Poland Constitution Day

Poland’s Constitution Day is on the 03 May 2021. We spoke to KTL’s Tomasz Jagodzinski about how his plans to mark the day this year and we also found out some interesting facts about Poland. Tomasz is a Warehouse Supervisor at KTL.

What is your role at KTL?

My name is Tomasz Jagodzinski and I am the warehouse supervisor at KTL.

My role involves supervising the goods in and goods outward department, monitoring stock, purchase ordering to maintain inventory and much more!

What do you enjoy most about working at KTL?

Mostly I enjoy the camaraderie created amongst my colleagues as we strive to get work completed but also to have a smile and laugh along the way.

Tell us about Poland Constitution Day?

Polish Constitution day falls on the 3rd of May. In Polish, it’s known as Święto Konstytucji 3 Maja - (also 3rd May National Holiday). This day is a Polish national and public holiday that takes place on this date.

The holiday celebrates the declaration of the Constitution of 3rd of May, 1791. The earliest associated festivities date back to the Duchy of Warsaw early in the 19th century, but this date only became an official holiday in 1919, in the Second Polish Republic.

Where it was delisted during the times of the initial Polish People's Republic, it was re-established after the final fall of communism in modern Poland.

How will you celebrate this national holiday?

Usually while back home in Poland (and free from work), this day sees many parades, exhibitions, concerts and public figure speeches – I may attend some of these celebrations on the street.

I would love to be there this year however due to the pandemic, sadly this is not possible for me. As a result, I will celebrate over the phone via Skype/WhatsApp Video call with family –

We will have a drink and speak of the great things about Poland.

Do you have a tradition about the day you would like to share?

In my town you could catch me all day singing a patriotic song Witaj, majowa jutrzenko (Welcome, May Dawn) and attending a local parade to salute this important day for me and my fellow Polish people.

What are the three things about Poland that most people wouldn’t know?

1. Marie Curie was actually Polish

Marie Curie, the woman who discovered Polon and Rad, wasn’t French, but Polish. Her name was Marie Sklodowska before she married a Frenchman named Pierre Curie. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person and only woman to win twice and the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two different sciences.

2. Polish history is very complicated

If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, you might start reading Polish Medieval History. You’ll get confused many times.

Later times also haven’t been easy for Poland. The country has been invaded or has fought for freedom in insurrections over 40 times. Poland even disappeared from world maps between 1772 and 1795.

3. Poles celebrate a Name day

In addition to birthdays, Poles celebrate their name day (imieniny), which is the day commemorating the Saint they are named after. The names associated with each day is listed in all calendars in Poland, so the Name Day is often more important than a birthday because everyone remembers it.