1918 marked a special moment in Polish history: after 123 years of absence from the map of Europe, deprived of statehood, and with its cultural identity endangered, Poland regained its independence. The 100th anniversary of Poland regaining its independence is being celebrated throughout the country, but also abroad with events and initiatives taking place that commemorate 11 November 1918.

White and red illuminations appeared on the most important structures in the world. It is not every day that the Leaning Tower of Pisa or Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates are illuminated in white and red. Poland’s national colors lit up the most important buildings and structures all around the world as we share this important anniversary with people in other countries. Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Christ the King in Lisbon, the Television Tower in Prague, Three Crosses in Vilnius, Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Museum of Australian Democracy in Canberra are among the dozens of structures that were be illuminated.

Image courtesy pixabay.com

Have you heard of “100 for 100 – Musical Decades of Freedom”?

This is the flagship music initiative of the “Niepodległa” program – 100 pieces composed by Polish composers for the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining its independence. The “100 for 100” list includes compositions created from 1918 to the present day. The culmination will be 22 concerts, 11 in Poland and 11 abroad, which will take place today, on November 11th 2018. Polish songs will be performed in Chicago, New York, London, Paris, Milan, Vienna, Frankfurt am Main, Copenhagen, Lviv, Tokyo and Melbourne. Each concert will begin with a one-minute “Fanfare for the Independent Poland,” Penderecki’s new composition for wind instruments, timpani and percussion, written for the anniversary. Some of them already happened, some are about to start.

Can’t wait to watch them online!

Happy Independence Day!