{"id":331027,"date":"2025-06-16T13:06:46","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T11:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwr.edu.pl\/wroclawska-wolnosc-2025-relacja\/"},"modified":"2025-07-01T11:47:47","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T09:47:47","slug":"wroclaw-freedom-2025-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwr.edu.pl\/en\/wroclaw-freedom-2025-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Wroc\u0142aw Freedom 2025 [REPORT]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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photo: Alina Metelytsia-Kolisnyk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Wroc\u0142aw Freedom 2025 [REPORT]<\/h1>\n\n\n

On Friday, 13 June 2025, a ceremony was held, during which 34 people were honoured with the \u2018Wroc\u0142aw Freedom\u2019 badge for their activity in opposition before 1989.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Wroc\u0142aw Freedom\u2019 badge is awarded to the people, who were members of the University of Wroc\u0142aw community and fought for freedom, truth, justice and human dignity during the communist dictature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The guests were welcomed in the Oratorium Marianum by the Rector of the University of Wroc\u0142aw, prof. dr hab. Robert Olkiewicz, and the Chairperson of the \u201cWroc\u0142aw Freedom\u201d Chapter, prof. dr hab. Jan Sobczyk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A part of the ceremony, which took the audience back to the 1980s, was a performance by the \u2018Gaudium\u2019 choir, featuring soloist Artur Caturian, under the direction of prof. Alan Urbanek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But before that, the guests could listen to a lecture by prof. Jakub Tyszkiewicz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prof. Jakub Tyszkiewicz is a prize winner of the ninth \u2018Ksi\u0105\u017cka Historyczna Roku\u2019 contest, in \u2018Najlepsza ksi\u0105\u017cka naukowa po\u015bwi\u0119cona dziejom Polski i Polak\u00f3w w XX wieku\u2019 category. \u201cRozbijanie monolitu. Polityka Stan\u00f3w Zjednoczonych wobec Polski 1945-1988\u201d is his prize-winning book, in which he describes United States\u2019 politics towards communist-dominated Poland, just like he did in his lecture during the ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ceremony was hosted by UWr spokesperson, Katarzyna G\u00f3rowicz-Ma\u0107kiewicz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

List of people who were honoured with the \u201cWroc\u0142aw Freedom\u201d badge:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Krzysztof Albin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was a part of anti-communism opposition in Wroc\u0142aw from 1982. He took part in the demonstrations during the martial law. A colporteur of independent publishing houses. From 1985, a member of the \u2018Freedom and Peace\u2019 movement, co-organised a hunger strike in Podkowa Le\u015bna (1985). Between 1986 and 1989 co-founder of the \u2018Dwunastka\u2019 group, that stood by the legalization of the Independent Students\u2019 Association (NZS) and organised strikes at UWr. Between 1987 and 1990 co-author and press spokesman of \u2018Orange Alternative\u2019 movement and editor of \u2018Prolet\u2019 newspaper. Detained multiple times by the Security Service (SB).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dariusz Boho<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law student at the University of Wroc\u0142aw in the 1980s. Active member of NZS, organiser of the underground press distribution, messenger between Warsaw and Krak\u00f3w. Member of an editorial staff of \u2018CDN\u2019 underground magazine. He documented the student strike at UWr in 1988. After graduation, he was an Independent Self-Governing Trade Union \u2018Solidarity\u2019 member, then he worked in the police, public administration and as a local journalist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Liliana Cosel (n\u00e9e Rzemykowska)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduated from University of Wroc\u0142aw law school in 1990. During her studies, she was an active member of NZS, took part in oppositional actions and organisation of the \u2018Orange Alternative\u2019. She distributed leaflets and helped those, who were detained by SB. In 1989, she co-organised the \u2018Festival of Independent Czechoslovak Culture\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrzej D\u0105browski<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faculty of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Wroc\u0142aw employee. Between 1081 and 1989, he was involved in activity for \u2018Solidarity\u2019 in Wroc\u0142aw. 