On July 6-7 this year, Marshal of the Sejm Marek Kuchcinski visited the capital of Lithuania. The main point of the visit was the opening of the exhibition "Lublin - City of the Lithuanian-Polish Union" at the National Museum - Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Marek Kuchciński also took part in the anniversary celebrations of the "Ostra Brama" action of the Home Army, organized by the Office for Veterans and Victims of Repression in Vilnius Calvary. The event was attended for the first time by a delegation from the Lithuanian Parliament headed by MP Emanuelis Zingeris.

- The Union of Lublin continues to this day to amaze with its momentum, its size and its novelty. It was based on a fundamental principle that determined its success. This fundamental principle was voluntarism and equality, which was most fully defined by the cry from those times "free with free, equal with equal," Marshal Kuchcinski said during the inauguration of the exhibition at the National Museum - Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. The exhibition is under the honorary patronage of the Speaker of the Seimas and the Chairman of the Seimas.

The Speaker noted that the factor that united the newly established state union and made it so strong was the identification of citizens with their state. - A spiritual and cultural community was formed, a community of faith and values. It unleashed real creative powers and aroused the admiration of our neighbors. But above all, it gave our ancestors security," Marek Kuchcinski said.

- Nearly 400 years after the conclusion of the Union of Lublin, the nations of Europe proceeded to create a new value, which then developed and became a kind of successor to the Union of Lublin. This is the European Union, which includes us, and which is being pursued by some of our neighbors. In those days, the common state triggered community and alliance thinking in us. And even though the Union no longer exists in a legal sense, this thinking is still present and contributes to the strengthening of our bilateral, regional and European cooperation and allied ties within NATO. We consider this a direct legacy of the great Union of Lublin," assessed the Speaker of the Sejm.

As part of the exhibition at the National Museum - Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, a painting by Jan Matejko, one of the most prominent Polish painters in history, titled "The Union of Lublin. "Union of Lublin." The work was created on the 300th anniversary of the signing of the Polish-Lithuanian Union. It depicts the moment of the solemn reading and swearing in of the document.

- The essence of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was the equality of Lithuania in the Union, where the two states met and merged in the fields of parliamentarism, foreign policy, defense, currency. That is why we are in Vilnius today with the great work of Jan Matejko, which combines all possible levels. It is a monumental work documenting this great event. It shows Polish-Lithuanian relations, crowned by the conclusion of the Union, as a certain continuity and process, since some of the figures in the painting were no longer alive when the Union was concluded, but with their lives contributed to its finalization. The participation of the King, the Primate, the Clergy and the great figures of both nations, and above all the cross, shows that this is a great work," Marshal Kuchcinski said of Jan Matejko's work.

In his speech, Speaker Kuchcinski also referred to the Statehood Day-Coronation Day of King Mindaugas, celebrated in Lithuania on July 6. - 450 years ago, we entered into a state union with Lithuania, looking to the future, but also respecting its heritage. Today, on Lithuanian Statehood Day, we want to bow to this heritage and celebrate the moment when Lithuania was born as a united state. This is the day when the royal crown rested on the temples of Prince Mindaugas, which was a message to neighbors and Europe that the Lithuanian nation was taking its rightful place in the Western world. On this day of pride and joy, I would like to wish the Lithuanian people every success," the Speaker of the Seimas stated.

In turn, Chairman of Lithuania's Seimas Viktoras Pranckietis stressed that the slogan of freedom and togetherness remains ever relevant. - "Even when we lost our state after 200 years, the citizens of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the November and January uprisings stood up to fight together with the slogan: 'For our freedom and yours,'" Viktoras Pranckietis said.

-We understand that acting together, we can achieve more, be more secure," the Seimas Chairman noted, while thanking for the opportunity to show the painting "Union of Lublin" in Vilnius and the opportunity to take part in the celebration of the 450th anniversary of the signing of the Union of Lublin, which took place on June 30 in Lublin.

