Polish President Duda attends concert marking dawn of Solidarity

The so-called Gdańsk Accords of 31 August 1980 followed a historic strike at the Baltic city's shipyard. Participants, led by Lech Wałęsa, hammered out a 21-point deal with Poland's then communist rulers whereby independent trade unions were permitted, as was the right to strike, while various political prisoners were released.

During Saturday's concert President Duda joined on stage the current head of the Solidarity trade union Piotr Duda (no relation).

“I did not take part in Solidarity, but I am happy that with us today are those who were forged as adults by Solidarity, as workers, as those who wanted to feel that they lived in a free county that is not enslaved, in a country that has a true sense of community, rather that one in which people rat on each other,” the president said.

“They stood firm then and built Solidarity, which led to the fact that Poland came out from behind the Iron Curtain and became a sovereign, independent state in the true sense of the word.”

Among those playing at Saturday's commemorative gig were 1980s counter-culture rocker Tomek Lipiński, as well as international pop veterans such as Boney M and Chris de Burgh.

Former president Lech Wałesa, who has had a bumpy relationship with the Solidarity trade union in its modern incarnation, did not attend the 35th anniversary celebrations. He is currently in Africa and returns to Poland on Tuesday. (nh/rk)

Source: PAP