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21
1
7
PARLIAMENTARISM IN
HISTORY OF PARLIAMENTARISM IN POLAND
POLAND
THE SEJM OF THE POLISH PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
CONSTITU TION OF THE
POLISH PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
Edited by: Mieczysław Stolarski
Graphic lay-out: Jerzy Kępkiewicz
Technical editor: Bozena Maciejewska
Publisher: Polish Agency Interpress
Foreign Press Desk
00-585 Warsaw, ul. Bagatela 12
Print: Presspol Agency
00-366 Warsaw, ul. Kopernika 34
Zam. 181/88
Naklad 12.000 + 20 egz.
HISTORY OF
PARLIAMENTARISM
IN POLAND
THE SEJM OF THE
POLISH PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
Andrzej Gwizdz
HISTORY OF
PARLIAMENTARISM
IN POLAND
Jerzy Wojciech Popkowski
THE SEJM OF THE
POLISH PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
Warsaw 1988
HISTORY
OF PARLIAMENTARISM IN POLAND
The Sejm of the Polish People's Republic is the su-
preme organ of state authority in the socialist
state and thus it is the inheritor and continuator of the
five centuries old, national tradition of Polish
parliamentarism. The doctrine underlying the ideolog-
ical foundations of the contemporary state system in
Poland rests on the assumption that only all the quali-
ties of the socialist state can fully develop only in a
state in which the genuine political authority rests
with representative assemblies emerging from fully
democratic elections. The doctrine has always been
consistent in the belief that rule of the law should be
the socialist state's basic method for realization of its
executive powers towards the citizens.
These principles of the socialist doctrine have
found a good ground in Poland where great attention
has always been attached to vesting the Sejm, or the
national representative assembly, with the special
rank of the supreme national representation as well as
with the crucial powers usually ascribed to supreme
organs of the state. Throughout the 19th-century par-
titions of Poland, the nation vividly remembered the
last-ditch attempt that the Polish Sejm had made to
prevent, alas belatedly, the loss of sovereign state-
1
hood. Ever since the Sejm has been associated with
sovereignty. The nation cherished the belief that just
as the regaining of independence was to entail the im-
mediate revival of the Sejm, so the very restoration of
this institution was to be the symbol and the guaran-
tee of consolidated independence and sovereignty.
Therefore, in reading the present Constitution of
the Polish People's Republic one should bear in mind
both its doctrinal sourees, so strongly embedded in
the contemporary circumstances and consciousness
of the Polish society, and its historical roots: the mil-
lennium-old history of the Polish statehood and the
five centuries of parliamentary system in Poland. You
cannot do without it, if you talk about the present.
The beginning of parliamentarism in Poland was
not a single event in the past. As in many other Euro-
pean countries, it was a long process of transforming
the early-feudal collective bodies of advisors to the
monarch into aseparate collective, and to a degree re-
presentative, state institution endowed with certain -
if modest at first - powers and constituting a lasting,
or gradually consolidated, component of the state sys-
tem of the Republic. It is a predominant belief among
Polish historians that in the 15th century, especially
its latter half, this process had become visibly advan-
2
ced. Historians agreed on 1493 as the year when the
Sejm representing the estates can be safely referred to
parliament, a representative and co-deciding or-
gan of state authority. A Chamber of Deputies, or
representatives of the entire nobility elected by local
assemblies of landowners and a Senate, comprising
the highest-ranking ecclesiastic and lay dignitaries,
mostly magnates, were clearly discernible in the bi-
cameral parliament in 1493. The Senate was chaired
by the King and the Deputies' Chamber by the Sejm
Speaker elected by deputies. As in many other Euro-
pean countries, the range of powers of the Polish par-
liament first involved the taxes. Apparantly the "no-
taxation-without-representatioň" rule, later on wide-
spread in Britain, had been applied in Poland earlier
than elsewhere. The Sejm's powers expanded gradu-
ally: the number of men to be enlisted in the army as
well as any new legal duties to be imposed on the citi-
zenry of noble birth were subject to the Sejm's appro-
val.
In this context, the 1505 resolution which the Polish
Sejm adopted in Radom during the reign of King Ale-
xander (Jagiellonian dynasty) and which is known as
the Nihil Novi (Nothing New) Constitution - proved
of extraordinary significance. The document forced
the king to pledge that: "from now on we (the king)
and our successors shall resolve nihil novi that might
lead to change of the general law and public freedom
3
without the joint permission from the senators and
the gentry deputies". The Nihil Novi constitution was
among the crucial building blocks that went to the lay-
ing down of the foundations of parliamentary rule in
Poland. It meant no less than the right of the Sejm to
issue legal acts. It also outlined the substantive scope
of a legal act. It played an important role in the deve-
lopment of democracy of the noblemen by shifting the
legislative gravity centre from the Senate (which was
the bastion of the magnates) to the Deputies' Cham-
ber consistently evolving towards a representation of
the entire nobility and all estates. According to Prof.
Wacław Uruszczak, an outstanding historian of the
parliamentary system in Poland, "the period from
1506 to 1540 witnessed a remarkable growth of the
Sejm's importance in the system of the Polish King-
dom. Although it was not a new institution, its almost
annual sessions turned it into a permanent element of
the state. The Sejm was a continuation of the former
assemblies. The formal procedures for shaping its
composition and the fixed venues of Sejm sittings (...)
were evidence that the principles of the Sejm process
had assumed shape much earlier than at the turn of
the 15th century. The organization of the Sejm and
the mode of its activity demonstrated elements of tra-
dition. (...) The transformations within the Sejm add-
ed to the centralization of the state. The joint organ of
authority which brought together representatives
4
ment, plays a considerable role in strengthening the
of the voivodships and territories to deliberate on
Sejm's control functions. The Board institutes checks
common issues of the whole state, consolidated the
whenever instructed by the Sejm and submits respec-
sense of unity of the interests and people."
tive reports to the Sejm. The primary duty of the Su-
In the latter half of the 16th century, following her
preme Board of Control before the Sejm is to furnish
union with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Poland be-
annual commentaries on the implementation of na-
came the "Republic of Two Nations", one of the big-
tional socio-economic plans, as well as analyses of the
gest states in Europe with about seven or eight million
execution of the budget in the preceding year. The
people inhabiting an area of 800 thousand square ki-
Board's chairman submits to the Sejm periodic re-
lometres. The Union Act signed in Lublin in 1569
ports on the state of implementation of the Sejm deci-
provided for unity of the Sejm too. A parliamentary
sions.
act of 1572 introduced set rules and dates for conve-
ning the Sejm by the monarch. Warsaw, the capital
Jerzy Wojciech Popkowski
city, was chosen as the site for ordinary Sejm mee-
tings. Later on, every third meeting was convened in
Grodno in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Meetings
of extraordinary importance were held also in other
places and particularly in Cracow.
Another highly significant law adopted by the Sejm
in the second half of the 16th century was the Confe-
deration of Warsaw of January 28, 1573, which decla-
red and instituted "everlasting peace among the citi-
zens espousing different religions and granted equal
political rights and legal protection to the dissident or
non-Catholic gentry. Expressed in contemporary
terms it was a declaration of freedom of conscience
and religion giving equal treatment to all creeds, the
first act of such religious tolerance in the 16th-century
Europe. And even though the law was not fully imple-
48
5
mented and failed to counter effectively the rampant
ting, or personally upon advance notice. Answers to
Catholic fanaticism and harassment of dissidents, it
questions are not debated.
did go down in history of Polish parliamentary system
In practice, an important control function is fulfil-
and democracy as a symbol of extraordinary impor-
led by Sejm Committees. They have become organs
tance: a substantial, legislative manifestation of the
of consistent day-to-day control over the entire acti-
strivings by the progressive segment of the gentry to
vity of the organs of state administration and the so-
make the principle of equal rights irrespective of reli-
cialist economy. They have developed a host of forms
gion a fundamental principle of the country's political
of activity such as deputies' reports accompanying go-
system.
vernment reports, field inspections by deputies' teams
Since we do not attempt to present here a complete
and subcommittees, seeking the opinion of trade uni-
chronological survey of the history of Polish parlia-
ons and social organizations, applications of opinions
mentarism, we shall confine ourselves to mentioning
offered by the Socio-Economic Council and the Team
but some of the most characteristic facts and develop-
of Sejm Advisors, consulting issues taken up by Com-
ments. The transformations of the system were the fo-
mittee with electoral districts. These actions are con-
cal point of interest for a growing number of political
ducive to comprehensive evaluations of problems
writers of the period. One of them was Andrzej Frycz
considered by the Sejm. The outcome of their work
Modrzewski, also known as Andreas Fricius Modre-
are desiderata (postulates) and opinions (stances of
vius (1503-1572), perhaps the most outstanding social
Committees) most frequently addressed to the Chair-
and political thinker of the Renaissance in Poland, a
man of the Council of Ministers of individual mini-
prolific author whose works were translated into
sters. The addressees are duty-bound to offer answers
many European languages. With his Commentato-
to them and inform the Committees about it. The ans-
rium de Republica emenanda (1551) he raced far
wers are in turn considered at Committee meetings.
ahead of his contemporaries by promoting equality
Even though the desiderata and the opinions are not
for all before the law and the state. He was for a
binding, they are important for their impact on the
strong centralized rule of the king but one that was
work of the ministers and the government. Twenty-
subject to the law to which he demanded a very spe-
one Committees are active in the Sejm.
cial place among the institutions of the social life.
The Supreme Board of Control, directly subordi-
The 16th century also saw the emergence of an in-
nate to the Sejm and independent from the govern-
6
47
ting of vote of acceptance to the government is one
stitution in Poland's constitutional law to which histo-
such form. Reports on the situation in individual do-
rians refer to as the legal interpretation of the basic
mains of socio-economic life consistently submitted
principles of the system of the Polish gentry republic.
to the Sejm play an important role in this respect too.
Known as "Henri's Articles" (in connection with the
The exercising of control powers is usually the star-
Polish King Henri de Valois, the king of France from
ting point for the formulation of motions concerning
1574), that institution followed the abandoning of the
the activity of government organs. The control is of
principle of hereditary succession in favour of royal
all-around character. In particular, the founding of
elections. Adopted by the Sejm in 1573, the Articles
the institution of the Ombudsman is conducive to the
spelled out crucial commitments that every successive
control over the observance of civil rights and free-
king pledged to fulfil by taking a respective oath. The
doms. The Ombudsman is duty-bound to submit to
articles could have borne a considerable impact on
the Sejm annual reports on his activity complete with
the development of the parliamentary system in Po-
commentary on the state of observance of the rights
land. Under the oath, the king pledged not to impose
and freedoms of citizens. These reports are made pu-
new taxes nor issue an allout call to arms without the
blic.
Sejm's prior approval and accepted the noble's right
The parliamentary control over the activity of main
to disobedience should he fail to observe his commit-
organs of the state is strengthened by the possibility to
ments (articulus de no prestanda oboedientia). While
bring the top state officials to account before the Tri-
the Articles were a document of permanent validity, a
bunal of State.
similar institution called the pacta conventa was dovi-
Deputies make extensive use of the institution of
sed as a framework to be filled with new contents de-
interpellations and question time which usually closes
pending on who was the king elect.
each Sejm meeting. The interpellations are submitted
The flourishing growth of a number of fundamental
in a written form. The answers are offered from the
institutions of the Polish parliamentary rule in the
floor or in a written form within 21 days of the day the
16th century was followed by decades of recession.
interpellations were received. An interpellation and
The liberum veto principle which required absolute
the answer to it may be put to debate. Meanwhile,
unanimity upon adopting any resolution repeatedly
questions concern relatively simple matters. They
stalled the work of the Sejm. The liberum veto and a
may be submitted in writing 24 hours before a mee-
handful of other factors proved particularly harmful
46
7
to the development of the parliamentary system and
The processes of socio-economic planning under-
greatly detracted from the role and authority of the
went considerable socialization in recent years. This
Sejm to the advantage of small factions of magnates'
found expression in the consulting of economic plans
oligarchy.
with society, especially the provisions directly concer-
Significantly - and repeatedly in the Polish history
ning the standard of living and the meeting of social
later on - the declining role and authority of the Sejm
needs. In keeping with the law - the socio-economic
as the supreme national representation and organ. of
and finance plans of the state are subject to opinion by
state power was in a clear correlation to the economic
the trade unions.
and social decline of the state. The stage has been set
The role of the Sejm in the implementation of the
for the tragic events of the 18th century.
economic reform is closely connected with socio-eco-
The complicated external and internal situation,
nomic problems. The Sejm both lays down the legal
economic predicament, inefficiency of a succession of
frameworks for the changes under way and carries
elected kings - descendants from the Saxon Wettin
them into effect.
dynasty alien to the national interests, increasing con-
tradictions and conflicts in the Polish society, anti-pa-
Control Function of the Sejm
triotic selfishness of the top strata of the propertied
classes frequently infiltrated by foreign royal courts,
Under the Constitution, the legislative function of
especially the Russian and Prussian which had a ve-
the Sejm is on a par with the control it exercises over
sted interest in the dismantling of independent Po-
the activity of other organs of authority and the state
land, all of these factors undercut the material foun-
administration. The control function is of special poli-
dations of the Polish statehood and put the further de-
tical and social importance.
stinies of the Polish state and nations under the que-
The components of control are inherent in the enti-
stion mark.
rety of the Sejm's powers. They are particularly ob-
And yet, amid the dramatic scenery, the Polish na-
vious in the consideration of draft laws and annual
tion mustered enough internal cohesion and aware-
drafts of the budget and finance plans. Annual, consi-
ness of national identity to give rise to the forces capa-
deration of government reports on execution of the
ble to undertake the course of a genuine national re-
budget and the national socio-economic plan in the
birth. The philosopher on the Polish throne, king Sta-
preceding year and the procedure governing the grant-
8
45
Adoption of Economic Plans and Budget
nisław Leszczyński (1677-1766) wrote the famous
treatise entitled Głos wolny wolność ubezpieczający
Socio-ecnomic problems occupy an important
(Voice of Freedom to Secure Freedom) in which he
place in the activity of the Sejm. The body adopts
called for indispensable socio-economic reforms, in-
long-range plans, a plan for spatial development of
cluding personal freedoms for the peasants, develop-
the country, five-year National Socio-Economic
ment of industry and trade as well as political reform
Plans and it gives its opinion on the provisions of the
which would curb the liberum veto and extend the
government-adopted Central Annual Plans, prima-
term of parliamentary sessions in order to upgrade
rily with a view to their compatibility with the five-
the role of the Sejm and improve its efficiency. Alas,
year plan.
he never had the chance to further his cause, because
The Sejm considers the National Socio-Economic
he was forced to step down from the Polish throne and
Plans in two stages. First, it offers its opinion on the
through the lagency of his father-in-law, Louis XV of
government-submitted variant of the concept of a fu-
France he assumed the reign in the duchy of Loraine
ture plan. In the second stage, the draft plan worked
and Bar where he spent the closing years of his life (he
out by the government in keeping with the variant
was buried in Nancy).
chosen by the Sejm in the first stage is given conside-
During the reign of the last Polish king Stanisław
ration. In this way the Sejm can influence the govern-
August Poniatowski (1732-1798; reigned 1764-1795),
ment work on the economic plans at all stages.
the Reformation movement brought about some
The Sejm also enjoys extensive powers as regards
slow-paced economic and social change. The intellec-
finance planning. Next to the state budget, the Sejm
tual and cultural revival fostered first attempts to re-
adopts annual fiscal plans, including the balance of
form the political system. In 1776, the Sejm appoin-
payments of the state as well as the credit plan com-
ted the 30-member Permanent Council as the su-
plete with the balance-sheet of population's incomes
preme executive organ in between the sessions of the
and spending and the assumptions of the monetary
parliament. The Council closely resembled the pre-
and credit policy. The Sejm adopts also several sepa-
sent-day council of ministers. At about the same time
rate funds, including the Central Fund for the Deve-
the Commission for National Education was founded
lopment of Culture and the Central Fund for the De-
as the first ministry of education in Europe.
velopment of Science and Technology.
1788 saw the convening of the Sejm which was to
44.
9
play a great historical role. Today we refer to it as the
The draft laws in the form proposed by Sejm Commit-
"Four-Year Sejm" or the "Grand Sejm". Stanislaw
tees are given the second reading, considered and vo-
Małachowski (1736-1809) a seasoned parliamenta-
ted upon by the house. Both the adopted and applied
rian, outstanding political activist and a merited pa-
procedure as well as the parliamentary practice create
triot was elected Speaker of the Sejm. The assembly
conditions for effective fulfilment of the law-making
made an attempt to introduce essential reforms of the
function of the Sejm.
state.
The "Government Act" adopted on May 3, 1791 is
The activity of the Constitutional Tribunal serves
known today as the May 3rd Constitution. Though
to strengthen the role of the Constitution and legal
the term "constitution" was not used in the docu-
acts in the legal system. The Tribunal rules on compa-
ment, the name is more than justified: by laying down
tibility of legal acts with the Constitution as well as of
the rights and duties of citizens and the principles of
other normative measures, especially government-is-
organization of state authority it was a constitutional
sued ordinances, with the Constitution and the legal
act or a constitution patterned on the theory of Euro-
acts. This activity does not diminish the role of the
pean constitutionalism at that time. The May 3rd
Sejm in any way. Under the Law on the Constitution-
Constitution was the world's second - after the U-
al Tribunal, the Chairman of the Tribunal submits
nited States Constitution of 1787 - act bearing such con-
verdicts on incompatibility of legal acts with the
tents and form. It was the first such act in Europe,
Constitution to the Sejm which ultimately settles the
issue.
preceding the French revolutionary constitution of
September 3rd, 1791.
Acting as the supreme organ of state authority, the
The May 3rd Constitution was the product of a
Sejm may refer issues to be laid down in Sejm acts or
sharp social and political strife. Its founding fathers -
resolutions directly to the electorate by holding a
including king Stanisław August Poniatowski, politi-
national referendum. The results of the referendum
cal activists Ignacy Potocki and Hugo Kollataj and
are binding on the Sejm. The Sejm may also subject
the Sejm Speaker Stanisław Małachowski - were re-
individual problems to public consultations. In this
formists but not revolutionaries. They were surroun-
case it is duty-bound to consider the submitted opi-
ded by followers of their patriotic endeavours, but
nions and motions as well as to make public the deg-
they had enemies too. The most hostile watchers of
ree to which they have been used.
10
43
itiative) is entrusted to the Council of State, the Gov-
the reform were the Russian, Prussian and Austrian
ernment, Sejm Committees and Sejm deputies. In.
monarchy courts which instigated and backed anti-re-
practice, the initiative is exercised chiefly by the Gov-
formist actions launched by some Polish political fac-
ernment. In many cases the bills submitted by the Go-
tions, mainly those comprising magnates. Therefore
vernment realize the postulates put forth by Sejm de-
it is justifiable to believe that the makers of the May
puties. Bills of special social or political importance
Constitution could not go any further in their refor-
are tabled directly by Sejm deputies.
mist effort. However, some historians upbraid them
The extensive procedure governing the considera-
for compromising too much in their intended political
tion of draft laws by the Sejm offers opportunity for
change. On the other hand, there are others who
all-round analyses of the issues at hand. It includes
stress the Constitution was not intended as a crowning
two readings given to each draft law at plenary sittings
of changes but just the beginning. The changes it ush-
of the Sejm, a practice which is conducive to openness
ered in were the most immediate and biggest in the
of the law-making process. In between the readings
political system of the state, in the structure and po-
the draft laws are carefully analysed by the Legislative
wers of the supreme organs of the state and as such
Committee which meets together with a Committee
they paved the way for a follow up. The reform was
relevant to the subject.
less successful, and according to some people, even
Usually, the draft laws are altered by the Commit-
too unsuccessful, in the social field. Aimed against
tees, sometimes considerably. In the course of the
the oligarchy, it consolidated the status enjoyed by
work on the draft laws numerous sub-committees and
the gentry, gave more rights to the middle class, but it
deputies' teams are appointed to consider some detail-
left out completely the social and legal standing of the
ed problems.
peasantry, problem which was becoming increasingly
Widely applied are such forms of activity as consul-
urgent.
tations with the trade unions and interested social or-
The May 3rd Constitution built on the achievement
ganizations consulting the electorate, application of
of the then constitutionalism. "All authority in the
opinións offered by the Socio-Economic Council and
human community has its beginning in the will of the
the Team of Sejm Advisors. As a result of this, gov-
nation," read one of its opening provisions. That idea
ernment bills are enriched with solutions and provi-
corresponded with the ideas of Jean Jacques Rous-
sions which are the contribution of Sejm deputies.
seau, whose writings, including the Reflections sur le
42
11
Gouvernement Polonais, were well-known in Poland.
Constitutional Tribunal as well as the Ombudsman.
However, some Polish historians insist that in Polish
These organs show different links with the Sejm and
conditions that provision primarily served to empha-
can be recalled by it in certain cases.
size the political sovereignty of the gentry-controlled
Sejm. The Constitution referred to Montesquieu's
Legislation
concept of division of authority into legislative, ex-
ecutive and judiciary one. It also voiced the principle
The importance of the law-making function of the
of a "moderate government" made up of "three au-
Sejm is connected with the importance of legal acts in
thorities (...) i.e. the legislative authority of the as-
the Polish legal system. This importance consists in
semblied estates, the supreme executive power in the
the fact that only legal acts can regulate socially im-
person of the king and the Guardians, and the judica-
portant issues, in particular the imposing of duties on
ture". Thus also in Poland the ideals of Montesquieu
citizens and the definition of the structure and scope
were to materialize in a constitutional monarchy.
of activity of state organs. The rank of legal acts grows
The extensive Article Six of the May Constitution
in step with the development of democratic forms of
included provisions concerning the organization and
social life, strengthening of civil rights and indepen-
powers of the "Sejm or the lawgiving authority".
dence of economic units. For example, the implemen-
They opened a new chapter in the history of parlia-
tation of the economic reform is accompanied by legal
mentarism in Poland. "(...) the Sejm or the assem-
regulation of mechanisms in the national economy
blied estates shall be divided into two chambers: the
which until not long ago had been defined by govern-
Deputies' Chamber and the Senators' Chamber un-
ment acts.
der the King's presidency. Being the representation
Actually the Sejm enjoys the exclusive rights to
and composition of the national omnipotence, the
enact legal norms in the rank of a law. True enough,
Deputies' Chamber shall be the temple of lawgiving.
