– We decided that, as part of National Remembrance and Patriotism Month, patriotic ideas and national symbols would be promoted in the first- and second-year classes – explains Barbara Sykulska, a history teacher at Janusz Korczak II General Secondary School in Bolesławiec. – A group of enthusiasts and lovers of Polish history has come together here. Together, we want to disprove the claim that November is a very sad month.
The students of II LO established a team (comprising: Krystian Fecyk, Kacper Jędrzejewski, Jakub Feret, Łukasz Kowalski, Mateusz Kopeć, Magdalena Brzana, Denis Gonciarz and Dominik Karpiński), which is organizing the observance of National Remembrance and Patriotism Month. The project coordinator is Martyna Mularczyk from the Student Council.
The school's students have already had the opportunity to attend lectures devoted to national symbols. On Tuesday, November 13, an assembly commemorating Independence Day and the opening of a patriotic exhibition were held. That day, team members dressed in military uniforms stood guard of honor by the flag and the exhibition.
Two flags were placed by the exhibition: the Polish and European flags. – We Poles have an inferiority complex about living in the east of Europe, yet we are located in the center of the Old Continent—we always have been – emphasizes Barbara Sykulska. – And we should be proud of that. We want to preserve our distinctiveness, but we also want to participate in the life of a united Europe.
– We should be proud to be Polish. We are a very brave and courageous nation. We were the first to free ourselves from Soviet rule. Moreover, our grandfathers and great-grandfathers died for our homeland, and we must remember that – says Krystian Fecyk. – To me, patriotism means showing respect for the flag and coat of arms, as well as belonging to historical groups or taking part in elections – adds Kacper Jędrzejewski of the Association of Polish Riding Enthusiasts named after the 6th Kaniow Lancers Regiment. – November 13 was an important day in our school's life; I hope there will be more such days.
– I decided to take part in this project because in this way I can pay tribute to the heroes who fought for our homeland – says Denis Gonciarz of the Reconnaissance and Assault Group from Gromadka. – We want to show that young people have not forgotten those who fought for an independent Poland.
The project will be summarized at the end of November.
(information: ii)