The University of Gdańsk has entered the year of commencing the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of its existence. As the Speaker of the Sejm Marek Kuchciński said: The University has not forgotten about its Professor, the Rector of the Faculty of Law, who devoted 28 years of his life to the University. A politician, a scientist and an outstanding theoretician of labour law, His Alma Mater has honoured him with a commemorative plaque.

One of the initiators of the plaque, chairman of the "Identity and Solidarity" Foundation Tomasz Rakowski justified that the beautiful and dignified path Lech Kaczyński went through - from his activity in the anti-communist opposition, co-creating the Solidarity movement, through parliamentary work, his presidency of the Supreme Chamber of Control, the portfolio of the minister of justice, the seat of the president of Warsaw and the president of Poland - deserves to be honored and commemorated.

- Lech Kaczyński can certainly be an inspiration and role model for students and employees of the University. A young doctoral student in his twenties, an employee of the University of Gdansk - a state university, in a city that still remembers the terror, the massacre of workers in 1970... He does not follow the crowd, he follows his heart, risking his professional career. For free trade unions, the coast is a priceless treasure. A lawyer, an outstanding expert in labor law. In those days there were few such people, and those who wanted to expose themselves by engaging in work for the opposition were even fewer. Not to say: not at all. He helps workers by making them aware of their rights. She writes letters, appeals, complaints, and helps the repressed. He takes risks. He did not have to. He could have closed himself within the safe walls of his university career, but he chose a different path. This is how Solidarity is born," Rakowski said.

Another of the plaque's initiators, Prof. Lech Kaczyński's doctoral student, currently dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk Jakub Stelina, read out a letter from Jarosław Kaczyński. He also stressed that Prof. Lech Kaczyñski was not only a politician, but also a scientist - an eminent theoretician of labour law, who contributed greatly to the development of this field of law.

It is worth remembering that Lech Kaczyński broke the omnipotence of the state. He showed that an employee can apply for fairness in employment, obtain favourable conditions for himself or receive a social pension when he is unable to work.

Lech Kaczyński's brother Jarosław and the Polish Sejm were represented by the Speaker of the Sejm Marek Kuchciński. - The university was very important to him, and the scientific environment - as Jarosław Kaczyński said - was his natural environment. Although during that time he was also absorbed by public issues. And they finally absorbed him fully, until the tragic end - said the Speaker of the Sejm. Marek Kuchciński emphasized that even in the last months before his sudden passing Lech Kaczyński was planning to return to his University.

President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda addressed a letter to the participants of the ceremony. He wrote that we remember Lech Kaczyński as an outstanding statesman and civil servant who always served the Republic of Poland and its people well. But he is also remembered in the cradle of Solidarity because for nearly 30 years he worked here as a lecturer and researcher. Within the walls of the Gdańsk University, he was gaining more and more academic degrees, and at the same time was active in opposition and social activities. His outstanding knowledge of labour law was put to practical use, which enabled him to support the trade union movement with his knowledge, experience and advice. (...)

The strength and courage of Professor Lech Kaczyński seems to still be present within the walls of the University. Its rector - Professor Jerzy Piotr Gwizdała - said that the University is not afraid of challenges. - We declare effective work, the courage to think, openness to others and the world. For understanding our common mission and our daily tasks, I thank the entire community of our University and all those who over the past 50 years, together with the academic community, have built the prestige and position of our University - he said.

The ceremony was attended by parliamentarians, representatives of state, local and church authorities, diplomatic corps, rectors of universities, representatives of scientific institutions, public institutions and Pomeranian companies and the academic community of the University of Gdansk.

text/ photo Marta Olejnik/ KS

President of the "Identity and Solidarity" Foundation Tomasz Rakowski The plaque commemorating Prof. Lech Kaczyński was consecrated by Archbishop Slawoj Leszek Glodz