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The exhibition” Poland’s Way to Freedom” marks the 25th Anniversary of Solidarity and chronicles the historic dates and events which lead to the creation of the Solidarity phenomenon in Poland in August 1980. The Solidarity exhibition is explored through a display of 200 fascinating historic images and 300 original photographs, documents, publications, badges, prisoners’ letters, diaries. Solidarity activists and prisoners of conscience who migrated to Australia have donated these memorabilia. Fifty years of Poland’s fight against foreign and communist oppression is presented on 50 boards divided into seven sections. Section A Presents events which occurred between 1939 and 1945 such as: the German onslaught on Poland on 1 September 1939, the Soviet Union invasion on 17 September 1939, the execution of Polish army officers in Katyn, the 1944 Warsaw uprising and the Yalta Conference in 1945. Section B Marks the workers’ and students’ demonstrations between 1956 and 1976 and which were violently suppressed by the communist regime. 1956 - Workers in the city of Poznan protested in response to food shortages and high prices. 75 people were killed and 1000 injured. 10.000 solders and 360 tanks were used to suppress the demonstrations. 1968 - Intellectuals and students called for political reform, including the end of censorship. The regime suppressed these attempts, forcing many intellectuals and artists to emigrate. 1970- The government introduced successive price increases, triggering strikes in several coastal cities. The demonstrators attacked the Communist Party headquarters, which in return ordered soldiers to fire at the workers; 39 people were shot, 1000 injured. 21 000 soldiers and 550 tanks were used to pacify the demonstrations. 1976 – Workers’ protests in the town of Ursus and Radom were violently suppressed. The ensuing repressions and harassment led to the formation of the Committee for Workers’ Defense. Section C It’s a story of the role of Pope John Paul II’s influence on political changes that led to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. Significant status is given to the celebration of the first visit of Pope John Paul II to Poland in 1979. This section includes images from John Paul II’s worldwide pilgrimages. Section D August 1980 - December 1981, Presents the most important events of August 1980 and the strikes in cities along the Polish coast that led to the formation of independent trade unions. It depicts the history of the strike in ‘Lenin’ Shipyards in the town of Gdansk – the formative stage of Solidarity, images from negotiations with representatives of the communist government, the historical “21 demands list”, images of striking workers, faces of the strike leaders and the joy of victory. There are also images, which show Solidarity’s long fight for registration as an independent trade union. Section E Showcases the time of martial law, imposed by the communist government on 13 December 1981. 150 people were killed including five priests; over 10.000 Solidarity leaders were imprisoned. The images present eight years of constant resistance and fight to restore freedom, human rights and civil liberties in Poland. The illustrations immortalise the countless occasions when Polish people showed their loathing of the government during street demonstrations, protests and funerals. 1.5 million people left Poland between 1980 and 1989. The documents and photographs picture Poles in Australia and their efforts to support the freedom movement in their home country. Section F Towards the end of the 80’s Poland was immersed in a fresh wave of strikes. The country faced economic and political ruin. Round Table talks commenced, with participants from the authorities and the opposition, and mediators appointed by the Church. The legalisation of Solidarity was once again agreed upon and free elections to the Senate were announced. In June 1989, parliamentary elections brought a crushing defeat to the Communist Party. On 22 December 1990, Lech Walesa - the first strike leader in “Lenin” Shipyards in Gdansk - was the first democratically elected President of the Republic of Poland. Section G Illustrates Solidarity as an independent trade union today, with its 1,5 million members and its role as an advocate of public interests. The Solidarity legend is also explored through personal stories of Solidarity activists. The display cabinets contain some very powerful documentary materials of Poles deported to Siberia, murdered by Soviets in Katyn, Miednoje and Ostaszkow, Polish II World War soldiers and Solidarity members. There are also biographic notes about repressions experienced by ‘Solidarity’ activists, letters, reports from arrests and house searches and patriotic verse and songs composed by prisoners. The exhibition aims to document the impact of historical events upon an average people who mustered their courage in defense of the universal values of freedom and human rights. 300 original photographs, publications, prisoners’ letters, diaries, badges and other memorabilia have been donated by Solidarity activists and prisoners of conscience who migrated to Australia between 1983 and 1989. The fascinating displays and powerful scenography was created by internationally acclaimed Melbourne-based artist Ryszard Jan Konikowski – painter, sculptor and graphic design artist. Major Sponsors: Victorian Multicultural Commission Polish Community Council of Victoria Consulate General of the Republic of Poland Australian Institute of Polish Affairs Anonymous Project Director Elizabeth Szczepanska Artistic Director Ryszard Jan Konikowski Graphic Design Katarzyna Franc and Joanna Szczepanska Editorial Coordinator Monika Wiench Translation Dominika Skutil Logistics and Consultancy Elizabeth Drozd Marketing and Promotion Bozena Rutecki P.R. Students, Victoria University Archival materials donated by: Iga Bajer (Miroslawa Zgirska), Jerzy Fiedler, Wieslaw Geborek, Adam Grzybowski, Zofia Kwiatkowska-Dublaszewska, Jacek Klas, Miroslaw Krupinski, Krzysztof Lancucki, Grzegorz Misiudlak, Antoni Nadstazik, Barbara Nawratowicz-Stuart, Grzegorz Ochnia, Alicja Paciej, Tadeusz Peszek, Janina Pienkos, Grazyna Plaska, Ryszard Podgorski, Alicja i Janusz Przewlocki, Celina Slodowy, Krzysztof Staniewski, Iwona Suligowska (Aleksander Koclega), Elzbieta Szczepanska, Lucjan Tadeja, Monika Wiench, Edward Wlodarski, Tadeusz Ziegler. |