The Flag Day of the Republic of Poland evokes the memory of the most important moments in the history of the country and encourages us to reflect on the history of our homeland. The white and red colors appeal to patriotic and civic feelings, remind us that we can be proud of being Polish, and inspire us to act for the common good, which is the Republic of Poland.
They remind us of many moments of state and national glory, such as the 3rd of May Constitution - the work of civic wisdom of the deputies participating in the Great Sejm and the entire nation supporting its creators.
The Constitution restored hope and a sense of responsibility for their country to the Poles and still remains a symbol of courageous and innovative thinking about the shape of the Republic of Poland. Its legacy is a great obligation and challenge for us.
Today it is the duty of our contemporaries to cherish the historical memory as well as to pass it on to future generations. Because the knowledge of our own history and national symbols gives a sense of belonging to a society and country, builds national identity. The words of Marshal Jozef Pilsudski "Who does not respect and value his past is not worthy of respect, the present and the right to the future" - an excerpt from the letter of the Speaker of the Sejm Marek Kuchciński to the organizers and participants of the solemn celebrations of the Flag Day of the Republic of Poland and National Day of the Third of May.
On May 2, the Speaker of the Sejm took part in the ceremonial raising of the National Flag on the Clock Tower of the Royal Castle, which started the celebrations in the capital. The white and red flags were handed out to everyone who gathered at the Castle Square. Earlier Marek Kuchciński took part in the ceremony of handing in general nominations by President Andrzej Duda at the Presidential Palace. At noon, in turn, at the Belvedere courtyard, the Marshal of the Sejm participated in the ceremony of the President's awarding of state decorations and flags to distinguished organizations and institutions. The Order of Polonia Restituta and the Orders of Merit of the Republic of Poland were given to those who were meritorious in their activities for the Polish community. National flags were also presented to representatives of various organizations and institutions that work in Poland and abroad. Apart from the Speaker of the Sejm, the ceremonies at the Belvedere were also attended by the Speaker of the Senate Stanisław Karczewski, Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister Michał Dworczyk, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jacek Czaputowicz. Parliament was represented by Agnieszka Kaczmarska, Head of Chancellery of the Sejm.
The Sejm established the Flag Day of the Republic of Poland 15 years ago. Historically, the Polish national colors are derived from the colors of the coat of arms of the Polish Kingdom and the coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In the symbolism of the Polish flag white originates from the white of the eagle, which is the emblem of Poland, and white of the Pogon - a knight galloping on horseback - the emblem of Lithuania. Both emblems are placed on red backgrounds of shields. On our flag white is at the top because in Polish heraldry the color of the emblem is more important than the background.
Photo: Łukasz Błasikiewicz/ KS
