Franco-Polish solidarity on Bastille Day

President Bronislaw Komorowski (C) and Ambassador of France Pierre Buhler (L). Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell

“The fraternity of nations in the name of liberty and equality is the motor of progress in our world,” President Bronislaw Komorowski said at the French Embassy in Warsaw, alluding to the national motto which took root during the French Revolution.

Ambassador Pierre Buhler expressed his admiration for the spirit of Poles “who never gave up” and managed to regain their freedom 25 years ago after “half a century of enslavement by an authority that was not authorised by the nation.”

Buhler recalled how as a young diplomat he become so fascinated with the “epic dimension of contemporary events” in Poland that he decided to write a book about it.

“This fascination gave rise to a book full of humility and admiration for you Poles who have written your history in your own blood,” he said.

The ambassador gave the Polish president a copy of the book, which is entitled “Anatomy of a fraud: Poland under Communism”, during the reception on Monday evening.

The storming of Paris's Bastille prison on the morning of 14 July 1789 was a watershed moment that paved the way for the French Revolution and the downfall of the French monarchy. (nh)

Source: PAP