On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the introduction of martial law in Today in Poland there was a meeting with eighth grade students at the Primary School No. 3 named after H. Sienkiewicz in Ełk. It was attended by internees: Alina Wysocka and Jerzy Danieluk, representatives of "Solidarity": Tadeusz Fatkowski, Ryszard Hanulak, Franciszek Rećko and Jerzy Czypinisz. The president of Ełk, Tomasz Andrukiewicz, was also present at the meeting, Deputy President Artur Urbański, Director of the Historical Museum in Ełk Rafał Żytyniec, as well as the director of SP3 Joanna Sokołowska together with teachers.

During the meeting, the president of Ełk introduced the students the circumstances faced by people during martial law, and He also emphasized that "today among us live people who had the courage say what they thought, at a time when you could not freely express your thoughts". The president also asked for a huge round of applause for the heroes.

The internees then told the youth about how there was arrest, interrogation and the conditions that prevailed in prison. What was life like outside prison and what did the closest people have to deal with internees.

Today, as part of the celebrations, the following are also planned:

• 5:30 p.m. - laying flowers at the monument "Fallen for Free and Independent Poland" in the Park Solidarity

• 6.00 p.m. - Holy Mass in the Cathedral of St. Adalbert in Ełk

The Historical Museum also invites you to visit the exhibition presenting the backstage and effects of those events: "MARTIAL LAW". Elaboration exhibition script: dr Marcin Zwolski. The exhibition can be visited until 19 December 2021 (from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30 to 16.30). Admission.

The exhibition is also available in a virtual version: http://stanwojenny.muzeum.elk.pl/

On December 13, 1981, throughout the country by decision I Secretary of the Central Committee of the Pzpr and Prime Minister General Wojciech Jaruzelski and ministers national defence and internal affairs were introduced martial law in Poland.

Power in the country was taken over by the Military Council of National Salvation (WRONA) under the leadership of General Jaruzelski. Introduction of martial law justified by the economic collapse of the country, the threat of anarchy, civil war and takeover power through "Solidarity", in fact, it was aimed at defending the existing the system by breaking up and liquidating "Solidarity" as a great force social independence from communist power. This is far-reaching in consequences the event cast a shadow over the recent history of Polish. To this day remains the subject of dispute not only historians, but also politicians and ordinary people.

More on: https://muzeum.elk.pl/aktualnosci/obchody-40-rocznicy-wprowadzenia-stanu-wojennego-w-polsce/4107/