Solidarity Celebrations Set To Start
The main events marking the 25th anniversary of Solidarity – the first free trade union in a communist bloc – will be held this week in Warsaw and Gdansk, the union’s birthplace. On Monday, the Polish Parliament will hold a gala meeting with the participation of president Aleksander Kwasniewski and Prime Minister Marek Belka. The Parliament will be addressed by Lech Walesa, the first charismatic leader of Solidarity.
An international conference of politicians and historians “From freedom to Solidarity” will begin in Warsaw.
Twenty nine foreign delegations have confirmed their participation in the anniversary events in the port city of Gdansk this Wednesday. The presidents and prime ministers from all former communist countries are expected, alongside prime ministers of Finland, Holland and Sweden, delegations representing US Congress, the European Parliament and the Canadian Senate. Former secretary of state James Baker will be a special envoy of the US President.