Wrocław Freedom 2025 [REPORT]
On Friday, 13 June 2025, a ceremony was held, during which 34 people were honoured with the ‘Wrocław Freedom’ badge for their activity in opposition before 1989.
‘Wrocław Freedom’ badge is awarded to the people, who were members of the University of Wrocław community and fought for freedom, truth, justice and human dignity during the communist dictature.
The guests were welcomed in the Oratorium Marianum by the Rector of the University of Wrocław, prof. dr hab. Robert Olkiewicz, and the Chairperson of the “Wrocław Freedom” Chapter, prof. dr hab. Jan Sobczyk.
A part of the ceremony, which took the audience back to the 1980s, was a performance by the ‘Gaudium’ choir, featuring soloist Artur Caturian, under the direction of prof. Alan Urbanek.
But before that, the guests could listen to a lecture by prof. Jakub Tyszkiewicz.
Prof. Jakub Tyszkiewicz is a prize winner of the ninth ‘Książka Historyczna Roku’ contest, in ‘Najlepsza książka naukowa poświęcona dziejom Polski i Polaków w XX wieku’ category. “Rozbijanie monolitu. Polityka Stanów Zjednoczonych wobec Polski 1945-1988” is his prize-winning book, in which he describes United States’ politics towards communist-dominated Poland, just like he did in his lecture during the ceremony.
The ceremony was hosted by UWr spokesperson, Katarzyna Górowicz-Maćkiewicz.
List of people who were honoured with the “Wrocław Freedom” badge:
Krzysztof Albin
He was a part of anti-communism opposition in Wrocław from 1982. He took part in the demonstrations during the martial law. A colporteur of independent publishing houses. From 1985, a member of the ‘Freedom and Peace’ movement, co-organised a hunger strike in Podkowa Leśna (1985). Between 1986 and 1989 co-founder of the ‘Dwunastka’ group, that stood by the legalization of the Independent Students’ Association (NZS) and organised strikes at UWr. Between 1987 and 1990 co-author and press spokesman of ‘Orange Alternative’ movement and editor of ‘Prolet’ newspaper. Detained multiple times by the Security Service (SB).
Dariusz Boho
Law student at the University of Wrocław in the 1980s. Active member of NZS, organiser of the underground press distribution, messenger between Warsaw and Kraków. Member of an editorial staff of ‘CDN’ underground magazine. He documented the student strike at UWr in 1988. After graduation, he was an Independent Self-Governing Trade Union ‘Solidarity’ member, then he worked in the police, public administration and as a local journalist.
Liliana Cosel (née Rzemykowska)
Graduated from University of Wrocław law school in 1990. During her studies, she was an active member of NZS, took part in oppositional actions and organisation of the ‘Orange Alternative’. She distributed leaflets and helped those, who were detained by SB. In 1989, she co-organised the ‘Festival of Independent Czechoslovak Culture’.
Andrzej Dąbrowski
Faculty of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Wrocław employee. Between 1081 and 1989, he was involved in activity for ‘Solidarity’ in Wrocław. He took part in strikes and manifestations. He co-organised help for families of the repressed people. From December 1991 to his retirement, he was the chairman of a ‘Solidarity’ committee of the University of Wrocław.
Jacek Drobny (posthumously)
Geography and philosophy student at the University of Wrocław (1977-1988). Opposition member – co-founder of the ‘New Culture’ Movement, organiser of the solidarity strikes, editor and distributor of underground publications. Interned during the martial law (1982). Founder of the Student Self-Government at the University of Wrocław. Underground NZS member, student self-education activist. Honoured with the Cross of Freedom and Solidarity in 2013.
Marta and Józef Drobny claimed the badge on his behalf.
Dariusz Duda
Administration student at the University of Wrocław (1985-1990). Member of the underground NZS board at the Faculty of Law and Administration, printer and distributor of the underground press. Took part in the student strikes (1988, 1989), co-organised the public activity of NZS. Honoured with the Gold Cross of Merit in 2010.
