The Polish Post commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw

On August 13, a ceremonial presentation of the stamps from the "100th Anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw" issue and the prepared exhibition took place at the headquarters of the Polish Post in Warsaw, with the participation of Mariusz Błaszczak, Minister of National Defence, and Tomasz Zdzikot, President of the Management Board of the Polish Post.

Starting today, post offices in Warsaw, Wrocław, Gorzów Wielkopolski, and Katowice will also be hosting an exhibition dedicated to the postal workers who took part in the fight against the Bolshevik invaders. In August, we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw – one of the most important events in the history of our country and Europe.

The Battle of Warsaw in 1920 is undoubtedly one of the most important military engagements in European history. A hundred years ago, troops commanded by Commander-in-Chief Józef Piłsudski conducted a famous maneuver that allowed the Republic of Poland to maintain its recently regained independence. It is also important to note that, thanks to the efforts of the Polish army, the Bolshevik invasion of the entire Old Continent was halted. The outcome of the Battle in August 1920 changed the course of history and turned back the hands of the Marxist clock. It is worth recalling the words of the distinguished soldier, General Louis Augustin Joseph Faury, who in his 1928 article summarized the events of 100 years ago: "Over two hundred years ago, under the walls of Vienna, Poland saved the Christian world from the Turkish threat. On the Vistula and the Niemen, this noble nation once again rendered an underappreciated service to the civilized world." The Battle of Warsaw is a testament to the triumph of the Polish army and a great victory of the Polish Nation , says Mariusz Błaszczak, Minister of National Defence.

The stamp's designer, Roch Stefaniak, depicted Jerzy Kossak's 1930 painting "Miracle on the Vistula" from the collection of the Royal Castle in Warsaw. He also used individual frames from this work on the stamps. The 6.60 złoty note in the block features Father Ignacy Skorupka. The remaining 3.30 złoty stamps depict a soldier stabbing a Russian banner with a bayonet, a girl from the Women's Volunteer League, mounted generals with Józef Piłsudski, and Our Lady of Grace – the patron saint of Warsaw. In addition to the stamp, Poczta Polska issued a limited edition First Day Cover (FDC) envelope. It features Edward Słoński's 1920 poem " The Battle for Warsaw ."

"Poczta Polska is the largest infrastructure company in the country, professionally carrying out the tasks entrusted to it every day. The post office is also one of the symbols of statehood and a bearer of the most important principles and values. Thanks to its philatelic activities, our company has the opportunity to commemorate the most momentous events in the history of the Republic of Poland and their heroes. In August 1920, the Polish Army won the Battle of Warsaw – thus protecting Europe from the threat posed not only to Poland but to the entire civilized world by Bolshevik Russia. Without this triumph, the independence wrested from the occupiers, a longing of generations of Poles, would have come to an end, " says Tomasz Zdzikot, President of the Management Board of Poczta Polska. "By introducing a stamp commemorating the Battle of Warsaw, we are paying tribute to all those who made the Second Polish Republic possible – outstanding commanders, brave officers, and steadfast soldiers. For years, the halt of the Bolshevik advance was remembered in hushed tones. I sincerely hope that the postal stamp honoring the heroes of those days will significantly contribute to the splendour of this year's celebrations , adds Tomasz Zdzikot.

"This is a very valuable initiative by the Polish Post and President Tomasz Zdzikot to issue stamps commemorating the victory and showcasing the glory of the Polish military. Thank you very much for commemorating this great victory. It's important that postage stamps feature material about the Battle of Warsaw. This will help spread knowledge about this great victory, " emphasizes Mariusz Błaszczak.

The Post Office also created an exhibition devoted to the Battle of Warsaw and the Postmen who took part in it.

" This exhibition is launching today and will be available nationwide. We also conducted a survey among our employees. We asked them to search their family archives, recall their family stories related to this event, and share them with all of us, with our clients, with the Polish people, " adds Tomasz Zdzikot.

The materials used in the production of each board were obtained from, among others, the collections of the National Digital Archives and the Archive Department of the Polish Post. The presented collections include such unique documents as nearly a century-old personnel files of employees from the Post and Telegraph Districts. The exhibition will be presented in nine Polish cities. From August 13th to September 13th of this year, in Warsaw, Wrocław, Gorzów Wielkopolski, and Katowice, and from September 18th to October 18th of this year, in Gdańsk, Bydgoszcz, Łódź, Toruń, and Lublin.

Recently, the Company also introduced a stamp dedicated to Colonel Jan Kowalewski, an outstanding cryptologist who significantly contributed to the triumph of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the war against the Bolsheviks.

The ceremony on August 13th was also attended by Brigadier General Dr. Józef Guzdek, Field Bishop of the Polish Army; Prof. Dr. Hab. Wiesław Wysocki, Head of the Department of 19th and 20th Century History at the Institute of History at Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, who served as a substantive consultant for the philatelic issue; Dr. Hab. Sławomir Cencikiewicz, Director of the Military Historical Office, which presented unique documents regarding the activities of Lieutenant Colonel Jan Kowalewski at the ceremony; and Andrzej Bodziony, Vice President of the Polish Post Office responsible for philately.

This and other philatelic publications of Poczta Polska can be purchased at post offices and online store: www.filatelistyka.poczta-polska.pl .