- March in Bydgoszcz was the first example of all social groups turning against communism in the People's Republic of Poland", said the Speaker of the Sejm, opening an exhibition "For free, independent and self-governing countryside - the anniversary of the events of March '81 in Bydgoszcz and registration of the Agricultural Solidarity".

Guests at the exhibition recalled the times when farmers joined workers protesting across the country, how important the issue of the registration of the agricultural "Solidarity" was and what a problem it posed for the communist authorities. - Why did the agricultural "Solidarity" have to wait so long for legalization? Because the party comrades had not read Wyspianski, who wrote that "a peasant is a power and that's it", explained Dr. Szarek.

Farmers demanded self-determination, as well as the right to property, freedom of speech and conscience, and respect for their hard work. There was an extraordinary strength and power in this interpersonal solidarity. The best proof of unity were events that went down in history as Bydgoszcz March '81. Solidarity of Bydgoszcz Region stood up for farmers' right to register separate trade union structures. On 19 March, the communist authorities once again showed their contempt for ordinary people and resorted to methods they had used many times before - violence and brutal treatment of those who dared to oppose them. As a sign of solidarity with the victims of violence, the country was flooded with protests.

As a consequence of the steadfast resistance and determination of the village representatives, supported by Solidarity members, the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union of Individual Farmers "Solidarity" was registered on 12 May 1981. It was a great victory not only for farmers and Solidarity, but also for social unity.

Michal Bartoszcze, one of the participants in the so-called Bydgoszcz events, who was beaten together with Jan Rulewski and Mariusz Labentowicz by MO officers, was also mentioned at the opening of the exhibition. Szarek said that the Bartoszcze sons, Piotr and Roman, "brought up in the spirit of freedom," were active in the peasant movement together with their father. Piotr Bartoszcze was murdered in February 1984, a few months before the murder of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko. IPN has recently returned to the case of the unexplained death of Piotr Bartoszcze, co-founder of the NSZZ RI "Solidarność. - We owe this to all those who fought then for a free Poland," concluded the head of the IPN.

The exhibition was prepared by the employees of the educational department of the IPN Branch in Bydgoszcz. It enjoys the honorary patronage of the Speaker of the Sejm Marek Kuchciński.