Poland was a country in crisis in the early 1980s. The founding of the free trade union, Solidarity, in the Gdansk shipyard in August 1980, led to resistance to the Communist government. On 13^th December, 1981, General Jaruzelski declared martial law and the army took control of the country.

In Ireland a group of Polish people and Irish supporters in the Irish Polish Society organized protests and fund-raising events and sent over £250,000 worth of aid to Poland.

Local activists will tell their stories along with a video and protest music from the period by Polish folk-singer, Justyna (Szwarna) Kosmulska. Admission is free and open to all.

Information from Patrick Quigley: patquig2002@yahoo.com Tel: 0857133106

European Solidarity Centre, the Irish Polish Society and the Embassy of Poland in Dublin present exhibition entitled ‘History from behind Iron Curtain’

The exhibition can be viewed in the EU House (18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2) on Mon – Fri from 9am to 5pm until 18 December.  

The exhibition is organized to commemorate the 20. anniversary of the 1989 developments in Poland and Eastern Europe.
It presents modern history from 1945 to date with a particular focus on the role of Solidarity and its influence on the geopolitical changes in Europe and around the globe. Its object is to present Polish history in consideration of the European context.

The exhibition is divided into the following thematic blocks:

• post-1945 Europe,
• Everyday life behind the Iron Curtain,
• Social protests in Poland…
• …and in other countries,
• The birth of Solidarity,
• Martial Law in Poland,
• Sovereignty in Europe,
• The European Solidarity Centre in Gdańsk

The exhibition can be viewed in the EU House (18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2) on Mon – Fri from 9am to 5pm until 18 December.  

We look forward to seeing you there.