Ceremonial Commemoration of the 108th Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence
National Independence Day is a significant occasion for every Pole. November 11, 1918, holds a special place in our nation’s history—it was the day when, after 123 years of foreign rule, Poland reappeared on the world map as a free and sovereign state.
The restoration of Poland’s independence was a gradual process. The choice of November 11 as the commemorative date is linked to the convergence of events in Poland with the conclusion of the First World War—specifically the signing of the Armistice in Compiègne on November 11, 1918, which sealed Germany’s final defeat. A day earlier, Józef Piłsudski had arrived in Warsaw. Over these two days—November 10 and 11, 1918—the Polish nation fully realized that its independence had been regained, and a profound sense of emotion and enthusiasm swept across the country.
We encourage the residents of Zakopane and the Tatra County to display the white-and-red national flag in honor of this Independence Day. This gesture allows each of us to express our pride in and respect for Poland’s national colors. Let us celebrate the 108th anniversary of the restoration of our independence together.
We cordially invite you to take part in the commemorative events, to join in paying tribute to the heroes who fought for a free homeland, and to honor the memory of our nation’s history. May this be a time for shared reflection and gratitude toward those who, through their courage, sacrifice, and steadfast struggle, made the rebirth of Poland possible.
PROGRAM:
Tuesday, November 10
6:00 PM – Independence Day Tattoo (Ceremonial Roll Call) with the 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade from Rzeszów
Legionnaires’ Quarter, New Cemetery, ul. Nowotarska 37c
Wednesday, November 11
12:00 PM – "Independent [Poland] Sings the Anthem" (National Anthem Performance) and Holy Mass for the Homeland
National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, ul. Krzeptówki 14
1:00 PM – Placement of an urn containing soil from Tobruk at the Cross – National Memorial Site, followed by a Roll Call of Remembrance (Apel Pamięci) presented by the 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade from Rzeszów
National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, ul. Krzeptówki 14
ACCOMPANYING EVENTS:
Friday, November 6
10:30 AM – 33rd Marshal Józef Piłsudski Independence Relay Race
Organizers: Marshal Józef Piłsudski Primary School No. 4 (Zakopane–Olcza), UKS Olczanka (Zakopane), and the Municipal Sports and Recreation Center in Zakopane
Details: www.sp4zakopane.edupage.org
Tuesday, November 10
10:00 AM – Competition: "Paths to Independence in the Podhale, Spisz, and Orava Regions"
Organizer: Zakopane District Office (Starostwo Powiatowe)
Details: www.powiat.tatry.pl
Wednesday, November 11
Time: 10:30 13th Zakopane Independence Run
Organizer: Municipal Sports and Recreation Centre (MOSiR) in Zakopane,
details: www.mosir.zakopane.eu
Friday, November 13
12:00 PM “Let the Voice Remain” – An interactive family gathering exploring the history of sound.
Mediateka (Media Library) – Municipal Public Library in Zakopane, ul. Chramcówki 35a
6:00 PM “That World Can Still Be Heard” – Concert and exhibition.
Zakopane Cultural Centre (ZCK), Stacja Kultura Zakopane club-café, SEMAFOR café, ul. Chramcówki 35
Saturday, November 14
6:00 PM “Memory Has a Voice” – An intergenerational dance event.
Zakopane Education Centre, ul. Kasprusie 35a
Source: Press Office of the Zakopane City Hall
The restoration of Poland’s independence was a gradual process. The choice of November 11 as the commemorative date is linked to the convergence of events in Poland with the conclusion of the First World War—specifically the signing of the Armistice in Compiègne on November 11, 1918, which sealed Germany’s final defeat. A day earlier, Józef Piłsudski had arrived in Warsaw. Over these two days—November 10 and 11, 1918—the Polish nation fully realized that its independence had been regained, and a profound sense of emotion and enthusiasm swept across the country.
We encourage the residents of Zakopane and the Tatra County to display the white-and-red national flag in honor of this Independence Day. This gesture allows each of us to express our pride in and respect for Poland’s national colors. Let us celebrate the 108th anniversary of the restoration of our independence together.
We cordially invite you to take part in the commemorative events, to join in paying tribute to the heroes who fought for a free homeland, and to honor the memory of our nation’s history. May this be a time for shared reflection and gratitude toward those who, through their courage, sacrifice, and steadfast struggle, made the rebirth of Poland possible.
PROGRAM:
Tuesday, November 10
6:00 PM – Independence Day Tattoo (Ceremonial Roll Call) with the 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade from Rzeszów
Legionnaires’ Quarter, New Cemetery, ul. Nowotarska 37c
Wednesday, November 11
12:00 PM – "Independent [Poland] Sings the Anthem" (National Anthem Performance) and Holy Mass for the Homeland
National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, ul. Krzeptówki 14
1:00 PM – Placement of an urn containing soil from Tobruk at the Cross – National Memorial Site, followed by a Roll Call of Remembrance (Apel Pamięci) presented by the 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade from Rzeszów
National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, ul. Krzeptówki 14
ACCOMPANYING EVENTS:
Friday, November 6
10:30 AM – 33rd Marshal Józef Piłsudski Independence Relay Race
Organizers: Marshal Józef Piłsudski Primary School No. 4 (Zakopane–Olcza), UKS Olczanka (Zakopane), and the Municipal Sports and Recreation Center in Zakopane
Details: www.sp4zakopane.edupage.org
Tuesday, November 10
10:00 AM – Competition: "Paths to Independence in the Podhale, Spisz, and Orava Regions"
Organizer: Zakopane District Office (Starostwo Powiatowe)
Details: www.powiat.tatry.pl
Wednesday, November 11
Time: 10:30 13th Zakopane Independence Run
Organizer: Municipal Sports and Recreation Centre (MOSiR) in Zakopane,
details: www.mosir.zakopane.eu
Friday, November 13
12:00 PM “Let the Voice Remain” – An interactive family gathering exploring the history of sound.
Mediateka (Media Library) – Municipal Public Library in Zakopane, ul. Chramcówki 35a
6:00 PM “That World Can Still Be Heard” – Concert and exhibition.
Zakopane Cultural Centre (ZCK), Stacja Kultura Zakopane club-café, SEMAFOR café, ul. Chramcówki 35
Saturday, November 14
6:00 PM “Memory Has a Voice” – An intergenerational dance event.
Zakopane Education Centre, ul. Kasprusie 35a
Source: Press Office of the Zakopane City Hall