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 \u2018Solidarity\u2019 committee of the University of Wroc\u0142aw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacek Drobny (posthumously)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geography and philosophy student at the University of Wroc\u0142aw (1977-1988). Opposition member \u2013 co-founder of the \u2018New Culture\u2019 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 Wroc\u0142aw. Underground NZS member, student self-education activist. Honoured with the Cross of Freedom and Solidarity in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marta and J\u00f3zef Drobny claimed the badge on his behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dariusz Duda<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Administration student at the University of Wroc\u0142aw (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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Piotr Gaglik<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senior teaching assistant at the Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Wroc\u0142aw, 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 \u2018Solidarity Fighting Party\u2019 movement. Under a pseudonym, \u2018Jan Ro\u0144ski\u2019, he published articles in the underground press, including magazines like \u2018Z dnia na dzie\u0144\u2019 and \u2018Ogniwo\u2019. His flat was one of the meeting places for the oppositional activists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beata Giermek (n\u00e9e Wojciechowska)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pedagogy student at the University of Wroc\u0142aw. In the second half of the 1980s, under her maiden name (Wojciechowska), she was involved in the activity of the \u2018Freedom and Peace\u2019 movement \u2013 a student initiative that opposed compulsory military service, nuclear weapons experiments and the government\u2019s interference in citizens\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ewa Gurbiel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of Wroc\u0142aw graduate (1970), Doctor of Mathematics (1979), academic staff member at the University of Wroc\u0142aw (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 \u2018Solidarity\u2019 in Lower Silesia, was a member of the underground publishing movement, organised meetings of the opposition and helped those, who were interned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lothar Herbst (posthumously)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polish poet, philologist, democratic opposition activist in Wroc\u0142aw. Graduate of Polish studies at UWr (1967), later employed at the University, until 1992. Editor of students\u2019 and underground press (such as \u2018Solidarno\u015b\u0107 Dolno\u015bl\u0105ska\u2019, \u2018Obecno\u015b\u0107\u2019, \u2018Walka\u2019). In the 1970s and 1980s, a member of the opposition, the Workers\u2019 Defence Committee, the Movement for Defence of Human and Civil Rights and \u2018Solidarity\u2019. Interned during the martial law, arrested and repressed. Author of various books of poetry, for example \u2018Pejza\u017ce<\/em>\u2019 (1970), \u2018Przypisy do cz\u0142owieka<\/em>\u2019 (1971), \u2018Wyznania<\/em>\u2019 (1981). Honoured with Order of Polonia Restituta (Officer\u2019s and Knight\u2019s Cross).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His son, Krystian Herbst, claimed the badge on his behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Krzysztof Kawalec<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 1977 he was a collaborator of the Student Solidarity Committee at the University of Wroc\u0142aw. Autumn of 1980, he was a co-founder of NZS UWr and NZS University Press. From June 1982, he was a \u2018Solidarity Fighting Party\u2019 activist. Between 1982 and 1984, he was an owner of a print point, from where the underground press was distributed and magazines like \u2018Solidarno\u015b\u0107 Walcz\u0105ca\u2019 or \u2018Biuletyn Dolno\u015bl\u0105ski\u2019 were printed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urszula Kochanowska<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polish studies student at the University of Wroc\u0142aw in the 1980s, \u2018Freedom and Peace\u2019 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\u2019 movement against violence and authoritarianism in the PRL era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bogus\u0142aw Kokurewicz (posthumously)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Active member of the underground \u2018Solidarity\u2019 in Wroc\u0142aw (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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His son, Tomasz Kokurewicz, claimed the badge on his behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomasz Kokurewicz<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deputy chairman of NZS during his biology studies at the University of Wroc\u0142aw, co-organiser of the student strikes in 1981. Messenger of \u2018Radio Solidarity Wroc\u0142aw\u2019, 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 G\u0142og\u00f3w. After his release, he was kept under surveillance and questioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aleksander Koll<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of Wroc\u0142aw, Faculty of Chemistry graduate. Department of Physical Chemistry employee. In the 1970s a member of the Polish