“The Light of Freedom” – the fortieth anniversary of the enactment of martial law – Ministry of Education and Science

Illuminate the #Light of Freedom – IPN Social Campaign

We encourage all educational institutions in Poland and abroad, universities and other institutions related to education and science to join the “Light of Freedom” campaign. Candles will be lit in the windows of schools, universities, offices, public institutions as well as homes and apartments on Monday, December 13th at 7:30 pm. As part of the initiative, you can also turn on the virtual freedom light National Memorial Institute website .

Social activity “Victims of Martial Law. The Light of Freedom” It was started a few years ago by the National Remembrance Institute. It refers to the gesture with which Poles and other inhabitants of the free world expressed their opposition to the brutal policy of the communist authorities in the early 1980s.

As a sign of solidarity with people oppressed by the Internet and their families, Pope John Paul II lit a candle in the window of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican. US President Ronald Reagan called for a similar gesture of unity with the Poles living under martial law. Then he said: “May the light of millions of candles in American homes be a testimony that the light of freedom cannot be extinguished.”

We invite you to participate in this year’s “Light of Freedom” campaign President Andrzej Duda.

“Children of Martial Law” – educational materials

“Children of Martial Law” is a scenario of activities intended for eighth-grade students in primary school. The materials were prepared by experts from the Institute of National Remembrance. The scheme is supplemented by the information in the brochure of didactic materials for the elementary exhibition “Martial Law 1981-1983”. It is available on the side.

Celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the enactment of martial law

On the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the enactment of martial law, the National Remembrance Institute will organize a concert that recalls the atmosphere of the 80s. It will be a musical story about one of the darkest periods in the history of the People’s Republic of Poland. The repertoire includes works that reflect the atmosphere of the period – full of anxiety, but also a struggle for freedom.

The concert will be broadcast live on TVP 1 from 20.15 and retransmitted on TVP 2. Broadcasts will also be available on IPNtv channels And on the IPN profile on the portal Facebook social networking site.

The Education Office of the National Remembrance Institute is also preparing an animated film dedicated to martial law. The goal of the project is to show the public’s opposition to the attempt to suppress “solidarity” and the struggle of the Poles for freedom. The anime premieres on December 13th.
Learn more about the 40th Anniversary Initiatives martial law.