Piotr Gaglik
Senior teaching assistant at the Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Wrocław, between 1984 and 1989. Involved in the oppositional activity, by cooperating with NZS on his faculty, during the PRL era. Also, a member of the ‘Solidarity Fighting Party’ movement. Under a pseudonym, ‘Jan Roński’, he published articles in the underground press, including magazines like ‘Z dnia na dzień’ and ‘Ogniwo’. His flat was one of the meeting places for the oppositional activists.
Beata Giermek (née Wojciechowska)
Pedagogy student at the University of Wrocław. In the second half of the 1980s, under her maiden name (Wojciechowska), she was involved in the activity of the ‘Freedom and Peace’ movement – a student initiative that opposed compulsory military service, nuclear weapons experiments and the government’s interference in citizens’ lives.
Ewa Gurbiel
University of Wrocław graduate (1970), Doctor of Mathematics (1979), academic staff member at the University of Wrocław (1970-2013). In 1968, she took part in a sit-in strike at UWr and the 1982 manifestation. During the martial law, she cooperated with ‘Solidarity’ in Lower Silesia, was a member of the underground publishing movement, organised meetings of the opposition and helped those, who were interned.
Lothar Herbst (posthumously)
Polish poet, philologist, democratic opposition activist in Wrocław. Graduate of Polish studies at UWr (1967), later employed at the University, until 1992. Editor of students’ and underground press (such as ‘Solidarność Dolnośląska’, ‘Obecność’, ‘Walka’). In the 1970s and 1980s, a member of the opposition, the Workers’ Defence Committee, the Movement for Defence of Human and Civil Rights and ‘Solidarity’. Interned during the martial law, arrested and repressed. Author of various books of poetry, for example ‘Pejzaże’ (1970), ‘Przypisy do człowieka’ (1971), ‘Wyznania’ (1981). Honoured with Order of Polonia Restituta (Officer’s and Knight’s Cross).
His son, Krystian Herbst, claimed the badge on his behalf.
Krzysztof Kawalec
From 1977 he was a collaborator of the Student Solidarity Committee at the University of Wrocław. Autumn of 1980, he was a co-founder of NZS UWr and NZS University Press. From June 1982, he was a ‘Solidarity Fighting Party’ activist. Between 1982 and 1984, he was an owner of a print point, from where the underground press was distributed and magazines like ‘Solidarność Walcząca’ or ‘Biuletyn Dolnośląski’ were printed.
Urszula Kochanowska
Polish studies student at the University of Wrocław in the 1980s, ‘Freedom and Peace’ activist. Involved in protesting against compulsory military service and repressions towards the opposition. Particularly active in helping repressed miners and their families after the 1988 strikes. Her activity was a significant part of the citizens’ movement against violence and authoritarianism in the PRL era.
Bogusław Kokurewicz (posthumously)
Active member of the underground ‘Solidarity’ in Wrocław (1981-1988). Cooperated with the UWr Strike Committee and the Regional Strike Committee of Lower Silesia. He organised shelter for the activists, who had to hide. He also brought and kept the equipment required to transmit the underground radio broadcasts. He was a messenger between local and regional structures and organised contact with the delegations abroad.
His son, Tomasz Kokurewicz, claimed the badge on his behalf.
Tomasz Kokurewicz
Deputy chairman of NZS during his biology studies at the University of Wrocław, co-organiser of the student strikes in 1981. Messenger of ‘Radio Solidarity Wrocław’, responsible for delivering parts and funds to produce transmitters. Organiser of a small underground printing house and distributor of the underground press. Arrested in 1982, interned in a camp in Głogów. After his release, he was kept under surveillance and questioned.
Aleksander Koll
University of Wrocław, Faculty of Chemistry graduate. Department of Physical Chemistry employee. In the 1970s a member of the Polish Teacher’s Union. From 1980. The chairman of ‘Solidarity’ at the Faculty of Chemistry UWr. Interned in 1982, for organising a protest against the martial law. After his dismissal, he became involved in community action, for example, he promoted the idea of 11 November being a state holiday. Honoured with the Cross of Freedom and Solidarity.
