This year marks the 200th anniversary of Wybicki's death as well as 275 years since his birth and 225 years since he wrote his "Dąbrowski’s Mazurka," which is also known as "Poland Is Not Yet Lost" and was originally entitled "The Song of the Polish Legions in Italy."
The lower house of Poland’s parliament in October passed a resolution to designate 2022 as the Year of Józef Wybicki.
Józef Wybicki. Image: Polish Radio/Polona.pl
On Monday, a host of commemorative events took place in the western city of Poznań, attended by officials including Deputy Foreign Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk.
Before noon, a special Wybicki Train arrived at Poznań's Main Station in tribute to the poet and political activist who gave Poland Dąbrowski's Mazurka.
At midday, a religious service was held in honour of Wybicki at Poznań’s Catholic St. Adalbert’s Church. Afterwards, Szynkowski vel Sęk laid flowers at the graves of Wybicki and Gen. Jan Henryk Dąbrowski.
Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk
In the afternoon, Szynkowski vel Sęk opened an exhibition entitled The History of the Polish Anthem outside St. Adalbert’s Church.
Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk
The Polish foreign ministry has produced a documentary about Dąbrowski’s Mazurka, which it unveiled at its YouTube channel on Monday.
Meanwhile, state-run television broadcaster TVP Polonia plans to mark National Anthem Week with special coverage including reportage, documentaries and updates from various commemorative events across Poland, officials said.
(pm/gs)
Source: Polish Foreign Ministry, youtube.com, polonia.tvp.pl