Poland in Libya

In connection with this year’s 40th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, the Institute of National Remembrance invites you for the ninth time to participate in the social campaign "In Tribute To Victims of Martial Law. Light the Light of Freedom ” by placing a lit candle in the window on December 13 and expressing solidarity with the victims of Martial Law. You can also light a virtual candle at: www.swiatlowolnosci.ipn.gov.pl.

The campaign refers to the gesture of solidarity that masses of the inhabitants of the free world made towards Poles living under Martial Law on Christmas Eve 1981. US President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II called for symbolic lights to be placed in the windows.

In his Christmas address, the US President mentioned Poles suffering under the communist regime and addressed the Americans, saying: "Let the light of millions of candles in American homes be of notice that the light of freedom cannot be extinguished." That winter, candles were lit in the window of the White House and in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. Poles similarly expressed their opposition to the brutal policy of the communist authorities.

This year's campaign is held under the National Patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, on the Centenary of Regaining Independence. We invite you to read his message below.

The 40th anniversary of the imposition of martial law is approaching. Back then, the communist regime declared war on the Polish people. Thousands of "Solidarity" activists were imprisoned, those who fought for freedom were removed from their work and universities, and brutally beaten as the regime attempted to quench the protests. Some of them even lost their lives.

We remember all the victims, we remember those repressed under martial law. We remember the Heroes! Their courage and strength eventually brought down communism, and Poland regained its freedom. They take credit for the fact that today we live in our own sovereign, democratic state.

As a sign of this remembrance, on December 13, let us light up the Light of Freedom in the windows of our homes. Let its flame remind us of the victims. Let it remind us of the victorious struggle against enslavement and of regaining a free Poland.

President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda