March 1968 saw dramatic events at the University of Warsaw – student protests and their brutal pacification by the security apparatus of the Polish People’s Republic. On the 57th anniversary of those tragic days, a ceremony was held at the University’s main campus on Krakowskie Przedmieście to lay flowers under a plaque commemorating the events of March 1968.

Fifty-seven years ago, at noon sharp, a protest rally was held in the UW’s main courtyard by students and residents of Warsaw fighting for the restoration of academic freedom and civil liberties, relaxation of censorship and in defence of students expelled from the university for opposing the actions of the authorities of the time.

To commemorate these events, traditionally on 8th March at 12 pm, a solemn laying of flowers under the commemorative plaque took place at the UW campus on Krakowskie Przedmieście.

“We are meeting here, by the March plaque, to pay tribute to and recall the significance of those days in the history of Poland and of the University. This is a time for all of us to reflect on the legacy of March ‘68. May our remembrance of those events be both a warning and a source of inspiration to cherish and protect the rights and freedoms for which they were fought,” Robert Grey, the UW Chancellor, said welcoming the guests who attended the ceremony.

 

“Fifty-seven years ago, students, doctoral candidates and employees of the University told the authorities of the time that they did not want to live and function in the way they did. The young people of the University and beyond gathered then here at the University to talk about mutual respect, openness and dignity. The security apparatus of the Polish People’s Republic brutally suppressed the protests, but the events at the University started a wave of youth rebellion that reached other academic centres in the country. We must remember what happened and ensure that this history is never repeated. At the University, we care that, beyond the pursuit of truth, we respect each other, and that everyone who crosses the gates of the UW feels at home,” Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, the UW Rector, said.

 

The celebration was attended by Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, the Rector of the University of Warsaw, Prof. Sambor Grucza, the UW Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Human Resources, Prof. Ewa Krogulec, the UW Vice-Rector for Development, Prof. Zygmunt Lalak, the UW Vice-Rector for Research, Prof. Adam Niewiadomski, the UW Vice-Rector for Doctoral and Legal Affairs, Prof. Maciej Raś, the UW Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Quality of Teaching, Robert Grey, the UW Chancellor, Jacek Wiśnicki, the Deputy Mayor of the City of Warsaw, Dr Julian Srebrny from the NSZZ “Solidarność” UW Trade Union Commission, Mateusz Mossakowski,  President of the UW Students’ Union, Dominik Puchała, President of the UW Doctoral Student Union, UW employees, doctoral candidates and students, representatives of the NSZZ “Solidarność” including: Ewa Tomaszewska, Jacek Jezierski, Anna Ratajska, Lucyna Kwarcińska, Anna Owczarek, Małgorzata Gabara-Strzyż, participants of the 1968 protests and Warsaw residents.