"White & Red" celebrated in Poland
On May 2, Poland celebrates the Flag Day. The holiday was established in 2004.
Historically, the colours of Poland's national flag are derived from the colours of the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Poland and of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (see: NOTE), the White Eagle, which is Poland's emblem, and the Pursuer of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, a white knight riding a white horse, both on a red shield.
According to Polish law the national symbols, including the flag, have to be treated "with reverence and respect", which is the "right and obligation" of every Polish citizen and all state organs, institutions and organizations. "Public disrespect, destruction or intentional removal of the flag is considered a crime punishable by a fine, penal servitude or up to one year of imprisonment", states the law.
The current Polish flag was adopted on February 9, 1990. Its colors have been white and red since 1831 when the country first proclaimed independence from Russia, yet it was not until August 1, 1919 that the red over white flag was first officially adopted in fully independent Poland.
The white colour symbolizing peace on Poland's flag is on top as according to Polish heraldry more important is the colour of the emblem than the colour of its background.
The red colour is believed to symbolize the blood shed in the country's fight for independence.
National observances marking the National Day of the Flag will include as:
- PM Beata Szydlo attending National Day of the Flag observances, addresses the gathering, meets local residents (1030 hrs, Ryczow, southern Poland)
- National Flag hoisting ceremony held in front of the Presidential Palace in the presence of National Security Bureau (BBN) head Pawel Soloch (1115 hrs)
- Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz attending the National Flag hoisting gala at the Royal Castle (1115 hrs)
- President Andrzej Duda laying a wreath at the Monument to Marshall Jozef Pilsudski at the Belvedere Palace (1145 hrs)
- President Andrzej Duda presenting state distinctions and National Flags to organisations operating in Poland and abroad (1200 hrs, Belvedere Palace)
- Mass for the Homeland (1800 hrs, Polish Army Field Cathedral)
(PAP)
NOTE: Polish - Lithuanian Commonwealth was the XVI - XVIII centrury Polish-Lithuanian state composed of the Crown - Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, considered a precursor to modern democratic system such as federation, constitutional monarchy.