Marek Krukowski
Graduated from the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Wrocław. Anti-communism opposition activist: repressed from 1976, co-founder of NZS at the Medical Academy (currently: Wrocław Medical University), participant of strikes and hunger strikes in the 1980s, ‘Freedom and Peace’ activist. After 1996, an academic staff member at the Academy of Agriculture (currently: Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences). Author of environmental expertise and co-author of “Atlas terenów zalewowych doliny Odry”.
Mirosława Kubasiewicz
Oppositional activist in the 1980s, English studies student at the University of Wrocław. Her flat was the centre of oppositional meetings. Messenger of the Regional Strike Committee, translator of underground press and organiser of ‘Freedom and Peace’ seminars. Cooperated with pacifist organisations of the Western Europe.
Zbigniew Kurpios (posthumously)
‘Solidarity’ member from 1980. Messenger and distributor of information and the underground press. Organised flats for activists, who needed shelter. In 1983, I was detained and questioned by the SB. In 1989, a member of the event protection personnel was present during Lech Wałęsa’s visit to the University of Wrocław.
His wife, Anna Kurpios, claimed the badge on his behalf.
Piotr Maciejewski (posthumously)
University of Wrocław, Faculty of Historical Sciences graduate. NZS activist, member of the underground publishing house, ‘Profil’. After 1989, he still contributed to the publications of ‘Profil’, especially the series of Wrocław ‘Solidarity’ activists’ biographies. He was the president of the Lubiąż Foundation for many years and involved in protecting the monuments.
Andrzej Manasterski
History student at the University of Wrocław (1985-1990), distributor of underground press, ‘Solidarity’ leaflets and NZS. He participated in demonstrations and strikes at the University of Wrocław between 1985 and 1989. After the arrest of the ‘Solidarity Fighting Party’ leader, he conducted leaflet actions. Honoured with ‘Niezłomni’ medal in 2015.
Andrzej Morawiecki (posthumously)
Doctor of biological sciences (habilitated), president of the Department of Microbiology at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, in the 1990s. Activist of underground ‘Solidarity’ committee during the martial law.
Dr Joanna Łubocka, prof. UWr, vice-dean for Student Affairs at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, claimed the badge on his behalf.
Sławomir Krzysztof Opasek
Senior librarian at the Library of the University of Wrocław from 1986. Actively participated in in ‘Freedom and Peace’ movement by organizing ecological protests, anti-Soviet demonstrations and by opposing the compulsory military service. He distributed underground press.
Jacek Protasiewicz
University of Wrocław, Faculty of Letters graduate. NZS activist (1986-1991), printer, distributor and editor of the underground press, organiser of many ‘Orange Alternative’ actions and student strikes between 1988 and 1989. Repressed by SB between 1988 and 1989, participant of the UWr strikes.
Dariusz Przybytek
University of Wrocław student (1984-1989), underground ‘Solidarity’ Information Centre in Lower Silesia activist. He was the leader of a conspiratorial underground press sorting centre, that sent out the publications to the whole region. He cooperated with Rafał Pestkowski, Janusz Grzelak and Janusz Laska. His oppositional activity was acknowledged by the Office for War Veterans and Victims of Oppression in 2023. He was also honoured with the Cross of Freedom and Solidarity.
Paweł Raczyński
From 1987, ‘Freedom and Peace’ activist. Participated in ecological activities (protesting against steelworks in Siechnice and Oława) and the blockage of a Soviet reactor transport. In 1988, he publicly burned his military service book, took part in a hunger strike and protected Buddhist monks. He organised the first Easter March in the Eastern bloc (1989). He was a Citizens’ Committee representative and an Objector association member (from 1988). Also, the ‘Orange Alternative’ member.
Agata Saraczyńska
When she was still a high school student, she joined the ‘New Culture’ movement and participated in community actions (like ‘Mak Narkomania Śmierć’ against uncontrolled poppy farming, or ‘Nie strzelaj do mnie nawet dla zabawy’ against the production of toys that resemble military equipment). She participated in preparation of the first Peace March in 1981. During her history of art studies, she was an ‘Orange Alternative’ and ‘Freedom and Peace’ member, participated in protests and edited an underground magazine ‘WiPek’. She also joined a group of messengers within the Polish-Czechoslovak Solidarity.