the Council of State has the right to issue decrees with
Therefore, all drafts shall be decided in the Deputies'
the strength of law in periods between the Sejm ses-
Chamber in the first place". Further on the article de-
sions. However the decrees are subject to subsequent
fined the procedures concerning bills on the constitu-
approval by the parliament and the Council generally
tion, civil and penal law, real-estate taxes, levies, the
does not avail itself of the privilege.
currency system, drawing of public debt, the state
The right to table bills with the Sejm (legislative in-
12
41
Functions of the Sejm
budget, declaration of war and peace, ratification of
international agreements etc. It also defined the com-
position of the Senate and its role in the law-making
"The Sejm shall adopt legal acts, pass resolutions
process. The role of the Senate in the struggle against
defining the basic directions of the activity of the state
the magnates' oligarchy was substantially curtailed.
as well as shall exercise control over the activity of oth-
The Senate was given the right to veto bills concer-
er organs of authority and administration," reads
ning political, civil and penal issues however such ac-
the Constitution at one point. The statement is a gen-
tion would only suspend and not abolish the draft laws
eral definition of the functions or main directions in
adopted by the Deputies' Chamber.
the activity of the Sejm. Particular powers are defined
The Constitution introduced a number of solutions
in other provisions of the Constitution and in ordinary
concerning organization of the Sejm, and particularly
legislations. Let us focus on those of them which con-
of the Deputies' Chamber and its relation to execu-
cern the appointment or election of main organs of
tive organs. Though the "ordinary Sejm" was to meet
the state, supervision of self-management and local
every two years like before, it was supposed to be an
self-government and decisions leading to national re-
"ever-ready" assembly too, i.e. the elected members
ferenda.
could be called to session anytime it proved necessary
to consider urgent matters defined in the convocation
Appointing Main Organs of the State
act. The requirement of absolute unanimity in adop-
ting resolutions was ultimately abolished. "Every-
The 1980s witnessed a considerable extension of
thing and everywhere shall be decided by a majority of
the scope of powers of the Sejm to appoint or elect the
votes. Therefore, the liberum veto (...) running coun-
main organs of the state. The Sejm elects from among
ter the spirit of the present Constitution, disempowe-
its members the Council of State (which is a collective
ring the government and destroying the community,
presidential body), appoints the Council of Ministers,
shall be abolished forever," read the Constitution.
the Chairman of the Committee for the Defence of
The ministers too were stripped of their "vote deci-
the Country, the Chairman of the Supreme Board of
sivum" and would join the assembly only if the Sejm
Control and the Chairman of the National Bank of
demanded so and wished to hear their "explications".
Poland. It also elects the Tribunal of State and the
Also significant was the introduction of the demand
40
13
that official acts issued by the king be countersigned
organ of the Sejm is its Presidium comprising the
by a member of the cabinet or the Guardians of the
Sejm Speaker and four Deputy Speakers. The coope-
Law. The demand was a political discomfort for the
ration of Deputies' Clubs and Circles is ensured by
king but that was partly offset by the fact that the Gu-
the Convention of Seniors made up of the chairmen of
ardians of the Law were elected arbitrarily. Under the
the Clubs and Circles and the chairman of the Socio-
new regulations devised to speed up the parliamen-
Economic Council at the Sejm. The Sejm Commit-
tary process, plenary meetings were to be prepared in
tees are the Sejm's working organs appointed to pre-
advance by the equivalent of the modern parliamen-
pare issues to be considered during the sittings and to
tary commissions. Plenary meetings would be devo-
assist the Sejm in exercising its control powers.
ted only to considering, adopting, turning down alto-
gether or sending draft laws back to the commissions.
The composition of all organs of the Sejm reflects
The execution of legal acts and Sejm resolutions was
the differentiated socio-political structure of the par-
liament.
to be watched over by the Sejm Speaker who was in-
cluded among the Guardians of the Law (or the coun-
The growing role of the Sejm in deciding about cru-
cil of ministers).
cial state matters made it necessary to set up consul-
The May 3rd Constitution is a document of extraor-
tative and advisory bodies. These are the Socio-Eco-
dinary importance in the history of Polish statehood.
nomic Council and the Team of Sejm Advisors.
True it could not settle all social problems at that
In practice, the Socio-Economic Council voices its
time. True enough, it was the product of a compro-
opinion on a majority of issues considered by the
mise and perhaps advocates of radical reforms could
Sejm. The body's 250 members are appointed by the
have gone further. However, it was an expression of a
Sejm from among candidates put forth by work esta-
grand, well-considered and deeply patriotic political
blishments, trade unions, farmers' organizations, or-
concept; it expressed faith in national revival, it evi-
ganizations of cooperatives, self-government and
denced the existence of living, creative forces in the
self-management bodies.
nation which was suffering a decline. Also it manife-
Comprising 50 outstanding scientists and officials,
sted understanding for the democratic strivings which
the Team of Sejm Advisors is appointed by the Sejm
swept Europe at that time. Perhaps the constitutional
Presidium. The team provides expertise on issues
reform came belatedly, but it did come all the same.
considered by the Sejm and its organs.
14
39
deputies have emerged within the PUWP Deputies'
The Constitution reverberated widely beyond Po-
Club.
land. Several decades later, Karl Marx thus hailed the
The variety of forms of organization of Sejm depu-
document: "(...) In spite of all its shortcomings, seen
ties reflects the political, social and world outlook dif-
against the background of the Russo-Prusso-Austrian
ferences within the society and is conducive to pres-
barbarity the Constitution presents itself as the only
entation of different stances on issues considered by
independent work of freedom to have been ever crea-
the parliament.
ted by Eastern Europe."
Outside the Sejm, members of the Sejm form voivod
The functioning of Polish parliamentary system un-
ship deputies' teams comprising all deputies who
der the May 3rd Constitution was regrettably short-
won the mandates in individual voivodships. The vo-
lived. Several years after its adoption the life of the
ivodship teams of deputies have the task to create or-
gentry-controlled Republic came to an end: Russia,
ganizational conditions for maintaining their bond
Prussia and Austria partitioned the Polish lands and
with the local electorate, people's councils, and social
the sovereign Polish state was erased from the map of
and political organizations.
Europe. That was an act of unprecedented violation
of international laws, a conspiracy of the powerful
Sessions, Sittings and Organs of the Sejm
neighbours designed to liquidate a state which had
boasted centuries-long traditions and lasting values of
Under the Constitution sessions are the main mode in
national culture. The partitions were sharply con-
the Sejm's activity. Parliamentary sessions are conve-
demned by many progressive thinkers and politicians
ned by the Council of State at least twice a year, inclu-
but not by Western governments: Europe watched in
ding ordinary sessions - convened by October 31 in
silence as Poland died.
autumn and by April 1 in spring. Each session consists
But the memory of the May 3rd Constitution and
of a number of sittings. In practice, the sessions are
the Four-Year Sejm has been cherished by the nation
long and last from nine to ten months each year. Their
ever since. During the over century-long suffering un-
duration is determined by the Sejm. Sittings of the
der the yoke rule of the partitioning powers, the May
Sejm are held consistently once or twice a month.
3rd Constitution became the banner of struggle for in-
The internal structure of the Sejm and its procedu-
dependent statehood. The Polish nation had never
res are defined by the Sejm Regulations. The leading
come to terms with the loss of independence. The
38
15
19th century in this nation's history abounded with le-
political parties, social organizations, associations
gal efforts to obtain a measure of autonomous rights
and citizens irrespective of their world outlook on is-
and, first of all, with active political and armed
sues concerning the functioning and consolidation of
struggle against the partitioning authorities: the upri-
the socialist state and all-round development of the
sing of 1794 led by Kościuszko a hero of the War of In-
country" (Article Three of the Constitution), the Pa-
dependence in North America, the November Upris-
triotic Movement for National Rebirth formulates the
ing in 1830-31, the January Uprising in 1863-1864, the
electoral declaration which serves as the basis for the
Polish legions of 1914 were but the most conspicuous
election campaign and the elections.
landmarks along the way.
The position of a Sejm deputy is characterized by
The period of the Partitions saw the emergence of
his strong bond with his constituency and the neces-
more or less short-lived quasi-parliamentary institu-
sity to harmoniously combine the local and national
tions on Polish soil. By the end of the 19th century a
interests. Consequently, it is the duty of each deputy
handful of Polish political activists were even granted
to maintain the bond with his constituency, to study
seats in the partitioning powers' parliaments.
the conditions of living and work in it as well as to take
In 1807 Napoleon reinstated the Sejm in the Duchy
an active part in the work of the Sejm and its organs.
of Warsaw, but the body failed to play a role of any
The deputies enjoy a number of privileges which faci-
importance. Initially that was the case also with the
litate execution of their mandate.
Sejm in the Kingdom of Poland founded in the wake
of the Congress in Vienna in 1815 and enjoying just as
The coalitional exercise of authority is reflected in
little autonomy as any other Russian province. The
the existence of the Deputies' Clubs (caucuses) in the
Sejm came to fully exercise its autonomous authority
Sejm comprising members of political parties. They
during the November Uprising (1830-1831) when it
are the Clubs of the Polish United Workers' Party,
became an organ of the Polish nation's struggle for-in-
the United Peasant Party and the Democratic Party.
dependence. In January 1831, the Sejm ruled to strip
Some of non-party deputies, who constitute a sizeable
the Russian Tsar and his successors (the Romanov dy-
group in the Sejm, are members of three Catholic De-
nasty) of the right to the Polish throne. The defeat of
puties Circles: the Pax Association, the Christian So-
the November Uprising marked an end to the last Po-
cial Association and Polish Catholic Social Union. As
lish Sejm in the 19th century.
of recently, teams of trade union members and young
16
37
A number of deputies, not more than 15 per cent of
The threshold of the 19th century saw the emer-
the total composition of the Sejm, are elected not
gence of some quasi-parliamentarian institutions of
from the district tickets but from the national electo-
autonomous character, such as the Lvov-based Sejm
ral ticket. The candidates for the latter - with their
in Galicia under the Austrian rule. The participation
number being equal to that of mandates - are submit-
of representatives of the Polish society in the partitio-
ted by the National Council of the Patriotic Move-
ners' parliaments was perhaps best visible in the
ment for National Rebirth to the National Electoral
Hapsburg Crown's assembly in Vienna.
Convention. This process is conceived as an opportu-
The need to reinstate Sejm in reborn Poland was
nity for the entire electorate to have a say in the elec-
put forth in the programmes of nearly all indepen-
tion of people who enjoy particular authority by vir-
dence-oriented political parties and groups. For a vast
tue of their political, professional or cultural activity
part of the nation, the vision of independent Poland
on the national scale.
was inseparably coupled with the vision of the Sejm,
The results of the elections are established accor-
complete with all its attributes.
ding to majority rule. Elected are candidates who win
Towards the end of World War I the partitioning
more than a half of valid votes (absolute majority)
power in the East, the tsarist Russia crumbled. The
provided that at least a half of the people entitled to
Bolsheviks voiced Poland's right to independent state-
vote in an electoral district turn out at the polls.
hood ever since they had taken over power in Rus-
Voters have the right to lodge electoral complaints
sia. Meanwhile, Germany and the Austria-Hungary
with the Supreme Court. However, in observance of
were faced with the prospect of a total defeat in the
the superior authority of the Sejm, under the electo-
war, domestic rebellion and possible revolution. Thus
ral law the Supreme Court is duty-bound to present its
the external conditions for rebirth of independent Po-
opinion to the Sejm which ultimately rules on the
land were there. Next to them were the domestic ones
case. The voters also have the right to recall their de-
which threatened the foundations of the capitalist sy-
puty.
stem on Polish soil. The propertied classes which
The Patriotic Movement for National Rebirth plays
were getting ready to assume political rule in the re-
an important role in the elections. Being the "plat-
born Polish state feared that the revolutionary fire
form for uniting the society for the benefit of the Pol-
might catch on in Poland too. Their fears were not wi-
ish People's Republic as well as for cooperation of
thout foundations.
