The official celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of Gdynia being granted city rights, which took place on the Pomeranian Pier next to ORP Błyskawica, were attended by, among others, members of parliament, local government officials from Gdynia and Pomerania, representatives of the Polish Navy and uniformed services, families of Gdynia's builders, and of local universities.
It all began 100 years ago. On 10 February 1926, Gdynia was granted city rights. The city's birthday celebrations are always accompanied by references to history and tradition. Gdynia, the sea and the Navy are inextricably linked. That is why the main anniversary celebrations this time took place on the Pomeranian Pier at the ORP ‘Błyskawica’ ship with the participation of a military honour guard.
The 100th birthday of our city is a solemn moment. It is also an opportunity to learn more about the history of Gdynia, its builders and the phenomenon of building a window to the world of the Second Polish Republic. Many words were spoken on this subject during the official celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the granting of city rights. They took place on Tuesday, 10 February, at the Pomeranian Pier, next to ORP Błyskawica. On this occasion, a grand flag ceremony was held on the destroyer.
The celebrations were attended by, among others, members of parliament, local government officials from Gdynia and Pomerania, diplomats, representatives of the Polish Navy and uniformed services, families of Gdynia's builders, representatives of local universities, students and teachers from Gdynia schools, as well as residents.
The ceremony began with the national anthem being played while the national flag was raised. This was followed by a speech by the Mayor of Gdynia, Aleksandra Kosiorek.
On 10 February, exactly 100 years ago, Gdynia was granted city rights. Today, we are meeting on the waterfront by the ORP Błyskawica warship, which has been a part of our city for decades and is one of its landmarks. However, the history of our beautiful and completely unique city began much earlier. It began with the sea and dreams of having our own window to the world. First, engineer Tadeusz Wenda identified the right location, and Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski gave momentum to this bold vision. Later, with hopes for a better tomorrow, people came from all corners of Poland. They were accompanied by the Kashubians who had lived here for generations. And it was they – engineers, workers, officials, sailors, dockers and shipbuilders – who, working shoulder to shoulder, created a modern port and city in less than 10 years. Gdynia became a city. Created by people and for people. A city you can connect with for life. Over the course of 100 years, generations and challenges have changed, but Gdynia has always been able to respond to the needs of its residents. Today, it is our home. A place of work, learning, making friends and fulfilling dreams. Its modernity is measured not by the height of its buildings, but by the quality of our everyday lives. Dear residents of Gdynia. This anniversary is above all your celebration. Those who created this city before us and all of you who create it every day. Let us take care of Gdynia so that future residents find it as pleasant to live in as we do today, emphasised the Mayor.
Invited guests also took the floor.
Gdynia would not exist if it weren't for the courage, determination and dedication of thousands of Poles, Pomeranians and Kashubians who believed that a small Kashubian village could become a window to the world. I wish you all a wonderful celebration. The feeling that each of us has the right to say that Gdynia is our place on earth, our home, said MP Wioleta Tomczak.
Gdynia is one of the most beautiful chapters in Polish history. It is a symbol of Polish pride, but also of Polish determination. Pride in a thousand-year-old nation, in the fact that we regained our independence. In the fact that Poland has always been on the Baltic Sea. Because the Baltic Sea means security and maritime economy. Our future, our interest. It is also the fate of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers. Without it, there would be no true sovereignty, emphasised MP Kacper Płażyński.
On this special day, we want to remember what happened 100 years ago, but we also want to see Gdynia throughout these 100 years. We look to the future with hope, because when we look back, we also want to see Gdynia, which will continue to use its potential for the next 100 years. The maritime potential, the social potential of its residents, the potential of the Navy. Dear residents, dear guests, dear Gdynia, all the best! – added Emil Rojek, Deputy Voivode of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
From the very beginning, the fate of Gdynia has been inextricably linked with the Polish Navy. Its presence strengthened the strategic importance of Gdynia. It influenced the pace of development and built a sense of security. The city grew together with the Navy as its home port and a place where maritime service to the state took on a permanent dimension. Today, after a hundred years, it is safe to say that Gdynia is one of the most important, modern and future-oriented port cities in Poland, said Vice Admiral Jarosław Ziemiański, Inspector of the Navy.
On the occasion of the centenary of Gdynia being granted city rights, I would like to wish you all the energy and commitment of the first builders of Gdynia, but also the ability to cooperate like the engineers Wenda and Kwiatkowski, in solving the contemporary problems of Gdynia. May you feel confident that your city is the most pleasant place to live in Poland, added Julita Maciejewicz-Ryś, granddaughter of engineer Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski.
The official celebrations were graced by the participation of a military honour guard. They ended with a parade performed by the Representative Company and the Representative Orchestra of the Navy.
Parade performed by the Representative Company of the Polish Navy during the official celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Gdynia being granted city rights (photo: Michał Puszczewicz)
As part of the official celebrations, a Holy Mass for the city will be held on 15 February at 10:30 a.m. at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy at the parish of Our Lady Queen of Poland.