Have you wondered who is this hero on the monument which centers Lublin? It is Józef Piłsudski: a Polish statesman; Chief of State (1918–22), “First Marshal of Poland” (from 1920), de facto leader (1926–35) of the Second Polish Republic, and a Minister of Military Affairs. On the 12^th of May, which marks his death in 1935, yearly  Lublin commemorates him as it befits great leaders. The Poles revere him for being the one who re-existed Poland after being absent from the map for 123 years being divided between Russia, Austria and Prussia, and hence for creating the Second Republic of Poland in 1918. Among his numerous achievements, Józef Piłsudski commanded the Polish forces between 1912-1921,  and fought in six border wars which shaped the current Poland. He battled the Soviet forces in many combats, and achieved that military marvel Miracle on the Vistula during the Battle for Warsaw. His forces were about to lose for the Soviet, but then he regrouped them, surrounded five Soviet armies, routed them, and saved Poland again. His importance exceeded Poland to Europe, where he affected the whole European political scene.

Between 1945 and 1989, the communists who ruled Poland avowed his name and achievements as taboos to be mentioned: this very figure was to be systematically wiped out from the history of the great Polish nation. Yet, this country doesn’t forget the fruits of her womb: as soon as communism collapsed in Poland (two years before it did in the former Soviet Union), bringing the hero back to the new generation’s memory was a priority. The City of Lublin erected this monument in November 10, 2001 with a cost of 300.000 PLN.

On the right side of the, a quotation by Piłsudski which reads: “Every Citizen Should Work Honestly For The Country With A Clear Sense Of Duty Not Waiting For Previleges And Awards.”

In Polish:

„KAŻDY OBYWATEL POWINIEN

UCZCIWIE DLA KRAJU PRACOWAĆ

Z SAMEGO POCZUCIA OBOWIĄZKU

NIE OGLĄDAJĄC SIĘ

NA PRZYWILEJE I NAGRODY”

Józef Piłsudski

By: Assef Salloom