Szczecin is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of signing the August Agreement and establishing The Independent and Self-governing Trade Union (NSZZ) “Solidarity.” The celebrations begin on 18 August. The major events will take place between 26 and 30 August.

In August 1980 strike committees in Szczecin, Gdańsk, Jastrzębie-Zdrój and the Katowice Steelworks signed agreements with the Government. These were the beginnings of a great social movement, the ten-million-strong NSZZ “Solidarity.” Nobody imagined the dimensions of the changes in Poland and Europe that were to come in the following decades. Thirty years after these events we can remember these past days and their significance for not just our country, but for the whole of Eastern Europe, expressing our memory and respect for the people who won our freedom.

The celebrations will be inaugurated on 18 August in front of the City Hall with “The Szczecin August ‘80” exhibition organised by the Institute of National Remembrance. Re-enactments featuring the Citizen’s Militia will bring back memories from 30 years back.

Another unique event in Szczecin will be The Freedom Symphony Tribute to Solidarity – a concert and multimedia event organised by the XIII MUZ Club in the Summer Theatre on 26 August.