The Prime Minister thanked the miners who protested at the Piast Mine 40 years ago: For your effort, courage, the will to fight and for the freedom we can now enjoy thanks to you
08.12.2021
The Head of the Polish Government visited the Guido Mine, where he explored the “14 days underground… A history of the fight for freedom” tourist route. This route commemorates the longest underground strike, organised in 1981 in the Piast Mine in Bieruń in response to imposition of martial law. 13 December will mark the 40th anniversary of that imposition.
The strike at the Piast Mine – a stop on the way to freedom
“The longest strike organised during martial law, the strike at the Piast Mine, was one of the great stops on the way towards free Poland,” stressed the Prime Minister.
“Despite their fears, the miners continued to strike and ended up spending Christmas underground. The authorities urged the approx. 1200 strikers to come out to the surface,” the Prime Minister reported the events of 1981. “In response, they were told that there might be martial law out there, but 650 metres underground, there was free Poland; there was a state that breathed freedom through the miners’ chests.”
Freedom and solidarity
It is of utmost importance to remember the miners protesting against the crimes of the martial law at the Piast Mine, Wujek Mine and other mines. The Prime Minister emphasised that there would be no freedom and solidarity without them. Independence was made possible by indomitable heroes, who operated in the ranks of underground Solidarity even during martial law.
“Today, I want to stress as much as possible that we are grateful to all miners of that Piast Mine, and to others who protested at the time against imposition of martial law,” stated the Head of the Polish Government. He also expressed that gratitude in person when he met with the miners from the Piast Mine. The opportunity to speak to people who work in difficult conditions every day offered an insight into the reality of the events of 40 years ago.
Guido Mine
Guido Mine is a complex of underground tourist routes managed by the Coal Mining Museum in Zabrze. The history of the mine dates back to the 1850s; in 2007, it became open for tourists.
One of the most recent routes is devoted to the 1981 strike at the Piast Mine. “14 days underground… A history of the fight for freedom” commemorates the heroic miners who protested against martial law for two weeks. “In the closed, tight corridors there were many miners who were overcoming their fears, their weaknesses,” said the Prime Minister, presenting the profiles of the protesters. “They showed incredible bravery, determination and will to fight.”
