The Polish Post commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Gorzów August
On August 30 and 31, an anniversary commemoration of the events of 1982 will be held in Gorzów Wielkopolski, with the participation of representatives of the Polish Post. For the occasion, the company has issued a stamp commemorating the "Battle of the White Cross" in the city.
Maciej Jędrysik, the designer of the "40th Anniversary of the Gorzów August" stamp, included a color image of the tower of the Cathedral in Gorzów Wielkopolski, with black-and-white photos of a crowd of protesters and a line of the Motorized Reserves of the Citizens' Militia (ZOMO) in the background. This symbolic juxtaposition reflects the course of events. The stamp is accompanied by a First Day Cover (FDC) featuring a photo of the protesters being detained by civilian police officers and the shadow of the cathedral. The date stamp, meanwhile, shows a "white cross" against the background of a Gothic wall – a symbol of meetings and demonstrations, standing near the cathedral.
" One of the goals of philately is to promote individuals who, in their daily lives, were not afraid to fight for basic human rights, for which they were often harassed and imprisoned. The "40th Anniversary of the Gorzów August" issue is a tribute to the residents of Gorzów Wielkopolski who protested in 1982. Our task is not only to remember such moments, but also to remind them how difficult it was to achieve true freedom. The stamp is also a symbolic thank you for their steadfastness, loyalty to ideals, and the fight against totalitarianism, " says Wiesław Włodek, Vice President of Poczta Polska.
August 31, 1982, is a date associated with the last major uprising of the Solidarity trade union during martial law. A wave of anti-regime demonstrations swept across the country, with riots and fighting breaking out in many cities. In Gorzów Wielkopolski, social and national protests began at the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and escalated into a protest of thousands against the rule of Wojciech Jaruzelski's communist military junta and the suspension of the Solidarity trade union. Many historians consider this the largest uprising by the city's residents since 1945, and the largest in the entire Lubusz Voivodeship, known colloquially as the Battle of the White Cross.
During the solemn celebrations, a Holy Mass will be held and flowers will be laid at the White Cross of Solidarity.
About the stamp:
author of the project: Maciej Jędrysik
number of stamps: 1
value: ECONOMIC M
circulation: 1,000,000 pcs
printing technique: rotogravure
stamp format: 31.25 x 25.5 mm
paper: fluorescent
sales sheet: 100 stamps
date of introduction into circulation: August 30, 2022