Duda launches centenary of independence celebrations

His speech to the National Assembly, or the joint houses of parliament, officially started year-long commemorations of the anniversary.

Poland's Independence Day is held on 11 November, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War One and paved the way to Poland's return to the map of Europe after more than 120 years of partitions.

The fifth of December marks 150 years since the birth of Marshal Józef Piłsudski, a statesman and military leader who is seen as a key architect of Poland’s independence.

To find out more about the Marshal and Poland's independence, Michał Owczarek talked to professor Jerzy Gaul, author of a recently published book about Józef Piłsudski.

“The answer to the question “Who was Piłsudski?” depends on who you ask… He had many faces but one thing is certain: from the onset, his most important goal was the independent state,” prof. Gaul said.