36
17
The socialist revolution in Russia fuelled the revo-
The Electoral Law: Deputies
lutionary moods in Poland, sped up the growth of the
class consciousness of the working people. The wor-
The Sejm comprises 460 deputies elected in gene-
kers and the peasants became more confident that
ral, equal, direct and secret ballot for a tenure of four
their social liberation was feasible too. The upper-
years. All Polish citizens aged above 18 have the right
crust bourgeoisie and big landowners who had been
to vote, while those aged over 21 have the right to be
working on a programme for the reborn Polish state
elected.
still under the partitioners, found themselves in no
The course of submitting candidacies for Sejm de-
position to counter the popular mood with their old
puties was amended under the most recent electoral
policy of reinstating monarchy with all its anti-demo-
law of 1985. The right to put up candidates was entru-
cratic consequences.
sted to the National and Voivodship Electoral Con-
The will of the Polish nation, evidenced in the deca-
ventions made up of representatives of the Patriotic
des-long consistent and steadfast independence ef-
Movement for National Rebirth, the political parties
fort, came out victorious. Poland became indepen-
and social organizations. The new law laid down con-
dent on November 11, 1918. As soon as November
ditions for increased influence of the electorate on the
26, Józef Piłsudski, the Chief of State, announced the
choice of candidates for Sejm deputies, while retai-
Electoral Law for elections to the Legislative Sejm,
ning a common electoral ticket representing all politi-
the first most democratic electoral law in Polish his-
cal forces active in the Patriotic Movement for Nation-
tory. The first elections to the Sejm were held in Ja-
al Rebirth. The new solution requires that the candi-
nuary, 1919, the Sejm assembled in early February
dacies submitted by, the political parties and social or-
and Pitsudski turned over his powers to what he refer-
ganizations are consulted with the electorate. It is
red to as the sole legitimate host of the national house-
only after the consultations that the Electoral Con-
hold.
ventions can put forth electoral tickets featuring the
Two successive constitutions laid down the founda-
names of the candidates for Sejm deputies.
tions of the legal system in Poland in 1918 to 1939.
The deputies are elected in multi-mandate electo-
They were the democratic constitution of March 17,
ral districts. However, in every district two candidates
1921 (quite substantially amended in 1926) and the
run for each mandate. By-elections are held in case a
anti-democratic one of April 23, 1935. The role of the
mandate remains vacant or expires.
18
35
The Sejm of the Polish People's Republic:
Polish Sejm in the interwar period evolved from being
the Supreme Organ of State Authority
the top authority in the democratic system to being
crippled under the authoritarian rule. The methods
In accordance with the Constitution, the Sejm of
and forms of the body's work changed accordingly in
the Polish People's Republic is the supreme organ of
the process. Like the entire state system they evolved
- as most historians unhesitatingly agree - along the
state authority which "implements the sovereign
rights of the nation". The principle of superiority of
lines which could hardly be called democratic. The
parliament in socialist states is the pivotal principle
way led from the so-called Small Constitution of 1919
and the March Constitution of 1921 - which highly
which defines the structure, the activity and mutual
relations between the main organs of the state. All or-
pleased the ideals and postulates of the bourgeois de-
gans of the state are in various ways subordinate to
mocracy to the curbs instituted in the August 1926
the Sejm and directly or indirectly accountable before
amendments and to the strictly anti-democratic con-
it. They have no way to restrict the activity of the
tents of the April 1935 Constitution.
The Constitution of 1921 laid down the legal foun-
Sejm nor to question its decisions. In turn, the will of
the electorate, voiced especially in national refe-
dations for the development of a typical parliamen-
renda, which are subject exclusively to the Sejm's de-
tary and cabinet system. It established the bicameral
cision, is binding on the Sejm.
parliament comprising the 444-member Sejm and the
111-member Senate elected in the course of equal, ge-
The superior role of the Sejm has been consolida-
neral, secret, direct and proportionate democratic
ted throughout the years since adoption of the Consti-
elections. The government was appointed by the Pre-
tution. The consolidation found expression in the
sident of the Republic but it was politically accounta-
amendments to the Constitution as well as in ordinary
ble before the Sejm which played a highly important
legislation, but first of all in the practice of political
role in the state's political system. The Sejm was a
life which favours development of socialist democ-
place where the political careers of many a parliamen-
racy. Particularly the most recent years have seen the
tarian took off. Among them were Mieczysław Nie-
introduction of new institutional developments con-
działkowski, a Polish Socialist Party activist an out-
ducive to the strengthening of the superior role of the
standing deputy and, to a degree, theoretician of so-
Sejm in the system of state organs.
cialist parliamentarism, Maciej Rataj (Sejm Speaker
34
19
in 1922-1928) and Ignacy Daszyński (Speaker in 1928-
organ, was a continuation of the Presidium of the Na-
1930). Maciej Rataj, the highly-popular peasant lea-
tional People's Council.
der commonly credited with unification of the entire
peasant movement was murdered by the Gestapo du-
The term of office of the Legislative Sejm witness-
ring World War II. Ignacy Daszyński, a champion of
ed the emergence of the present-day party system
the workers' cause, member of the Polish Socialist
consisting in the alliance of the Polish United Work-
Party distinguished himself for his fight in defence of
ers' Party with the United Peasant Party and the De-
parliamentary democracy.
mocratic Party.
From the Constitution of 1921 the way of develop-
ment of Poland's constitutional system led to the Con-
The initially intensive law-making activity of the
stitution of 1935 which validated extremely authorita-
Legislative Sejm slowed down in the second half of its
rian methods and forms of government. That Consti-
term of office which coincided with the Stalinist per-
tution did not envisage any substantial role for the
sonality cult largely responsible for curtailing the par-
parliament. Advocates of such changes tried to justify
liament's political influence.
the anti-democratic alterations of the system with the
alleged immaturity of the Polish society which made it
This nothwithstanding, the outcome of its law-ma-
no party to democratic rule. The argument - reitera-
king work proved enduring. Its crowning came with
ted before and after the 1935 Constitution by oppo-
the adoption of the Constitution of the Polish Peop-
nents of democracy - was much worn by that time.
le's Republic on July 22, 1952 which remains in force
The lessons of history were unequivocal: a democra-
today.
tic system is the sole opportunity to prepare for the
participation in democratic rule. Only democratically
The National People's Council and the Legislative
shaped prliamentary instruments may, after a time,
Sejm proceded the founding of the Sejm of the Polish
give rise to methods and forms proper to a given par-
People's Republic on the strength of the Constitution
liament, an individual style of work, parliamentary
of 1952. In spite of the diverse solutions they had
custom as well as politicians with adequate mastery of
adopted and the diverse conditions of their work they
parliamentary intercourse. Poland embarked on the
had been stages in a homogenous process of the de-
road to parliamentary democracy amid some very ad-
velopment of socialist parliamentarism.
20
33
The January 19, 1947 elections to the Legislative
verse circumstances. Hardly uniform in political
Sejm were held on the basis of a democratic electoral
terms, which was only natural in a system with contra-
law quite closely patterned after the electoral law of
dicting economic interests, the Polish society was
1922. Under the new law, the elections were general,
badly affected by ethnic and religious antagonisms
equal, direct, secret and proportionate.
and the remnants of the division into provinces during
the partitions. The sense of variance seemed to have
The January 1947 elections marked a successive
taken the upper hand over the need to unite. The
stage in the development of socialist parliamenta-
early rise of the parliament as the forum for conside-
rism. The Legislative Sejm was not only the first elec-
ration of matters of the state offered an opportunity
ted parliament in People's Poland but also the constit-
to gradually hammer out a state policy. That however
uent assembly founded to adopt the Constitution. At
has not happened.
its first meeting, the Legislative Sejm ruled to restore
The first reason for that were the very brief periods
the office of the President and adopted the so-called
in which the Sejm was actually in session. The first as-
Small Constitution which outlined the structure and
sembly of 1919 to 1922 held as many as 342 plenary sit-
mutual relations between the supreme organs of the
tings but over a period of only four years. The first
state and in many points referred directly to the Con-
Sejm under the March Constitution worked only for
stitution of 1921.
three and a half years until May 1926. Therefore
The Legislative Sejm was a unicameral parliament
many jump to the conclusion that the democratic par-
vested with extensive law-making and control po-
liamentarism of the early 1920s revealed and eviden-
wers. It held sessions twice a year when convened by
ced its inability to ensure efficient functioning of the
the President. It had 20 committees. The fairly com-
state apparatus which consequently necessitated a
plicated parliamentary process which called for three
change initiated by the anti-democratic coup d'etat of
readings of a bill at first was simplified in the latter
1926. After all, the 3rd French Republic lasted almost
half of the Sejm's term of office. The relations bet-
seventy years, whereas the British methods and forms
ween the Sejm, the President and the Government
of parliamentary work took as many as three hundred
showed a so-called parliamentary-cabinet framework
years to assume their current shape. And even though
which did not match the political relations appro-
the period's Sejms - especially in early 1920s - did fall
priate to a socialist state. The Council of State, a new
short of well-developed and profound parliamentary
32
21
skills (which was perhaps the major vice of the depu-
The fundamental political and social change was ef-
ties to the Legislative Sejm in the first place) the que-
fected under the National People's Council. The ef-
stion remains how and when were the methods and
fort included the land reform, nationalization of basic
forms supposed to be developed; how and when were
branches in the national economy, development of
the mostly first-generation politicians supposed to
the Regained Territories, reconstruction of the state
mature politically. No sooner had been the March
apparatus and the launching of postwar reconstruc-
Constitution adopted than the propertied classed
tion of the country. The Council's successor, the Leg-
launched an energetic assault against its democratic
islative Sejm adopted a special resolution in which it
assumptions and institutions which soon led to the
praised the Council's merited service to the Polish
1926 coup d'etat and its aftermath: the regime under
Nation. That assessment was confirmed on Decem-
the April 1935 Constitution.
ber 20, 1984 in a solemn resolution adopted by the
The theory according to which the society was "im-
Sejm of the Polish People's Republic on the 40th an-
mature" to the point where it became necessary to de-
niversary of the founding of the National People's
part from democratic government is untenable. Ra-
Council.
ther, it was the propertied classes who demonstrated
immaturity in a way. Their political representation
The Legislative Sejm
failed to develop ways of consolidating a power sy-
The period's earliest political and legal documents
stem which would better meet the social demands
- and especially the Manifesto by the Polish Commit-
brought along by the 20th century, i.e. a system which
tee for National Liberation of July 22, 1944 - announ-
would give a wider and more stable recognition to the
ced establishment of a parliament to replace the Na-
interests and aspirations of the working class and the
tional People's Council. Its members were to be elec-
peasants. The democratic changes in 1919-1920 and
the March Constitution had to be wrested from the
ted in the general, equal, direct, secret and pro-
portionate ballot. The decision stemmed from the
propertied classes. The gradual extinguishing of the
fundamental political thesis according to which the
revolutionary unrest in 1919-1920, progressing stabi-
future state would be shaped on the basis of democra-
lization of the propertied classes' rule and gradual
tic provisions of the 1921 Constitution. This meant a
economic improvement made it ever easier for the
firm rejection of the anti-democratic Constitution of
rich to swerve their policies away from the ideals and
1935.
