Karol Nawrocki, president of the Institute of National Memory and citizen presidential candidate, took part in the 17th Patriotic Pilgrimage of Fans on Jasna Góra. In his speech he emphasized the importance of patriotism in the community of fans and his determination in the fight for Poland.
Nawrocki expressed his gratitude to fans for their support:
“I thank fans across Poland for being with me for so many years. Indeed, you were with me erstwhile I was a private worker of the Institute of National Memory.”
He pointed out patriotic initiatives at stadiums:
“I keep track of beautiful patriotic luminaires in all stadiums in Poland. I am most frequently in Warsaw, so I appreciate this patriotic motion of fans not only of the Warsaw Legion, but besides fans throughout Poland.”
He stressed his political independence:
“I am the president of the Institute of National Memory on the 1 hand, and I will become president of the Institute of National Memory, even though I am going on vacation due to the fact that I want to fight and fight for Poland in the upcoming presidential election. [...] My organization is Poland and that is why I request you so much.”
Nawrocki besides stressed the importance of historical policy for national identity:
“This is simply a thing that is very crucial to our national identity, to our community, to our past, but besides to the future.”
Pilgrimage of Fans for Jasna Góra is an yearly event that gathers thousands of fans from all over Poland. This year's edition was held under the slogan “Our Trud Beloved Homeland for You”. The culmination of the pilgrimage was the evening “race” with the solemn singing of the national anthem. The organizer of the pilgrimage is Fr Jarosław Wąsowicz, pastor of fans and fans of Lechia Gdańsk. The pilgrimage has been held since 2009 and attracts respective 1000 sports fans from all over the country all year.
Fr. Wąsowicz emphasizes that the pilgrimage is an chance to unite supporters of various clubs in the spirit of patriotism and faith. In 1 interview he noted that fans of various clubs care about the memory of Polish history. Pilgrimage of Fans for Jasna Gora has become an crucial event for the cheering community in Poland, combining sport, religion and patriotism.
In homily during pilgrimages, Fr Wąsowicz frequently refers to patriotic and spiritual values, encouraging to live in harmony with the Gospel and care for his homeland. In his sermon during the XVI Patriotic Pilgrimage of Fans on Jasna Góra, he said: “Freedom is in us and in our hands.”
Today, Nawrocki's press conference was held on Freedom Square in Pinczów. During the event, the head of IPN was asked about an incidental that occurred the day before during a gathering with him in Jasna Góra.
As Nawrocki entered the platform, any of the gathered began chanting the slogan “Together with a sickle, erstwhile with a hammer, red rumble”. This event has caused rather a stir and is heavy utilized by political opponents.
“In order to organise this discussion, I would like to point out that the gathering with me took place not in the church but in the hall of Fr Augustyn Kordecki. It was a pilgrimage of supporters, not the first time I attended, as Nawrocki explained.
