At AMBEREXPO, we understand how important freedom and civil rights are. That is why we encourage everyone to take part in the three-day event in Gdańsk – from 2 to 4 June.
The invitation is open to everyone, and participation in most events is free. The programme includes a concert by the best Polish artists, debates on the past and future not only at the round table, meetings with the key figures of recent decades, seminars and conferences.
– The recent social and political events we are observing, not only in Poland, show that civil rights, democracy, self-government, freedom and the rule of law are values that must be cared for with particular attention. That is why the character of our celebration is not only about commemorating the anniversary of the first partially free elections. On the one hand, we recall that date, but we also want to reflect on the state of citizenship today and of us as a society – says Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk.
Freedom and Civil Rights Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the elections of 4 June 1989 – the first partially free elections to the Sejm and completely free elections to the Senate since the Second World War. As a consequence of that vote, the communists had to share power, and the democratisation of the state became a fact. The event has a civic character, with non-governmental organisations from across Poland travelling to Gdańsk.
Friday, 2 June
The main hub of events will be the birthplace of Solidarity – the post-shipyard grounds.
First up is the Forum of Ideas and Practice | Solidarity in Development. The event is aimed at everyone who works with and for people, both in the public and non-governmental sectors. The theme of the debates and seminars is: The social energy of generations. It begins at noon on 2 June in the European Solidarity Centre's auditorium. The Forum will run until 6pm. Free admission.
In the evening, a concert is planned under the theme: Generations of Freedom. Musicians of various generations will sing about Poland, freedom, and ourselves. Performers include Kayah, Varius Manx and Kasia Stankiewicz, Doda, Michał Szpak, Big Cyc, Kamil Bednarek, LemON, Lombard and Voo Voo. The entrance gates to Plac Zebrań Ludowych will open at 7pm. The concert will begin half an hour later. Free admission.
Saturday, 3 June
At noon, a get-out-the-vote campaign will begin in the Social Zone under the slogan – Don't sleep, or they'll outvote you. The intention is to encourage all citizens to take part in the autumn parliamentary elections. Interestingly, the slogan dates back to 1989 and helped lead democratic candidates for the Sejm and Senate to victory.
Saturday–Sunday, 3 and 4 June
On Saturday and Sunday, it's worth visiting the post-shipyard grounds. On the Road to Freedom, Plac Porozumienia Gdańskiego (next to the former management building) and the site of the former shipyard canteen, a very rich programme of events prepared by non-governmental organisations will take place. This year, 150 non-governmental organisations, civic movements and informal groups from across Poland will come to Gdańsk, including from Łódź, Kraków, Warsaw, Iława, Kwidzyn, Leszno and, of course, Gdańsk itself. Anyone can join in. Activists meet with citizens individually, as well as during public debates, workshops and talks. Based on previous years' experience, this is where an exchange of experiences takes place, along with presentations of social and civic initiatives carried out in Poland and abroad, the forging of partnerships and the launch of new initiatives.
– This year we are meeting under the theme Generations of Freedom. We want to look at various social problems and phenomena from the perspective of four decades. Three that have already passed, and a fourth that we are all writing together right now – says Jacek Bendykowski, President of the Gdańsk Foundation.
Seven main discussions will be devoted to – Generations of Freedom. Invited guests will discuss the 34 years during which Poland and the lives of its citizens have changed enormously – taboo subjects, fears, entertainment, TV series. Participants in the debates will include Elżbieta Zapendowska, Daniel Qczaj, Piotr Cyrwus, Andrzej Wrona and Zygmunt Chajzer.
The Social Zone will be open on 3 June from 11am to 10pm, and on 4 June from 11am to 6.30pm.
During these days, it is also worth visiting the Gdańsk Participation Forum, a solid helping of shared experiences, presentations of good practice, debates, workshops and a joint breakfast to start things off well. The aim of the Forum is to familiarise people with the concept of participation and encourage deeper dialogue. Residents, experts, officials, councillors, young people and more experienced participants will meet in one space. They will discuss what co-decision-making means and how to encourage people to get involved in various activities. An initiative of the RC Foundation, it will be held on the site of the former shipyard canteen, in a space newly arranged by the Gdańsk Foundation next to the historic shipyard Gate No. 2.
These two days will be filled with a programme of events held at the European Solidarity Centre. Participants and witnesses of the 4 June elections will guide visitors along a memory trail through the permanent exhibition. Over 100 young MPs and senators from across Poland have announced their arrival, and it will be possible to join the open sessions of the Youth Parliament of the Republic of Poland. Several round-table debates are planned in the winter garden. There will be meetings with Prof. Adam Strzembosz, the first President of the Supreme Court and Chairman of the Tribunal of State, and with President Aleksander Kwaśniewski. You can also take part in a seminar on migrant integration or an open conference – Fashion in the People's Republic of Poland. On both 3 and 4 June, tickets to the permanent exhibition and the temporary exhibition STOCZNIA (Shipyard) will be available at the promotional price of PLN 10. Information and tickets on the website of the European Solidarity Centre.
The detailed hourly programme for Freedom and Civil Rights Day is available on the website dedicated to the 4 June commemorations.