22
31
liberated than the National People's Council turned
postulates of traditional democracy. Consequently,
into the first sovereign organ of state authorities, the
the forms of work of the Sejm and the Senate chan-
provisional parliament. By the same token, it gave
ged, pushing them ever further away from the demo-
rise to the development of Polish socialist parliamen-
cratic model of the early 1920s.
tarism. Ever since the day it was established, the Na-
The anti-democratic process in Poland was in line
tional People's Council had the backing of people's
with trends and doctrines pursued in many a Central
councils founded in voivodships, countries, towns
European states. The departure form the immedia-
and basic rural communes in the wake of agreements
tely postwar pattern of parliament and parliamentary
between democratic independence political groups
rule was most flagrant in the German Reich with its
and organizations.
constitutional history running from the highly demo-
Combining legislative and executive powers at the
cratic Constitution of 1919 (the so-called Weimar
time of its founding, the National People's Council
Constitution) down to the terrorist rule of the Nazi re-
appointed a provisional executive authority (govern-
gime. Mutadis mutandis similar (though in no way
ment) in the form of the Polish Committee for Nation-
identical) was the evolution of state systems in the
al Liberation (PKWN) in the just-liberated eastern
Baltic countries, in the Balkans as well as in Czechos-
provinces. The Committee went on to adopt the his-
7
lovakia and Hungary. Notwithstanding the numerous
toric July Manifesto (July 22, 1944).
and sometimes remarkable differences in the socio-
In step with consolidation of the new authorities,
economic substratum and legal consequences of these
the system of state organs developed. The Polish
changes, they were headed in the same direction.
Committee for National Liberation was replaced by
They were urged by the fast-growing rightwing orga-
the Provisional Government which subsequently be-
nizations in those countries which bespoke a total de-
came the Provisional Government of National Unity.
cline or at least a crisis of parliamentary systems in an
Members of the National People's Council became
attempt to provide the ideological basis for the me-
"deputies to the National People's Council" and the
thods of government free of any democratic controls.
body's chairman was appointed "president of the Na-
Thus the changes in Poland were not taking place in
tional People's Council. Retaining his seat with the
a void, nor did they run against any trends predomi-
Council's Presidium he continued to chair delibera-
nant in states with similar economic and class struc-
tions of the National People's Council.
ture. Instead of improving the parliamentary system,
30
23
the hostile forces moved to crush it. The outcome of
THE SEJM OF THE
such action assumed criminal proportions in Ger-
POLISH PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
many.
The authors of the March Constitution decided to
work along the lines "leading to the creation of a de-
National People's Council
mocratic parliamentary republic. Therefore the sys-
tem of the Third French Republic seemed to be the
The history of socialist parliamentary rule in Po-
best example to follow."
land started in 1944 together with the emergence of
The similarity of the legal system arrangements in-
the people's state. However, its origins should be loo-
stituted under the March Constitution (especially in
ked for in the times when the Polish nation fought
chapters referring to parliamentary rule) with the
against the Nazi German occupiers of Poland. Having
French Constitution of 1875 leaves no room for doubt.
painfully experienced the bankruptcy of the policies
Recalling the impact of the French doctrines and
pursued by the ruling classes until 1939, the nation be-
parliamentary tradition on the shape of the March
came increasingly convinced about the need to intro-
Constitution one cannot fail to mention the opinion of
duce essential social changes after the war and along
an outstanding historian of laws and system of the Pol-
5
the way develop friendly relations with the USSR, the
ish state, Stanisław Kutrzeba. He insisted that the sys-
main power in the anti-Hitler coalition. On Decem-
tem introduced under the March Constitution
ber 31, 1943, the Polish left, acting at the initiative of
should be viewed also as a continuation of Polish tra-
the Polish Workers' Party (PPR) founded the Nation-
ditions, consolidated by the May 3rd Constitution,
al People's Council (KRN). Initially it was an under-
the traditions of the legal system with their "cult" of
ground organization established to lead the struggle
parliament as the supreme representation of the na-
for national and social liberation. The period's politi-
tion which should be vested with power and trusted
cal records defined the National People's Council as
for it, but also traditions marked by a deep-running
the "de facto representation of the Polish nation".
distrust of the executive organs, state administration
The Council was not an elected body. It comprised re-
and bureaucracy a leftover from the Partition rule.
presentatives of underground progressive social, poli-
This idea of Polish bourgeois democratic parliamen-
tical and military organizations fighting the enemy.
tarism which served as the basis for the Constitution
No sonner had the first small part of Polish soil been
24
29
took place. Traits typical of such rule were seen in the
fend their Homeland against the Nazi invaders and
government's policy on ethnic minorities. Political re-
save the reputation of Polish parliamentary traditions
pression by the police was rampant. Instigation of
and the people who had made them.
anti-Communism was among the chief aims of the of-
Andrzej Gwiżdż
ficial propaganda. The army was basking in propa-
ganda favour. However, resistance from wide circles of
the society stood in the way of disbanding the opposi-
tion parties and creation of a one party system; it help-
ed save a degree of freedom of expression and free-
dom of the press; it barred the emergence of a one-
man dictatorship along the Fascist lines. These premi-
ses of development of the system of the state and its
laws are crucial to any analysis of the history of parlia-
mentary system in Poland, because the forms of par-
liamentary work shape up in a more general context.
On the second day of World War II, i.e. on Septem-
ber 2, 1939, the Sejm and Senate held an emergency
session "to consider matters connected with the state
of war". The Sejm meetings in the years immediately
preceding the war did not produce a good record in
the history of parliamentary rule in Poland. However,
faced with the imminent national disaster, the mem-
bers of the Sejm demonstrated unusual unanimity:
the two chambers unanimously voted for the legal act
which made it possible for the Sejm deputies to join
the army without losing their mandates. The moment
came when they stood united as patriots ready to de-
26
27
CONSTITUTION OF THE
POLISH PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
CONSTITUTION OF THE
POLISH PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
*
Adopted by
the Legislative Sejm
on July 22, 1952
Warsaw 1988
This text of the Constitution of the Polish People's Republic
is a consolidated text
of the basic law announced
in "The Circular of the President
of the Council of State"
of February 16, 1976
in Dziennik Ustaw No.7,
item 36 of February 21, 1976
as amended
in Dziennik Ustaw No.22,
item 81 of October 15, 1980,
No.11, item 83 of April 6, 1982
No.39, item 175 of July 22, 1983
-and No.14, item 82
of May 6, 1987.
THE POLISH PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
is a republic of the working people
The Polish People's Republic follows the finest prog-
ressive traditions of the Polish Nation and gives effect to
the liberation ideas of the Polish working masses. The
Polish working people under the leadership of the
heroic working class, and on the basis of an alliance of
workers and peasants, for many decades fought for the
liberation from the national bondage imposed upon the
Nation by the Prussian, Austrian and Russian oppres-
sors and colonizers, in the same way as they fought for
the elimination of their exploitation by the Polish
capitalists and landlords.
During the occupation, the Polish Nation fought
heroically and unflinchingly against the brutal Nazi in-
vasion. The historic victory of the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics over Fascism liberated Polish soil,
enabled the Polish working people to seize power, and
provided conditions for the national restoration of Po-
land within new and just frontiers. The Regained Ter-
ritories were for ever restored to Poland.
By carrying out the memorable directives of the
Manifesto issued by the Polish Committee of National
Liberation on July 22, 1944, and by developing its prog-
ramme, the People's Authorities have accomplished
great social changes due to the selfless and creative ef-
forts of the Polish working people in the fight against
1
the bitter resistance put up by the remnants of the
CONTENTS
former capitalist-landlords system. As a result of re-
volutionary struggles and transformations, the rule of
the capitalists and landlords has been overthrown, the
Chapter 1
-
Political System
Articles 1-10
4
State of People's Democracy has been firmly estab-
Chapter 2
-
Social and Economic System
lished, and a new social system has been evolving and
Articles 11-19
9
growing in power, according to the interests and aspira-
Chapter 3
-
Main Organs of State Power
tions of the broadest masses.
Articles 20-33
14
The legal principles of this system are laid down in the
Chapter 4
-
Constitutional Tribunal, the Tri-
Constitution of the Polish People's Republic.
bunal of State, the Supreme Cham-
The basis of the people's power in Poland today rests
ber of Control
Articles 33-36
20
on the alliance of the working class with the working
Chapter 5
-
Main Organs of State Administra-
peasants. In this alliance the leading role belongs to the
tion
workers, who are the leading class of society, rooted in
Articles 37-42
23
the revolutionary achievements of the Polish and inter-
Chapter 6
-
Local Organs of State Power and
national working class movement, and profiting by the
Administration
historic experience of the victorious building of
Articles 43-55
26
socialism in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the
Chapter 7
-
The Courts and the Prokuratura
Articles 56-66
31
first State of workers and peasants.
Chapter 8
-
Implementing the will of the Polish Nation, the
Fundamental Rights and Duties of
Citizens
Legislative Sejm of the Polish People's Republic, in ac-
Articles 67-93
35
cordance with its purposes, solemnly adopts the present
Chapter 9
-
Principles of Electoral Law
Constitution as the fundamental law by which the
Articles 94-102
47
Polish Nation and all organs of authority of the Polish
Chapter 10
-
Coat-of-Arms, Colours, National
working people shall be guided in order
Anthem and Capital of the Polish
- to consolidate the people's state as the fundamental
People's Republic
Articles 103-105
49
force assuring to the Polish Nation the highest degree of
Chapter1
-
Amendments to the Constitution
prosperity, its independence and sovereignty;
Article 106
50
2
Chapter 11
- to accelerate the political, economic and cultural
development of the Homeland, and the growth of its re-
PROCEDURE
sources;
FOR AMENDING THE
— to strengthen the patriotic feelings, the unity and
CONSTITUTION
the cohesion of the Polish Nation in its struggle still
further to improve social conditions, to eliminate com-
Article 106
pletely the exploitation of man by man, and to put into
effects the great ideals of Socialism;
The Constitution may be amended only by an Act pas-
- to tighten friendship and cooperation between na-
sed by the Sejm of the Polish People's Republic by a
tions, on the basis of the alliance and brotherhood
majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes, not less
which today link the Polish Nation with the peace-lov-
than half the total number of deputies being present.
ing nations of the world for the attainment of their com-
mon aim - to make aggression impossible and to con-
solidate world peace.
50
3
Chapter 1
Chapter 10
POLITICAL SYSTEM
COAT-OF-ARMS
COLOURS, NATIONAL ANTHEM,
AND CAPITAL OF THE
POLISH PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
Article 1
1. The Polish People's Republic shall be a socialist
State.
Article 103
2. In the Polish People's Republic the power shall be
1. The image of a white eagle on a red field shall be the
vested in the working people of town and country.
coat-of-arms of the Polish People's Republic.
2. White and red shall be the colours of the Polish
People's Republic.
Article 2
3. Dąbrowski's Mazurka shall be the national anthem
of the Polish People's Republic.
1. The working people shall wield State authority
4. Particulars shall be specified by law.
through their representatives to the Sejm of the
Polish People's Republic and to the People's Coun-
cils on the basis of universal, equal and direct suf-
Article 104
frage by secret ballot.