President-elect of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda also attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition. During a meeting with media representatives, Speaker of the Seimas Marek Kuchcinski referred to the meeting with Gitanas Nauseda. - First of all, I congratulated the President on his victory and on this circumstance that four days after being sworn in he will arrive in Warsaw for his first visit. This is a very symbolic matter," Marek Kuchcinski noted.

On Saturday afternoon, just before the opening of the exhibition, Marshal of the Sejm Marek Kuchcinski took part in ceremonies dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Home Army's Operation "Ostra Brama", in Vilnius Calvary. This is the largest anniversary celebration of Operation "Ostra Brama" to date, with the participation of ...Polish Army, veterans from Poland, Lithuania, Belarus and other countries, anti-communist opposition activists, scouts,... organized by the Office for Veterans and Repressed Persons. The exceptional nature of this year's celebrations is also evidenced by the participation of a delegation from the Lithuanian parliament, for the first time ever.

- Along with the glory days, our nations have had many tragic events that destroyed our countries, their freedom and achievements. However, heroism and steadfastness were not destroyed. Today's 75th anniversary of the operation to liberate Vilnius after the codename "Ostra Brama" is a testament to this. Therefore, I would like to bow to all participants in this heroic Operation. It covered you with immortal glory and entered permanently into the history of heroism as a symbol of the sacrifice of the Polish Soldier," said Marshal Marek Kuchcinski to those gathered at the Vilnius Calvary.

- Today we are free and safe. We are trying to learn the right lessons from history. Today we are with Lithuania in a common defense alliance, the most powerful in the world - in NATO. Our place is forever in Europe, to which we have belonged together since the dawn of history. Let us always be together both in thought and action. Let us honor our heroes of the struggle for freedom. May they rest in eternal peace, surrounded by our honor, gratitude and prayers," Marek Kuchcinski stressed.

After the ceremony at the National Museum - Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, the Polish and Lithuanian delegations took part in a joint performance of the national anthem of the Republic of Lithuania - Tautiška giesmë - together with the World Lithuanian Community and the Ąžuoliukas boys' choir in the Main Courtyard of the Palace.

On Sunday, Speaker of the Sejm Marek Kuchcinski and a delegation attended Mass at the Church of the Holy Spirit. The visit to Vilnius ended with the laying of a wreath at the Mausoleum of Mother and Son's Heart on Rossa. Maria Pilsudska rests there, with the heart of her son Jozef laid to rest next to it in a crystal urn.

Photo by Marta Marchlewska

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Speech by the Speaker of the Sejm:

Speeches Speaker of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Mr. Marek Kuchcinski

 At the ceremonial exhibition of Jan Matejko's painting "Union of Lublin" in Vilnius, July 6, 2019.

Mr. President of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania,

The Most Honorable Mr. President Elect,

Dear Mr. President,

Most Venerable Archbishop,    
Ladies and Gentlemen Ministers, Members of the Seimas of the Republic of Poland and the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania,

Dear Sir General Commander of the Garrison of Warsaw,    
Dear Mr. Chancellor of the White Eagle Chapter,

Dear Sirs Directors,      
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honor for me, That I can be in Vilnius today
and represent the Polish Parliament on the day commemorating the great event
in Lithuania's history.

450 years ago we entered into union with Lithuania, looking to the future, but also respecting our heritage. Today, on the Day of Lithuanian Statehood Day we want to bow to this heritage
and celebrate the moment when Lithuania was born as a united state. This day when the royal crown rested on the temples of Prince Mindaugas, which was a information important to our neighbors
in the East as well as for all of Europe. It was a message that the Lithuanian nation takes its rightful place in the world, in the Western world,
In the world of Christian civilization. On this day of pride and joy, I would like to wish the the Lithuanian people my wishes for all prosperity.

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The essence of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was the equality of Lithuania in the Union, Where the meeting and merging of our two countries in the field, in the sphere of parliamentarism, foreign policy, defense and monetary policy. That is why we are today in Vilnius
With the great work of Jan Matejko, which combines all possible planes. It is a monumental work documenting
is a great event. It shows Polish-Lithuanian relations, crowned by the conclusion of the Union, as a certain continuity and process.