Teacher\u2019s Union. From 1980. The chairman of \u2018Solidarity\u2019 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marek Krukowski<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduated from the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Wroc\u0142aw. Anti-communism opposition activist: repressed from 1976, co-founder of NZS at the Medical Academy (currently: Wroc\u0142aw Medical University), participant of strikes and hunger strikes in the 1980s, \u2018Freedom and Peace\u2019 activist. After 1996, an academic staff member at the Academy of Agriculture (currently: Wroc\u0142aw University of Environmental and Life Sciences). Author of environmental expertise and co-author of \u201cAtlas teren\u00f3w zalewowych doliny Odry\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miros\u0142awa Kubasiewicz<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oppositional activist in the 1980s, English studies student at the University of Wroc\u0142aw. Her flat was the centre of oppositional meetings. Messenger of the Regional Strike Committee, translator of underground press and organiser of \u2018Freedom and Peace\u2019 seminars. Cooperated with pacifist organisations of the Western Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zbigniew Kurpios (posthumously)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Solidarity\u2019 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 Wa\u0142\u0119sa\u2019s visit to the University of Wroc\u0142aw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His wife, Anna Kurpios, claimed the badge on his behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Piotr Maciejewski (posthumously)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of Wroc\u0142aw, Faculty of Historical Sciences graduate. NZS activist, member of the underground publishing house, \u2018Profil\u2019. After 1989, he still contributed to the publications of \u2018Profil\u2019, especially the series of Wroc\u0142aw \u2018Solidarity\u2019 activists\u2019 biographies. He was the president of the Lubi\u0105\u017c Foundation for many years and involved in protecting the monuments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrzej Manasterski<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

History student at the University of Wroc\u0142aw (1985-1990), distributor of underground press, \u2018Solidarity\u2019 leaflets and NZS. He participated in demonstrations and strikes at the University of Wroc\u0142aw between 1985 and 1989. After the arrest of the \u2018Solidarity Fighting Party\u2019 leader, he conducted leaflet actions. Honoured with \u2018Niez\u0142omni\u2019 medal in 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrzej Morawiecki (posthumously)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctor of biological sciences (habilitated), president of the Department of Microbiology at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wroc\u0142aw, in the 1990s. Activist of underground \u2018Solidarity\u2019 committee during the martial law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Joanna \u0141ubocka, prof. UWr, vice-dean for Student Affairs at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, claimed the badge on his behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

S\u0142awomir Krzysztof Opasek<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senior librarian at the Library of the University of Wroc\u0142aw from 1986. Actively participated in in \u2018Freedom and Peace\u2019 movement by organizing ecological protests, anti-Soviet demonstrations and by opposing the compulsory military service. He distributed underground press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacek Protasiewicz<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of Wroc\u0142aw, Faculty of Letters graduate. NZS activist (1986-1991), printer, distributor and editor of the underground press, organiser of many \u2018Orange Alternative\u2019 actions and student strikes between 1988 and 1989. Repressed by SB between 1988 and 1989, participant of the UWr strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dariusz Przybytek<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of Wroc\u0142aw student (1984-1989), underground \u2018Solidarity\u2019 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 Rafa\u0142 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pawe\u0142 Raczy\u0144ski<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 1987, \u2018Freedom and Peace\u2019 activist. Participated in ecological activities (protesting against steelworks in Siechnice and O\u0142awa) 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\u2019 Committee representative and an Objector association member (from 1988). Also, the \u2018Orange Alternative\u2019 member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agata Saraczy\u0144ska<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When she was still a high school student, she joined the \u2018New Culture\u2019 movement and participated in community actions (like \u2018Mak Narkomania \u015amier\u0107\u2019 against uncontrolled poppy farming, or \u2018Nie strzelaj