists.
"We are fulfilling our mission for a moment, and the Republic of Poland has endured and will endure for generations to come" - President Karol Nawrocki emphasized on Saturday. He added that the day broadcasts a signal about the unity and community of the nation, as well as the continuity of generations and the continuity of the Republic of Poland.
On the day, fulfilling the request of the Polish Defense Minister, President Karol Nawrocki presented 12 nominations to the ranks of general and admiral - so far withheld due to political and ideological scuffles between the conservative head of state and the liberal government.
The ceremony in the courtyard of the Presidential Palace was attended by, among others, the President's wife, Marta Nawrocka, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army, General Wiesław Kukuła.
"I would like us all to realize [...] that fulfilling our missions by us is a moment, and the Republic of Poland has endured and will endure for generations to come. And without this mission - there will never be a good president, a good government, or a good general. We must think of a lasting Republic of Poland, over a thousand years old, and one that will endure for another thousand years"
- the Polish President emphasized in his speech, pointing out that his decision is sending a signal about the unity and community of the nation, as well as the continuity of generations and the Republic of Poland.
May 2nd is also the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad Day - and president Nawrocki presented state decorations to leading representatives of the Polish diaspora and Poles abroad on Saturday morning.
Apart from the main state ceremonies, many more events related to the Polish Flag Day and Poles' Abroad Day are scheduled to take place on Saturday - in Warsaw (like the Polish History Museum 20th anniversary celebrations), in other cities across Poland (like the record-long 3 kilometre Polish flag unfurling in West Pomerania's Borne Sulinowo village) and abroad (like the "Polishness Parade" in now-Lithuanian Vilnius, which was one of Poland's main cities for centuries).
Legal matters related to Polish national symbols are regulated by the Act on the Coat of Arms, Colors, and Anthem of the Republic of Poland, and on State Seals. According to its contents, anyone may legally display the Polish national flag not only on national holidays, but also on private occasions and occasions. This is subject to one condition: the flag must be accorded due honor and respect.
The Polish national colors have developed over the centuries and are among the few in the world that have heraldic origins. They derive from the colors of the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Poland and the coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, dating back to the heraldry of the Piast dynasty.
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Source: IAR, PAP, PR24