The process because some of the characters in the painting were no longer alive
at the time of the conclusion of the Union, but with their lives they contributed to its finalization finalization. The participation of the King, the Primate, the Clergy and the great figures of both nations and, above all, the cross shows that this is a great work.

Dear all, for the past week the celebration of the 450th anniversary of the Union of Lublin. In Poland, the celebrations took place in Lublin,
But also in Warsaw and many other cities. Many thanks to the Mayor of of the city of Lublin for his assistance in such a grand celebration.

The central ceremony was attended by Mr. President Viktoras Pranckietis. They were also attended by Presidents of Parliaments and representatives of parliaments whose lands are part of the part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from Moldova to Estonia. They were accompanied by conferences, symposia and discussions on the Lublin Union, its origins and heritage.

The Union of Lublin still amazes today with its momentum, its greatness and its novelty. This act established a state union of the King's Crown and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The Union of Lublin was based on a fundamental principle that determined its success.

This fundamental principle was voluntary and equality, which was most clearly defined by the then-originating the cry "equal with equal, free with free". Today this call we want to remind, looking at our modern times and the modern European Union European Union.

The factor that united the newly established state union and made it so strong was the citizens' identification with their state. A spiritual and cultural community was formed, a community of faith and values. It unleashed real creative powers and aroused the admiration of its neighbors. It liberated , and, above all, gave our ancestors security.

Nearly 400 years after the conclusion of the Union of Lublin the nations of Europe proceeded to create a new value in the last century,
which then developed and became a sort of successor to the
Union of Lublin. It is the European Union, which includes us, and which is also being pursued by some of our neighbors.

In those days, the common state triggered community and alliance thinking in us. And even though the Union no longer exists in the legal sense, this thinking is still present and contributes to the
to strengthen our cooperation, bilateral, regional and European and allied ties within the framework of the NATO pact, within the North Atlantic Alliance North Atlantic Alliance. We consider this a direct legacy of the great Union of Lublin. And I would like to wish you on behalf of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, that it remains so.

Thank you very much!

SPEECH DELIVERED in Vilnius Calvary, July 6, 2019.

Dear Ministers, Mr. and Mrs. Members of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland and the Sejm of RL,

Ms. Ambassador,
Venerable Participants of the Operation Ostra Brama, Veterans from Poland, Lithuania, Belarus and other countries, Venerable Activists of the anti-communist opposition,
Reverend Bishop, Venerable Priests and Clergy, Ladies and Gentlemen!

The year 2019 is a time of great annualsc for Poles
and Lithuanians. The events that took place here shaped us
and strengthened. The oldest anniversary of historical significance was the
450th anniversary of the Union of Lublin, which established the Republic of of Both Nations. Its conclusion was celebrated with many ceremonies, especially in Lublin, where homage to the Union was paid by the presidents and representatives of the Parliaments of countries in our part of Europe. From Moldova to Estonia.

Today we meet them in another Union - European Union.

Our nations have behind them, in addition to their days of glory, also many tragic events that destroyed our countries, their freedom and achievements.

However, it failed to destroy the heroism and steadfastness,
and today's 75th anniversary of the operation to liberate Vilnius After the code name "Ostra Gate" is a testament to this.

Therefore, I would like to bow to all participants of this heroic Action. It covered you ladies and gentlemen Veterans immortal glory and entered permanently into the history of heroism as a symbol of the sacrifice of the Polish Soldier. A soldier who, with the Soviets fought on Polish territory until 1963. We also remember that Lithuania fought against the Soviets until the late 1950s and also until 1963. It was a struggle of our peoples, representatives of our nations for independence and for honor.

Today we are free and safe. So we try to learn the right lessons from the past. We try to make sure that history does not repeat itself. Today we are with Lithuania in a common alliance defense, the most powerful in the world - in the North Atlantic Alliance.
Our place is always in Europe, to which we have belonged together since the dawn of our history, since the Baptism of Poland and the Baptism of Lithuania.

Let's be always together and in thought and action. Let's honor our heroes of the fight for freedom. May they rest in eternal peace, surrounded by our honor, gratitude and prayers.

Glory to the Heroes!