The coat-of-arms, colours, and national anthem of the
2. The people's representatives to the Sejm of the
Polish People's Republic shall enjoy respect and be an
Polish People's Republic and to the People's Coun-
object of special protection.
cils shall be accountable to their constituents and
may be recalled by them.
3. Exercising of state authority by the working people
Article 105
occurs also through expressing will by way of re-
Warszawa, the city which embodies the heroic tradi-
ferendum. The principles and the way of carrying
tions of the Polish Nation, shall be the capital of the
out a referendum are determined by law.
Polish People's Republic.
4
49
Article 98
Article 3
Citizens serving in the Army shall have all electoral
1. The Polish United Workers' Party shall be the guid-
rights on equal terms with civilians.
ing political force of society in building socialism.
2. The alliance and collaboration of the Polish United
Article 99
Workers' Party with the United Peasant Party and
Electoral rights shall be denied to persons of unsound
the Democratic Party in the building of socialism as
mind, and to persons deprived of public rights by a
well as their cooperation with social organizations
court decision.
and associations standing on the grounds of the prin-
ciples of the system of the Polish People's Republic
Article 100
constitute the foundation of the Patriotic Movement
for National Rebirth.
Candidates to the Sejm and candidates to the People's
3. The Patriotic Movement for National Rebirth is a
councils shall be nominated by political and social or-
platform of the unification of the society for the good
ganizations in town and country.
of the Polish People's Republic, as well as for the
cooperation of political parties, social organizations
Article 101
and associations, as well as of citizens regardless of
It shall be the duty of deputies to the Sejm and of mem-
their world outlook- in matters concerning the func-
bers of the People's Councils to report to the electors on
tioning and strengthening of the socialist State and
their work and on the activity of the body to which they
the all-round development of the country.
have been elected.
Article 4
Article 102
1. In the Polish People's Republic it shall be the prim-
The procedure for the nomination of candidates and for
ary objective of the State activity to develop socialist
holding elections, as well as the procedure for the recall
society in all its aspects, to expand creative forces of
of deputies to the Sejm and members of People's Coun-
the Nation and of each person and to meet the needs
cils, shall be defined by law.
of citizens more and more adequately.
2. The Polish People's Republic is implementing the
48
5
nationwide aspirations of the working class, derives
Chapter 9
from its achievements and activity, expands the par-
ticipation of workers in the resolution of the prob-
PRINCIPLES OF ELECTORAL LAW
lems of the State of the society and economy and
strengthens the alliance of workers-peasants.
Article 94
Article 5
Elections to the Sejm and to the People's Councils shall
The Polish People's Republic:
be universal, equal, direct, and by secret ballot.
(1) shall safeguard and expand the socialist achieve-
ments of the Polish working people of town and
country, their authority and freedom;
Article 95
(2) shall ensure that citizens participate in government,
and shall promote various forms of self-govern-
Every citizen who has attained the age of eighteen
ment by the working people;
years, irrespective of sex, nationality and race, religion,
(3) shall develop the productive forces of the country
education, length of residence, social origin, profession
and the national economy through a planned use
or financial status shall have the right to vote.
and increase of its material resources, rational work
organization, and continuous progress of science
Article 96
and technology;
Every citizen who has attained the age of eighteen years
(4) shall strengthen public ownership as the mainstay
shall be qualified to be elected to the People's Councils,
of the economic force of the country and of national
and every citizen who has attained the age of twenty one
welfare;
years shall be qualified to be elected to the Sejm.
(5) shall implement the principles of social justice,
eliminate the exploitation of man by man, and
counteract any infringements of the principles of
Article 97
social life;
(6) shall provide conditions conducive to a steady rise
Women shall have all electoral rights on equal terms
with men.
in the living standard and to a progressive oblitera-
47
6
Article 92
tion of distinctions between town and country, bet-
1. It shall be the sacred duty of every citizen to defend
ween manual and non-manual labour;
the Homeland.
(7) concerned about national development, shall pro-
2. Military service shall be an honourable patriotic duty
tect the family, motherhood and the education of
of citizens of the Polish People's Republic.
the young generation;
(8) shall take care of public health;
Article 93
(9) shall promote and spread education;
(10)shall ensure the all-round development of science
1. It shall be the duty of every citizen of the Polish
and national culture.
People's Republic to exercise vigilance against
enemies of the Nation and to guard State secrets
carefully.
Article 6
2. High treason: espionage, subverting the Armed
In its policy the Polish People's Republic -
Forces, desertion to the enemy - shall be punished as
(1) shall be guided by the interests of the Polish Nation,
the gravest of crimes, with all severity of law.
its sovereignty, independence and security, by the
will for peace, and co-operation among nations;
(2) shall follow the noble traditions of solidarity with
the forces of freedom and progress, shall consoli-
date friendship and co-operation with the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics and other socialist States;
(3) shall base its relations with States of different social
systems on the principles of peaceful co-existence
and co-operation.
Article 7
The Polish People's Republic shall implement and de-
velop a socialist democracy.
46
7
Article 8
Article 88
1. The laws of the Polish People's Republic shall ex-
The Polish People's Republic shall grant asylum to na-
press the interests and the will of the working
tionals of other states persecuted in connection with de-
people.
fending the interests of the working people, the struggle
2. Strict observance of the law shall be the fundamental
for social progress, activities in defence of peace, the
duty of every organ of State and of every citizen.
struggle for national liberation, or as a result of scien-
3. All the organs of State authority and administration
tific activity.
shall work on the basis of the law.
Article 89
Article 9
Polish citizens staying abroad shall enjoy the protection
In their work all the organs of State authority and ad-
of the Polish People's Republic.
ministration shall rest upon the conscious and active
support of the broadest masses and shall have the duty-
Article 90
(1) to account to the people for their work;
It shall be the duty of every citizen of the Polish People's
(2) to examine carefully and comply with reasonable
Republic to abide by the provisions of the Constitution
proposals, complaints and suggestions, in keeping
and laws, to maintain socialist work discipline, to re-
with the law;
spect the principles of community life, and to do his
(3) to explain to the working people principal objec-
duty toward the State scrupulously.
tives and guiding principles of the policy pursued by
the people's authority in various fields of State,
Article 91
economic and cultural activity.
It shall be the duty of every citizen of the Polish
Article 10
People's Republic to safeguard public ownership
The Armed Forces of the Polish People's Republic shall
and to strengthen it as the firm foundations of the
safeguard the sovereignty and independence of the
State's development and a source of the wealth and
Polish Nation, its security and peace.
power of the Homeland.
45
8
Article 86
Chapter 2
1. Citizens of the Polish People's Republic shall partici-
pate in exercising social control, in consultations and
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEM
discussions on key issues concerning the develop-
ment of the country, and shall submit their sugges-
tions.
Article 11
2. Citizens shall have the right to approach all organs of
the State with appeals, complaints and grievances.
1. The socialist economic system, based on socialized
3. Appeals, complaints and grievances of citizens shall
means of production and socialist production rela-
be examined and settled without delay and justly.
tions, shall constitute foundations of the socio-
Those guilty of protraction or an indifferent and
economic system of the Polish People's Republic.
bureaucratic attitude, shall be called to responsibil-
2. The Polish People's Republic shall develop the
ity.
economic and cultural life of the country in accor-
dance with the national socio-economic plan.
Article 87
3. It shall be the principal objective of socio-economic
policy of the Polish People's Republic to steadily im-
1. The Polish People's Republic shall guarantee to its
prove the standard of living and social and cultural
citizens the inviolability of the person. A citizen may
facilities of society, to constantly develop the pro-
be deprived of his freedom only in cases specified by
ductive forces of the country, to strengthen and in-
the law. A detained person shall be set free unless a
crease the power, defence capacity and indepen-
warrant of arrest issued by the court or by pro-
dence of the Country.
kurator has been served on him within forty-eight
4. The State shall have the monopoly of foreign trade.
hours from the moment of his detention.
2. The inviolability. of the home and the privacy of cor-
Article 12
respondence shall be protected by law. The home
may be searched only in cases specified by law.
1. The all-national property, especially mineral de-
3. Property may be confiscated only in cases specified
posits, primary sources of energy, State-owned land,
by law, by virtue of a final judgement.
waters, State forests, mines, State industrial, farm-
ing and commercial enterprises, State-owned public
44
9
utilities, banks, State stock of housing, roads, State-
Article 84
owned means of transport and communications,
radio, television and film, State welfare, educa-
1. In order to promote the political, social, economic,
tional, scientific, and cultural institutions - shall be
and cultural activities of the working people of town
an object of special care and protection by the State
and country, the Polish People's Republic shall
guarantee to its citizens the right of association.
and by all citizens.
2. The Polish People's Republic shall ensure the pro-
2. Political organizations, trade unions, associations of
tection and proper shaping of the natural environ-
working peasants, co-operative associations, youth,
women's, sports and defence organizations, cul-
ment, which is an all-national asset,
tural, technical and scientific societies, as well as
other social organizations of the working people,
Article 13
shall unite citizens for their active participation in
State enterprises, economically managing the part of all
political, social, economic, and cultural life.
national property entrusted to them, shall implement
3. It shall be prohibited to set up and to participate in
economic and social tasks according to plan. Workers
associations whose objective or activities menace the
shall take part in running their enterprises.
socio-political system or the legal order of the Polish
People's Republic.
Article 14
Article 85
1. The Polish People's Republic shall strengthen, in a
planned way, the economic union of town and coun-
Trade Unions shall play an important part in the Polish
try, founded on the brotherly co-operation between
People's Republic as a mass organization which takes
workers and peasants.
part in the formulation and implementation of tasks
2. For this purpose, the Polish People's Republic shall
aimed at the socio-economic advancement of the coun-
secure a continuous increase in the output of State
try; the Trade Unions shall represent the interests and
industry, serving to meet the needs of the rural
rights of the working people, and shall be the school of
population in every respect, both as producers and
civic activeness and involvement in the building of
consumers; at the same time the State shall seek to
socialist society.
stimulate in a planned manner a steady increase in
10
43
tion of disputes, or humiliation of man on account of
marketable agricultural production, which supplies
national, racial or religious differences, shall be pro-
industry with raw materials, and the urban popula-
hibited.
tion with foodstuffs.
Article 82
Article 15
1. The Polish People's Republic shall guarantee free-
The Polish People's Republic, anxious to ensure an
dom of conscience and religion to its citizens. The
adequate level of nutrition:
Church and other religious societies and organiza-
(1) shall enable agriculture a steady increase in agricul-
tions shall freely exercise their religious functions.
tural production, promoting socialist transforma-
Citizens shall not be prevented from taking part in
tions in country and a higher standard of living for
religious activities and rites. No one may be compel-
farmers;
led to participate in religious activities or rites.
(2) shall see to the proper use of land, which is an all-
2. The Church shall be separated from the State. The
national asset;
principles of the relationship between Church and
(3) shall protect the private family farms of working
State, and the legal and patrimonial position of re-
peasants, guarantee the continuity of these farms,
ligious communities shall be defined by law.
and assist them to increase productivity and to raise
the technological level of agriculture, promote the
expansion of farming self-management, especially
Article 83
of farming associations and their cooperatives; pro-
mote cooperation and specialized production, ex-
1. The Polish People's Republic shall guarantee its citi-
pand the links connecting private farms with the
zens freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly
socialist national economy.
and gatherings, of processions and demonstrations.
