CO? historical and artistic celebration on the occasion of the 233rd anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of May 3 of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
WHERE? in the main seat of the Independence Museum, Przebendowski/Radziwiłł Palace al. Solidarności 62.
WHEN? on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11.00
The Polonia Union Foundation, the Independence Museum in Warsaw, together with their partners and media patrons invite you to a historical and artistic celebration on the occasion of the 233rd anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of May 3 of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
The National Day of the Third of May is one of the most important public holidays in the Republic of Poland.
The Government Act of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, known as the Constitution of May 3, passed by the Four-Year Sejm, known as the Great Sejm, on May 3, 1791, was the first written constitution in Europe and the second – after the American one – in the world. It was a progressive and bold legal act, initiating a number of reforms. The Government Act, at that time, was a very innovative move, it contained a vision and program for building a modern state and society. The constitution changed the state system to a hereditary monarchy, significantly limited the nobles’ democracy, introduced political equality between the townspeople and the nobility, and provided the peasants with state protection. It shaped the foundations of the rule of law, introduced the tripartite division of power into the legislative, executive and judiciary, which is today a global constitutional standard, and guaranteed civil liberties, Christian traditions, tolerance and the values of the Enlightenment. The constitution formally abolished the liberum veto and restored hope and a sense of responsibility for their country to Poles. It still remains a symbol of bold, innovative thinking about the shape of the Republic of Poland.
Democracy, freedom, parliamentarism, understanding of civic and social issues – these are the values we identify with the May Third National Day. The Constitution of May 3 bears witness to the great wisdom and insight of its creators. Its adoption was and remains a significant event not only in the history of Poland, but also in the history of Europe and the world.
May Day is a time of joy and pride.
The program of the celebration includes an introduction, a historical lecture and a concert of classical music “to comfort the hearts”.
The solemn celebration of the May Third National Day with the participation of a wide audience serves to strengthen pride through contact with history, tradition and art, as well as to popularize the historical and cultural heritage of the country, our small homeland of Mazovia.
The event is addressed to a wide social group: young people, multi-generational families, seniors, Polish diaspora and borderland communities, lovers, supporters and friends of the co-organizers and partners of the celebration, as well as to all interested residents and guests of the capital city. Warsaw and Mazovia.
