Celebration to mark success of European Solidarity Centre’s Permanent Exhibition held in Gdańsk, Poland

On 31 August, the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk (Poland), hosted a Local Award Ceremony to mark the success of the Permanent Exhibition of the Centre in the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2021. The ceremony took place within the context of the “Freedom Days” , organised by the European Solidarity Centre every year to commemorate the anniversary of the freedom revolutions of 1989-1991 and of the collapse of the Soviet Union. The event included the participation of influential politicians, such as the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lech Wałęsa, journalists and human rights activists.

The ceremony took place on the morning of 31 August, directly following the symbolic and ceremonial opening of Gate No. 2, which marks the beginning of the “Freedom Days”celebrations. Basil Kerski, the Director of the Centre, and Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, the Mayor of Gdansk, and the Marshal of the Pomorskie Voivodeship, Mieczysław Struk, each spoke about the value of the Award to the audience assembled in the European Solidarity Centre’s Winter Garden.

Uwe Koch, a Member of the European Heritage Awards Jury and President of Europa Nostra Germany, delivered a speech underlining the importance of cultural heritage as a key element of Europe’s society and economy, and as a central element of our identity.

Vera Jourova, the Vice-President of the European Commission, unveiled the bronze awards plaque, which has been given a special place in the Permanent Exhibition for which it was awarded.