(4) shall give support and aid to collective farms set up
2. To put these freedoms into effect, the working people
on the principle of voluntary membership, espe-
and their organizations shall be given the use of
cially to co-operative farms;
printing shops, stocks of paper, public buildings and
(5) shall develop and strengthen State farms, which are
halls, means of communication, the radio, and other
a form of highly efficient socialist economy in ag-
necessary material means.
riculture, and which promote new techniques in
42
11
farming and the development of the whole agricul-
4. Children born out of wedlock shall have equal rights
ture.
with those born in wedlock.
5. Regardful of the interests of the family, the Polish
Article 16
People's Republic shall strive to improve housing
The Polish People's Republic shall promote the expan-
conditions, and in co-operation with citizens it shall
sion of various forms of the co-operative movement in
develop and promote various forms of residential
town and country, and give it every help in the fulfil-
construction, especially those conducted by co-
ment of its task; co-operative ownership as a form of
operative societies; importance shall be attached to
public ownership shall be an object of special care and
proper management of the housing resources.
protection.
Article 80
Article 17
The Polish People's Republic shall pay special attention
to the education of youth and shall afford it great oppor-
The Polish People's Republic shall recognize and pro-
tunities of development and provide conditions for ac-
tect - on the basis of the law - individual ownership and
tive participation of the young generation in public,
the right to inherit land, buildings and other means of
political, economic, and cultural life, teaching the youth
production owned by peasants, craftsmen and home-
to be co-responsible for the progress of the Homeland.
workers.
Article 81
Article 18
1. Citizens of the Polish People's Republic, irrespective
The Polish People's Republic shall guarantee to citizens
of nationality, race or religion, shall enjoy equal
full protection of personal ownership and the right to in-
rights in all fields of public, political, economic, so-
herit such ownership.
cial, and cultural life. Infringement of this principle
by any direct or indirect preferences or restrictions
Article 19
of rights on account of nationality, race or religion
1. Work shall be the right, the duty, and a matter of
shall be punishable.
honour for every citizen. By their work, by the ob-
2. The spreading of hatred or contempt, the provoca-
41
12
2. The equality of rights of women shall be guaranteed
servance of work discipline, by competitive efforts in
by -
work and improving its methods, the working
(1) equal rights with men to work and pay according
people of town and country shall increase the power
to the principle "equal pay for equal work", the
of the Country, raise the prosperity of the people
right to rest and leisure, to social insurance, to
and accelerate the full implementation of the
education, to honours and decorations, to hold
socialist system.
public offices;
2. Work champions and veterans of labour shall enjoy
(2) mother-and-child care, protection of expectant
the respect of the whole Nation.
mothers, paid leave before and after confine-
3. The Polish People's Republic shall progressively put
ment, the development of a network of mater-
into practice the principle: "From each according to
nity clinics, creches and nursery schools, the ex-
his ability, to each according to his work".
tension of a network of service establishments,
restaurants and canteens.
3. The Polish People's Republic shall consolidate the
position of women in society, especially of gainfully-
employed mothers and women.
Article 79
1. Wedlock, motherhood and family shall be
safeguarded and protected by the Polish People's
Republic. The State shall extend special protection
to families with many children.
2. It shall be the parents' duty to bring up their children
to become law-abiding citizens of the Polish People's
Republic, aware of their duties.
3. The Polish People's Republic shall ensure the im-
plementation of the rights and obligations as regards
alimony.
40
13
Chapter 3
the most advanced thought of mankind and of progres-
sive Polish thought, that is, science in the service of the
MAIN ORGANS OF STATE POWER
Nation.
Article 75
Article 20
1. The Sejm of the Polish People's Republic shall be
The Polish People's Republic shall concern itself with
the supreme organ of State power.
the development of literature and arts which express the
2. The Sejm as the supreme representative of the will
needs and aspirations of the nation, and which are in
of the working people of town and country shall give
keeping with the best progressive traditions of Polish
form to the sovereign rights of the Nation.
creativity.
3. The Sejm shall pass laws, shall adopt resolutions
Article 76
which define basic lines of State activity, and shall
exercise control over the work of other organs of
The Polish People's Republic shall extend comprehen-
State power and administration.
sive protection to the veterans of struggles for national
and social liberation.
Article 21
Article 77
1. The Sejm shall be composed of 460 deputies.
2. The validity of the election of a deputy shall be con-
The Polish People's Republic shall extend special pro-
firmed by the Sejm.
tection to the creative intelligentsia - to those working
3. No deputy may be prosecuted or arrested without
in the field of science, education, literature and art, as
the consent of the Sejm, and when the Sejm is not
well as to pioneers of technological progress, rationaliz-
holding its meeting, without the consent of the
ers and inventors.
Council of State.
Article 78
Article 22
1. Women in the Polish People's Republic shall have
1. The Sejm shall meet in sessions. A session of the
equal rights with men in all the fields of public, politi-
Sejm shall be convened by the Council of State at
cal, economic, social, and cultural life.
14
39
(4) development of higher education,
least twice a year. The Council of State shall also
(5) assistance from the State in raising the skills of
convene a session on a written motion by one-third
citizens employed in industrial establishments
of the total number of deputies.
and other places of employment in town and
2. The first session of a newly-elected Sejm shall be
convened within a month from the date of the elec-
country,
(6) the scheme of State scholarships, the develop-
tion.
ment of hostels, boarding schools and students'
Article 23
hostels, as well as other forms of material aid for
1. The Sejm shall elect from among its members a Speak-
the children of workers, working peasants and
er, his Deputies and Committees.
the intelligentsia.
2. The Speaker or his Deputy shall preside over the de-
bates and supervise the course of the work of the
Article 73
Sejm.
1. Citizens of the Polish People's Republic shall have
3. The debates of the Sejm shall be open to the public.
the right to benefit from cultural achievements and
The Sejm may vote the holding of a secret meeting
to creatively participate in the development of na-
should this be required by the interests of the State.
tional culture.
4. The order of work of the Sejm, the type and number
2. This right shall be increasingly ensured, by develop-
of Committees shall be defined by rules of procedure
ing and making available to the working people of
adopted by the Sejm.
town and country libraries, books, press, radio,
cinemas, theatres, museums and exhibitions, houses
Article 24
of culture, clubs, and recreation rooms; by the ex-
1. The Sejm shall adopt the national socio-economic
tensive promotion of the cultural creative activity of
plans for a period of several years.
the people and by the stimulation of creative talents.
2. The Sejm shall annually adopt a State budget.
3. The Sejm shall grant exoneration to the Govern-
Article 74
ment regarding the execution of the State budget
The Polish People's Republic shall foster the all-round
and of the national socio-economic plan for the pre-
development of science based on the achievements of
ceding year.
15
38
Article 25
(1) the development of social insurance to cover
1. The right to table bill legislation shall be vested in the
sickness, old age and disability to work, and of
Council of State, the Government and the deputies.
various forms of social assistance;
2. Acts passed by the Sejm shall be signed by the Chair-
(2) the development of State-organized protection
man and Secretary of the Council of State. Such acts
of health and the raising of health standards of
shall be published in the Journal of Laws (Dziennik
the population, free medical assistance for all
Ustaw) by order of the President of the Council of
working people and their families, a steady im-
State.
provement of safety conditions, protection and
hygiene of work, extensive prevention and
Article 26
treatment of diseases, and care for the disabled;
(3) the development of hospitals, sanatoria, out-pa-
The Sejm may appoint a committee to examine a
tient clinics, medical aid centres, and sanitation
specified matter. The terms of reference and procedure
facilities.
of the committee shall be established by the Sejm.
Article 71
Article 27
Citizens of the Polish People's Republic shall have the
The Prime Minister or individual ministers shall answer
right to benefit from the natural environment and it
an interpellation put up by a deputy within the time-
shall be their duty to protect it.
limit and in the manner determined by the Sejm.
Article 72
1. Citizens of the Polish People's Republic shall have
Article 28
the right to education.
1. The Sejm shall be elected for a term of four years.
2. The right to education shall be ensured on an ever in-
2. The Council of State shall make orders to hold elec-
creasing degree by -
tions not later than one month before the expiry of
(1) free education,
the term of office of the Sejm, the polling day to be
(2) universal and compulsory elementary educa-
fixed on a day free of work within two months after
tion,
the expiry of the Sejm's term of office.
(3) universalization of secondary education,
16
37
steady promotion of scientific and technological
Article 29
progress in the national economy, the system of edu-
cation and raising of professional qualifications.
1. At its first sitting the Sejm shall elect, from among its
members, a Council of State composed of the Presi-
Proper implementation of the right to work shall be
dent of the Council of State, four vice-Presidents,
ensured by the socialist labour legislation.
the Secretary of the Council of State, eleven Mem-
Árticle 69
bers.
1. Citizens of the Polish People's Republic shall, have
2. The Speaker and Deputy Speakers of the Sejm may
be elected to the Council of State as vice-Chairmen
the right to rest and leisure.
or as Members.
2. The right to rest and leisure shall be assured to work-
3. After the expiry of the term of office of the Sejm, the
ers by the statutory reduction of work time through
Council of State shall act until the election of a Coun-
the application of the eight-hour working day or
cil of State by the newly-elected Sejm.
shorter work time in cases specified by law, by statut-
*
ory days free of work, and annual paid holidays.
3. The organization of workers' holiday schemes, the
Article 30
development of tourism, health resorts, sports
R.
1. The Council of State shall have power -
facilities, community centres, clubs, recreation
(1) to make orders to hold elections to the Sejim,
rooms, parks and other leisure time facilities shall
(2) to convene sessions of the Sejm,
provide opportunities for healthy and cultural recre-
(3)
(deleted)
ation to an increasing number of working people in
(4) to establish universally binding interpretation of
town and country.
laws,
Article 70
(5) to issue law-decrees,
(6) to appoint and to recall plenipotentiary repre-
1. Citizens of the Polish People's Republic shall have
sentatives of the Polish People's Republic in
the right to health protection and to aid in the event
other States,
of sickness or disability to work.
(7) to receive letters of credence and of recall of dip-
2. This right shall be put into effect on an increasing
lomatic representatives of other States accre-
scale through -
dited to the Council of State,
36
17
(8) to ratify and denounce international treaties,
Chapter 8
(9) to appoint to civilian and military posts specified
by law,
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND
(10) to award orders and decorations, and to confer
DUTIES OF CITIZENS
titles of honour,
(11) to exercise the right of pardon,
Article 67
(12) to exercise other functions vested in the Council
of State by the Constitution or assigned to it by
1. The Polish People's Republic, by consolidating and
other laws.
multiplying the achievements of the working people,
2. The Council of State shall be accountable to the
shall strengthen and extend the rights and freedoms
Sejm for all its work.
of citizens.
3. The Council of State shall function on the principle
2. Citizens of the Polish People's Republic shall have
of colleagueship.
in
equal rights irrespective of sex, birth, education,
4. The Council of State shall be represented by its Pres-
trade or profession, nationality, race, religion, social
ident or a vice-President.
status and origin.
Article 31
3. It shall be the duty of the citizens of the Polish
People's Republic to conscientiously perform their
1. In the intervals between sessions of the Sejm, the
duties toward the Homeland and contribute to its
Council of State may issue law-decrees. The Council
development.
of State shall submit such law-decrees for approval
to the Sejm at its next session.
Article 68
2. Law-decrees issued by the Council of State shall be
signed by the President of the Council of State and
1. Citizens of the Polish People's Republic shall have
its Secretary. Law-decrees shall be published in the
the right to work: that is, the right to employment
Dziennik Ustaw (Journal of Laws) by order of the
paid in accordance with the quantity and quality of
President of the Council of State.
the work done.