She was involved in creating a second, independent distribution of culture – actions, publications, exhibitions and shows – without the control of other institutions and the censorship.
Andrzej Solecki
Member of the Founding Committee of ‘Solidarity’ at the Faculty of Geological Sciences, UWr (1980). During the martial law, he continued the underground activity: collected the membership fees, distributed the literature, made transcriptions of Radio Free Europe broadcasts. After his detainment (1984), he collaborated with ‘Solidarity” in Dolmel, by editing the ‘Odrodzenie’ magazine. After ‘Solidarity’ became legal, he was its leader at the Faculty of Geological Sciences. He is active to this day.
Marian Szczęśniak
In the 1970s, a student at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry at the University of Wrocław. Democratic opposition activist. Key organiser of a special intention mass to commemorate Stanisław Pyjas (1977). He used his darkroom to copy underground publications. He also collaborated with the Movement for Defence of Human and Civil Rights by distributing oppositional materials.
Prof. Jan Sobczyk claimed he had a badge on his behalf.
Andrzej Jerzy Szmajke (posthumously)
Psychology graduate from the University of Wrocław. During his studies he participated in a variety of self-teaching activities. Between 1980 and 1985 he was the leader of the ‘Solidarity’ at the Institute of Psychology, UWr. He cooperated with underground publishing houses (distribution and paper storage). He organised financial help for repressed people, who were related to the Institute of Psychology. He created an information-distribution web and published collected materials in ‘Z dnia na dzień’ magazine.
His wife, Krystyna Szmajke, claimed the badge on his behalf.
Marek Szwad, pseudonym Mamut (posthumously)
Upper Secondary School of General Education no. 11 in Wrocław student, member of ‘Uczniowski Komitet Odnowy Społecznej’ (1980-1981), underground press distributor from 1981, participated in manifestations and clashes with ZOMO. Member of the ‘Solidarity Fighting Party’ (from 1982), organiser of conspiratory youth meetings. Student of the Academy of Agriculture and the University of Wrocław, member of the ‘Orange Alternative’, participated in student strikes. Caught SB’s interest between 1988 and 1990.
Joanna Szwad claimed the badge on his behalf.
Paweł Wrabec
‘Uczniowski Komitet Odnowy Społecznej’ member (1980-1981), underground press distributor from 1982. Arrested and beaten by SB in 1983 for photographing the communist-era police (‘milicja’). Between 1985 and 1989 a messenger in ‘Solidarity’, co-organiser of conspiratory meetings. Participated in student strikes in 1988, agitated in workplaces, was a messenger to the Gdańsk Shipyard (brought the message from Władysław Frasyniuk about an attempt of a solidarity strike that was being planned).
Anna Zawadzka (posthumously)
Professor related to the Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences, former vice-dean and the leader of the ‘Pracownia Badań nad Czasem Wolnym’ and the Department of Social Pedagogy. During the martial law she was active in ‘Solidarity’ at UWr. She organised the meetings in her flat in Biskupin, Wrocław.
Prof. Alicja Szerląg claimed the badge on her behalf.
Joanna Żak
Polish studies student at the University of Wrocław in the 1980s. ‘Freedom and Peace’ activist since its creation. She participated in organisation and realisation of the most important actions of ‘Freedom and Peace’ in Wrocław and outside of the city.
Artur Żurek
Psychology graduate at the University of Wrocław (1983-1988). Anti-communism demonstration participant, detained on 1 May 1982 during a demonstration near the Depot at Grabiszyńska Street, interned and held in the Grodków Detention Centre. During his studies, he distributed the independent publications, supported the Student Self-Government activity and opposed dismissing UWr employees for their oppositional activity.
Photo: Alina Metelytsia-Kolisnyk
Added by: S.F.
Date of publication: 16.06.2025
Translated by Gabriela Rutkowska (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
