Tuesday 11th November is National Independence Day (Narodowe Święto Niepodległości), a national holiday in Poland, when Poles commemorate the 107th anniversary of the restoration of Poland’s sovereignty as the Second Polish Republic in 1918, after 123 years of partition
Across the country homes, buildings, streets, even buses and trams will be bedecked in the red and white national colours proudly displaying the national flag, including a 22m flag draped over Kościuszko Mound, whilst the Bernatka footbridge and Tauron arena will be illuminated in red and white.
In Kraków the main Independence Day events are:-
9.30am
Flowers will be laid at the Monument to the Soldiers of Fighting Poland (Żołnierzy Polski Walczącej) in Powiśle.
10am Independence Day Mass & Parade (1130am) – Wawel Cathedral to Pl Matejko
The traditional Mass. will be held in Wawel Cathedral. At the conclusion of the mass, (approx 1130am) Polish flags will be distributed in the cathedral square then the Independence Day military parade will begin from the Wawel Hill pausing at the Katyn Cross, (1145am approx) where wreaths will be laid. The parade continues along the ‘Royal Route’, ul. Grodzka, to the main square and via Florianska to pl. Matejko.
11.00am to 3.00pm Display of uniformed services vehicles at Barbakan/Matejki Square.
12.15pm
Ceremonies in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with the participation of the Polish Army. The program includes: playing of the national anthem, presentation of state decorations and certificates granting Polish citizenship, laying of wreaths, parade of representative vehicles of uniformed services and horse formations along Basztowa Street.
1.30pm
Military pea soup will be served on Planty by Barbikan.
12.00pm
The national anthem will be played from the tower of Mariacki church and sung by those present on the square.
12.00pm
Rynek – Polish ‘white and red singing hits’
Following the singing of the national anthem, the public are invited to sing along to traditional Polish hits with well know Polish singers, leading the proceedings on stage. “Ogólnopolskie śpiewanie biało-czerwonych przebojów”.
11.11am Krakow Independence Run, Błonia.
The Krakow Independence Run (Krakowskim Biegiem Niepodległości), an historic 11 km route, a charity event, with more than 2000 runners.
For more information visit – Krakow Independence Run – history, purpose, road information
5.00pm – 7.00pm ‘Joy of Independence’ „Radosna niepodległości” Singing Lesson
The 93rd Krakow Singing Lesson, will take place on the Rynek, led by performers from Loch Camelot cabaret. Songbooks will be given out to help you sing along.
You can read more about it here.
1030 – 1430 – Patriotic Tram
Once again, for the 37th time, the “Patriotic Tram”(tramwaj patriotyczny) will travel through Kraków. On the tram young Poles from school choirs will sing patriotic songs. Passengers are encouraged to join in and will be handed song books, flags, badges, and leaflets to help get them in the mood. The tram will run around Planty from 10:30 until 14:30. Route: Poczta Główna, Plac Wszystkich Świętych, Filharmonia, Bagatela, Basztowa, Długa, Dworzec Towarowy, Dworzec Główny, Poczta Główna, with possible detours due to official ceremonies at Matejki Square. Free travel.
Google ‘Doodle’
Check out the Google Doodle to mark the occasion. (This was the 2024 ‘doodle’ check Google on 11th for this years.)
PROTESTS FROM RIGHT WING ELEMENTS, IS IT SAFE?
Will there be right wing, (extreme or not) elements on the streets of Krakow? – This has been much less of an issue here in Kraków than Warsaw.,
Fortunately, Krakow has been free from the more extreme violent disorder caused by the extreme right wing groups which have, at times, afflicted Warsaw in past years. Even in Warsaw, the parades have been free from larger scale disorder for the past few years, which hopefully will continue. There is always a large Police presence, fortunately these events have mostly, (if not always), passed off without violence in Kraków.
In our opinion, there is no reason to stay at home or be afraid, based on some media reports, yes, there has been trouble in the past, though mostly confined to the Warsaw event.
Go out, enjoy the various events and parades and join the important traditional Polish celebrations of their Independence.
Images from Previous Independence Day Parade
© David McGirr
Changes in road traffic organisation
A parking ban will be introduced on Paderewskiego, Basztowa Streets (from Zacisze Street to Matejki Square) and Matejki Square, from: 07.00–15.00. Designated places will also be banned. Additionally, due to the passage of the patriotic procession to Matejki Square, temporary traffic interruptions are possible.
If you’re a driver, don’t forget to pay for your parking. With effect from this year, Independence day is no longer included as one of the holidays when parking tickets re not required. (on the following holidays, you don’t need to pay for parking; New Years day, 2nd day of Easter, All Saints Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and boxing day)
Independence Day is also a national holiday with many shops and businesses closed. Worry not, you’ll always find a Żabka!
Parking Fees – A wee reminder that you do have to pay parking fees on 11th November. With effect from last year Independence Day was removed from the list of free parking holiday days.
A Scot in Kraków. The founder and editor of Kraków Expats Directory, and our sister sites Kraków TV and Kraków Stories Podcast.
David fell in love with Kraków 25 years ago, making it his home in 2011.
In 2020 he was awarded the title of Kraków’s Ambassador of Multiculturalism, by the President of Kraków, and is also a member of the GlobalScot network, representing Scottish culture and business abroad.
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