In his speech, Minister Zbigniew Rau noted that the logotype refers to the values that Polish society holds most dear: solidarity and freedom. “It makes us realise, in an extremely expressive and minimalistic manner, that solidarity is the brand of our identity (...). Over the past year, each of us who had the opportunity to talk to foreigners, has the belief that we have been displaying solidarity on a daily basis. We are not dragging our feet or thinking twice - we show it driven by the need of our hearts, by opening our hearts and homes to our neighbours from Ukraine, who defend their dignity and count on our solidarity,” said the foreign minister during the launch event.

The logotype commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is universal enough to be used in all initiatives that demonstrate Poland’s solidarity, support to those in need, and engagement in international fora. The mark, designed in over 20 language versions, is inspired by the iconic logotype of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity” and will be used both by Poland’s diplomatic missions around the world and by the central government administration.

Its author, Czesław Bielecki, EngD, is a columnist, architect, “Solidarity” member, prominent activist of the anti-communist underground, and a political prisoner of the Polish People's Republic era. He is the author of the famous 1980 poster “Cardiogram of Solidarity”, which until this day is on display at the main exhibition in the European Solidarity Centre. In free Poland, Czesław Bielecki designed, among other pieces, the monument to commemorate the Home Army’s “Żywiciel” units at Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw, Polish public TV broadcaster’s headquarters in Warsaw, and the famous monument to Poles who saved Jews in Łódź.

 

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Spokesperson