  The
Polish August of 1980 – made memorable
through the worker protests in Baltic coast
cities and the emergence of Solidarity –
became one of the most important milestones
in the history of our country and one of the
key turning points in the modern history of
the world. The strikers, fighting for the
dignity of their toil, challenged the
foundations of a system based on the
domination of the communist party in all
spheres of public life. Their successful
struggle triggered transformations in the
whole Soviet bloc and left an imprint across
the globe. Much indicates that if Lech
Walesa had not scaled the fence of the
Gdansk Shipyard in August 1980 – the Berlin
Wall would have long remained a mark of
divided Europe.
August 1980 became one of the great symbols
of the end of the 20th century, the
white-and-red logo of Solidarity – an
ubiquitous icon, and the Union’s leader –
soon to become a Nobel Prize winner – a man
readily associated with the Polish
contribution to the overthrow of communism.
The events of the years 1980-1989 became
etched in the memories of millions of people
as a period of human solidarity and hope for
a better, more just future.
The founding of Solidarity , the drama of
martial law, the tenacious struggle for
truth and justice, the rules of social
dialog worked out during the Round Table
talks - all of these are seen today as
historic events.
The atmosphere of those
times has been preserved in many accounts,
reminiscences and works of art. This
testimony to the strength and determination
of Poles deserves special attention today,
on the 25th anniversary of the August
protests, when the true image of the events
connected with the emergence of Solidarity
and the role of the Union in the historic
transformations of today’s world is losing
its distinctness.
Marek Pernal
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