The year 2021 marks the 103 anniversary of the victorious Powstanie Wielkopolskie / Greater Poland Uprising 1918-1919 against Germans who had occupied Wielkopolska. 27th of December was established as the national day of the Greater Poland Uprising.

Poland’s 3 neighbours – Russia, Prussia and Austria had conspired to slowly take over the Polish territory. In 1773 the Prussians took Greater Poland and entered Poznań. 2 years later Poland ceased to exist.

Watch the film about it (English subtitles):

The Uprising lasted 52 days. It was sparked by Ignacy Paderewski who had said in Poznań on December 26th 1918: „After years of suppression, Poland is rising again! Long live Polish accord and unity! A free and united Poland, with access to the sea, will live forever!”

As a result of the Uprising the Greater Poland, the oldest part of the country, was freed by Poles themselves, after 123 years of German occupation.

The uprising was crucial for the freedom of Poland, which restored the cradle of the state – Wielkopolska, back to Poland.

Natalia Jasińska