As Gdańsk prepares to mark the sixth anniversary of the tragic death of its former president, Paweł Adamowicz, the city is set to come together to pay tribute to his legacy. The commemorations, planned for January 13, will include the unveiling of a memorial plaque at the European Solidarity Centre, the presentation of the Paweł Adamowicz Award, and an interfaith prayer service at St. Mary’s Basilica.
The city’s current president, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, reflected on the significance of the occasion, saying, „Despite having been in office for almost six years, it still feels like it didn’t happen, like it’s not real. The fact that six years have passed is almost unbelievable.”
Magdalena Adamowicz, the widow of the late president and a member of the European Parliament, emphasized the difficulty of the past six years for her family, but also highlighted the importance of finding something positive in the tragedy. „We’re trying to create something good from this tragedy, to do something good,” she said.
The commemorations will begin on January 13 at 1 pm with the unveiling of the memorial plaque at the European Solidarity Centre. The plaque is a poignant reminder of Adamowicz’s tireless efforts to promote the values of solidarity and democracy.
As Basil Kerski, director of the European Solidarity Centre, noted, „We wanted to invite everyone to a modest and quiet unveiling of the plaque, which will once again remind us that this place would not exist without Paweł Adamowicz.”
Later that day, the winner of the Paweł Adamowicz Award will be announced at the Institute of Urban Culture in Gdańsk, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial plaque on the square between the Katownia and the Golden Gate. The evening will conclude with an interfaith prayer service at St. Mary’s Basilica.
On January 14, the University High School No. 5 named after Paweł Adamowicz will host a „Patron’s Day” event, featuring a debate on the role of artificial intelligence in education, as well as a presentation of the school’s achievements.
In the afternoon, a large heart made up of candles will be formed on Solidarity Square, symbolizing the city’s commitment to combating hatred and intolerance. As Waldemar Kotowski, director of the school, explained, „This year, we decided to combine the lighting of the heart with a youth action against hatred. We invited children and young people from Gdańsk’s schools to participate in creating the heart for Paweł Adamowicz, as a joint protest against this phenomenon.”
Finally, a holy mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Basilica at 6 pm, in memory of Paweł Adamowicz.
The former president of Gdańsk was tragically killed on January 13, 2019, after being stabbed by Stefan Wilmont during a charity event. Adamowicz died the next day, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to his city and its people.
As Gdańsk comes together to commemorate the sixth anniversary of his passing, it is a timely reminder of the importance of promoting tolerance, understanding, and solidarity in our communities. Paweł Adamowicz’s memory will continue to inspire generations to come, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of the people of Gdańsk.