do mnie nawet dla zabawy\u2019 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 \u2018Orange Alternative\u2019 and \u2018Freedom and Peace\u2019 member, participated in protests and edited an underground magazine \u2018WiPek\u2019. She also joined a group of messengers within the Polish-Czechoslovak Solidarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was involved in creating a second, independent distribution of culture \u2013 actions, publications, exhibitions and shows \u2013 without the control of other institutions and the censorship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrzej Solecki<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Member of the Founding Committee of \u2018Solidarity\u2019 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 \u2018Solidarity\u201d in Dolmel, by editing the \u2018Odrodzenie\u2019 magazine. After \u2018Solidarity\u2019 became legal, he was its leader at the Faculty of Geological Sciences. He is active to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marian Szcz\u0119\u015bniak<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 1970s, a student at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry at the University of Wroc\u0142aw. Democratic opposition activist. Key organiser of a special intention mass to commemorate Stanis\u0142aw 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prof. Jan Sobczyk claimed he had a badge on his behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrzej Jerzy Szmajke (posthumously)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psychology graduate from the University of Wroc\u0142aw. During his studies he participated in a variety of self-teaching activities. Between 1980 and 1985 he was the leader of the \u2018Solidarity\u2019 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 \u2018Z dnia na dzie\u0144\u2019 magazine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His wife, Krystyna Szmajke, claimed the badge on his behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marek Szwad, pseudonym Mamut (posthumously)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upper Secondary School of General Education no. 11 in Wroc\u0142aw student, member of \u2018Uczniowski Komitet Odnowy Spo\u0142ecznej\u2019 (1980-1981), underground press distributor from 1981, participated in manifestations and clashes with ZOMO. Member of the \u2018Solidarity Fighting Party\u2019 (from 1982), organiser of conspiratory youth meetings. Student of the Academy of Agriculture and the University of Wroc\u0142aw, member of the \u2018Orange Alternative\u2019, participated in student strikes. Caught SB\u2019s interest between 1988 and 1990.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joanna Szwad claimed the badge on his behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pawe\u0142 Wrabec<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Uczniowski Komitet Odnowy Spo\u0142ecznej\u2019 member (1980-1981), underground press distributor from 1982. Arrested and beaten by SB in 1983 for photographing the communist-era police (\u2018milicja\u2019). Between 1985 and 1989 a messenger in \u2018Solidarity\u2019, co-organiser of conspiratory meetings. Participated in student strikes in 1988, agitated in workplaces, was a messenger to the Gda\u0144sk Shipyard (brought the message from W\u0142adys\u0142aw Frasyniuk about an attempt of a solidarity strike that was being planned).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anna Zawadzka (posthumously)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor related to the Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences, former vice-dean and the leader of the \u2018Pracownia Bada\u0144 nad Czasem Wolnym\u2019 and the Department of Social Pedagogy. During the martial law she was active in \u2018Solidarity\u2019 at UWr. She organised the meetings in her flat in Biskupin, Wroc\u0142aw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prof. Alicja Szerl\u0105g claimed the badge on her behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joanna \u017bak<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polish studies student at the University of Wroc\u0142aw in the 1980s. \u2018Freedom and Peace\u2019 activist since its creation. She participated in organisation and realisation of the most important actions of \u2018Freedom and Peace\u2019 in Wroc\u0142aw and outside of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artur \u017burek<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psychology graduate at the University of Wroc\u0142aw (1983-1988). Anti-communism demonstration participant, detained on 1 May 1982 during a demonstration near the Depot at Grabiszy\u0144ska Street, interned and held in the Grodk\u00f3w 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo: Alina Metelytsia-Kolisnyk<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Added by: S.F.
Date of publication: 16.06.2025<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Translated by Gabriela Rutkowska (student of English Studies at the University of Wroc\u0142aw) as part of the translation practice.<\/p>\n\n\n