Poland's bleak Christmas
Witness History19 Dec 2024

Poland's bleak Christmas

In 1981, the communist government of Poland declared martial law in an attempt to suppress rising protests and strikes.

The civil unrest had been sparked by Solidarity, a trade union which became a social movement.

Tanks and soldiers appeared on the street, Solidarity members were rounded up, and TV and radio stations shut down.

For a devoutly Catholic country – Christmas was a sacred time, but under martial law there would be very little to celebrate this festive season.

Johnny I’Anson hears from Solidarity member and activist Maciek Romejko about a bleak Christmas in Poland.

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(Photo: Martial law in Poland. Credit: Getty Images)

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