pawian
7 Jun 2009
History / Communism fell 20 years ago, Poland led the fight since WW2 [341]
At last workers and the intelligentsia started cooperating after the events of 1976.. They realised that only united they were able to defeat communism. A few anti-communist organizations appeared. They defended human rights, organized patriotic marches, hunger strikes, demonstrations and illegal lectures on Polish history, published books beyond censorship etc.
Patriotic demonstration in 1979.
Hunger strike members
In 1978 Karol Wojtyła was chosen the Pope. He adopted the name of John Paul II. From then on, the Polish fight for freedom gained a powerful supporter. Though communism was still inhumanely strong, it was doomed to collapse......
The Pope came to Poland in 1979. It was an incredible event, Poland witnessed things which couldn`t be seen in other countries of the communist block. Millions of people gathered in cities visited by the Pope. I also saw him, during his visit to Krakow. I was just a boy, but already aware of the importance of the events.
John Paul II spoke about the people's right to "have God in their lives," and the "right to freedom." People realized that strength lay in numbers and this broke the barrier of fear. Thus, the Pope's visit in June 1979 was an important prelude to the birth of Solidarity in August 1980.
At last workers and the intelligentsia started cooperating after the events of 1976.. They realised that only united they were able to defeat communism. A few anti-communist organizations appeared. They defended human rights, organized patriotic marches, hunger strikes, demonstrations and illegal lectures on Polish history, published books beyond censorship etc.
Patriotic demonstration in 1979.
Hunger strike members
In 1978 Karol Wojtyła was chosen the Pope. He adopted the name of John Paul II. From then on, the Polish fight for freedom gained a powerful supporter. Though communism was still inhumanely strong, it was doomed to collapse......
The Pope came to Poland in 1979. It was an incredible event, Poland witnessed things which couldn`t be seen in other countries of the communist block. Millions of people gathered in cities visited by the Pope. I also saw him, during his visit to Krakow. I was just a boy, but already aware of the importance of the events.
John Paul II spoke about the people's right to "have God in their lives," and the "right to freedom." People realized that strength lay in numbers and this broke the barrier of fear. Thus, the Pope's visit in June 1979 was an important prelude to the birth of Solidarity in August 1980.