Article 32
2. The right to work shall be ensured by: the socialist
economic system, the planned growth of productive
The Council of State shall exercise superior supervision
forces, economical use of all factors in production, a
18
35
Article 65
over the People's Councils. Specific powers of the
1. The Prokurator General shall be appointed and re-
Council of State in this respect shall be defined by law.
called by the Council of State.
Article 33
2. The mode of appointing and recalling prokurators
1. A decision concerning the declaration of a state of
subordinate to the Prokurator General and the prin-
war may be adopted only in the event of armed ag-
ciples of organization and procedure of the organs of
gression having been committed against the Polish
the prokuratura shall be defined by law.
People's Republic, or when, in pursuance of interna-
3. The Prokurator General shall be accountable to the
tional agreements, joint defence against aggression
Council of State for the activity of the prokuratura.
should be necessary. Such a decision shall be
adopted by the Sejm, or, when the Sejm is not hold-
Article 66
ing its meeting - by the Council of State.
The organs of the prokuratura shall be subordinate to
2. The Council of State may impose martial law in parts
Prokurator General of the Polish People's Republic
or in the entire territory of the Polish People's Re-
and in the exercise of their functions they shall be inde-
public, if this is required with regard to defence or
pendent of local organs.
external danger to the security of the State. For the
same reasons the Council of State may proclaim par-
tial or general mobilization.
3. The Council of State, and in cases of great urgency,
the President of the Council of State, may impose a
state of emergency for a specified period of time in a
part, or in the entire territory of the Polish People's
Republic, if the internal security of the State is in
danger, or in cases of natural calamity.
4. The conditions and legal effects, as well as the proce-
dure for the declaration of a state of war and the in-
troduction of martial law and a state of emergency
are defined by law.
34
19
Chapter 4
4. From among the Supreme Court judges, the Council
of State shall appoint the First President and Presi-
CONSTITUTIONAL TRIBUNAL,
dents of the Supreme Court. It may also recall them.
TRIBUNAL OF STATE,
SUPREME CHAMBER OF CONTROL
Article 62
Judges shall be independent and subject only to the law.
Article 63
Article 33a
1. Cases in all courts of the Polish People's Republic
1. The Constitutional Tribunal adjudicates on the con-
shall be heard in public. The law may specify excep-
formity of laws with the Constitution and other nor-
tions to this rule.
mative acts enacted by main and central State or-
2. The accused shall be guaranteed the right to de-
gans.
fence. The accused may have defence counsel,
2. Judgements of the Constitutional Tribunal on non-
either of his own choice, or appointed by the court.
conformity of laws with the constitution are subject
to examination by the Sejm.
3. Judgements of the Constitutional Tribunal on non-
Article 64
conformity of other normative acts with the Con-
1. The Prokurator General of the Polish People's Re-
stitution are binding. The Constitutional Tribunal
public shall safeguard the people's rule of law; shall
applies means to remove the nonconformity.
watch over the protection of social property; shall
4. Members of the Constitutional Tribunal are elected
ensure that the rights of citizens be respected.
by the Sejm from among persons who are distin-
2. The Prokurator General shall, in particular, super-
guished in the knowledge of law.
vise the prosecution of offences which endanger the
5. Members of the Constitutional Tribunal are inde-
social and political system, security and indepen-
pendent and subject only to the Constitution.
dence of the Polish People's Republic.
6. The competence, organization and procedure of the
3. The scope and mode of activity of the Prokurator
Constitutional Tribunal shall be determined by law.
General shall be defined by law.
20
33
Article 59
Article 33b
1. People's lay-judges shall take part in the hearing of
1. The Tribunal of State adjudicates the respon-
cases and in the pronouncement of judgement, ex-
sibility for infringements on the Constitution and
cept in so far as laws provide otherwise.
laws by persons holding supreme State offices
2. When adjudicating upon cases in courts, the
named in the law.
people's lay-judges shall have the same rights as pro-
2. The Tribunal of State may adjudicate the criminal
fessional judges.
responsibility of persons, who are being prosecuted
3. People's lay-judges shall be elected by People's
under conditions specified in Item 1 and for criminal
Councils.
offences committed in connection with their office.
4. The mode of the election of people's lay-judges in
3. The Tribunal of State is elected by the Sejm from
voivodship, regional and special courts and their re-
persons not being deputies for a period of its term of
spective terms of office shall be defined by law.
office.
4. The First President of the Supreme Court shall be
Article 60
the Chairman of the Tribunal of State.
1. Judges shall be appointed and recalled by the Coun-
5. Judges of the Tribunal of State are independent and
cil of State.
subject only to the laws.
2. The mode of the appointment and recall of judges
6. The competence, organization and procedure of the
shall be defined by law.
Tribunal of State shall be determined by law.
Article 34
Article 61
1. The Supreme Court shall be the main judicial organ
1. The Supreme Chamber of Control is authorized to
and shall supervise the work of all other Courts with
control the economic, financial and organizational-
respect to the pronouncement of judgement.
administrative activities of organs of state administ-
2. The mode of exercising supervision by the Supreme
ration, enterprises and other organizational units
Court shall be defined by law.
subordinated to them, from the point of view of le-
3. The supreme Court shall be appointed by the Coun-
gality, efficacy, appropriateness and reliability.
cil of State for a term of five years.
2. The Supreme Chamber of Control may also under-
32
21
take, within the scope determined by law, a control
Chapter 7
of cooperative organizations and their unions, social
organizations as well as units of the non-socialized
THE COURT AND
economy.
THE PROKURATURA
Article 35
Article 56
1. The Supreme Chamber of Control is subordinated
1. The administration of justice in the Polish People's
to the Sejm.
Republic shall be carried out by the Supreme
2. The Supreme Chamber of Control shall present to
Court, voivodship courts, regional courts, and spe-
the Sejm its remarks to a report of the Council of
cial courts.
Ministers concerning the implementation of the na-
2. Boards for the adjudication of petty offences shall
tional socio-economic plan and analyses of the im-
settle judicially the cases of petty offences.
plementation of the State budget.
3. The structure, jurisdiction and procedure of the
3. The Supreme Chamber of Control shall present, an-
courts and of the boards for the adjudication of
nually, a report to the Sejm on its activities.
petty offences shall be defined by law.
4. The scope of competence of the Council of State in
relation to the Supreme Chamber of Control shall be
Article 57
determined by law.
The Courts shall pronounce judgement in the name of
Article 36
the Polish People's Republic.
1. The Chairman of the Supreme Chamber of Control
Article 58
is nominated and recalled by the Sejm.
The Courts shall be custodians of the social and politi-
2. The Supreme Chamber of Control functions on prin-
cal system of the Polish People's Republic, they shall
ciples of colleagueship. The organization and mode
protect the achievements of the Polish working pe-
of functioning of the Supreme Chamber of Control is
ople, they shall safeguard the people's rule of law, so-
determined by law.
cial property and the rights of citizens; they shall pu-
nish offenders.
22
31
People's Council shall abrogate a resolution of a
Chapter 5
People's Council at a lower level if such a decision is
contrary to the law or non conformant with the basic
MAIN ORGANS OF STATE
line of State policy.
ADMINISTRATION
Article 55
Article 37
Detailed composition, competence and rules of proce-
dure of the People's Councils and their organs shall be
1. The Sejm shall appoint and recall the Government
established by law.
of the Polish People's Republic - the Council of
Ministers or its individual members.
2. In the intervals between sessions of the Sejm, the
Council of State, on the recommendation of the
:
Prime Minister, shall appoint or recall members of
the Council of Ministers. The Council of State shall
submit its decision for approval to the Sejm at its
next session.
Article 38
1. The Council of Ministers shall be the main executive
and administrative organ of State power.
2. The Council of Ministers shall be answerable and ac-
countable for its work to the Sejm, or, when the
Sejm is not holding its meetings, to the Council of
State.
Article 39
1. The Council of Ministers shall be composed of
30
23
Prime Minister as its chairman,
gans of State administration as well as executive and
deputy Prime Ministers,
administrative organs of respective People's Coun-
Ministers,
cils.
Chairmen of Commissions and Committees
2. A local organ of State administration shall be re-
specified by law, who exercise the functions of the
sponsible to the organ of State administration of a
main organs of State administration.
higher level; it shall be accountable to the competent
2. The Prime Minister and deputy Prime Ministers
People's Council as regards the performance of tasks
shall constitute the Government Presidium. The
assigned by the People's Council.
Council of Ministers may appoint its other members
to join the Government Presidium.
Article 52
1. Voivodes, mayors or heads of towns, chiefs of
Article 40
boroughs and heads of communes, shall exercise
1. The Prime Minister shall direct the work of the
State administration on the basis of the law and di-
Council of Ministers and of the Government Pres-
rectives issued by relevant superior organs.
idium.
2. Voivodes and mayors of cities with the status of a
2. The Prime Minister in pursuance of laws and in
voivodship shall be representatives of the Govern-
order to put them into effect shall issue orders and
ment in their respective areas.
regulations.
Article 53
Article 41
The People's Councils shall appoint committees for par-
The Council of Ministers -
ticular spheres of their activity. The committees of the
(1) shall co-ordinate the activities of ministries and
People's Councils shall maintain regular and close links
other bodies under its jurisdiction, and issue direc-
with the population, shall stimulate the people to co-op-
tives as to their work;
erate in the implementation of the Council's tasks, shall
(2) shall annually adopt and submit to the Sejm State
exercise social control on behalf of the Council and shall
budget estimates, adopt and submit to the Sejm a
submit proposals to the Council or its organs.
draft of the national socio-economic plan for a
period of several years;
Article 54
The People's Council shall abrogate a resolution of a
24
29
Article 49
(3) shall adopt annual national socio-economic plans;
1. The People's Councils shall make full use of all local
(4) shall ensure the execution of laws;
resources and potentialities to attain the all-round
(5) shall supervise the execution of the national socio-
economic and cultural development of their area, to
economic plan and the State budget;
meet to an increasing degree the needs of the popu-
(6) shall submit to the Sejm an annual report on the
lation as regards supply of goods and services, and to
execution of the State budget;
expand institutions and facilities in the field of public
(7) shall ensure the protection of public order, of the
utilities, education, culture, sanitation, and sports.
State interests, and of the rights of citizens;
1ª. "Under the laws, people's councils administer the
(8) - in pursuance of laws and in order to put them
into effect - shall issue orders and adopt resolu-
communal property owned by the local self-govern-
ment."
tions, and take care of their execution;
2. On the motion of respective local organs of administ-
(9) shall exercise general guidance in the sphere of re-
lations with other States;
ration, the People's Councils shall adopt socio-
economic plans and budgets for voivodships, towns,
(10) shall exercise general guidance as to the defence
boroughs and communes.
capacity of the country and the organization of the
Armed Forces of the Polish People's Republic,
Article 50
and specify the annual contingent of citizens to be
called for military service;
1. The People's Councils shall meet in sessions.
(11) shall direct the work of the organs of administra-
2. The People's Councils shall elect, from among their
tion.
members, presidia to direct the preparation of ses-
Article 42
sions and to conduct the business of debates, to co-
1. Ministers shall direct relevant branches of State ad-
ordinate the work of committees and to aid council-
ministration. A ministerial office shall be set up by
lors in their work.
law.
2. Ministers in pursuance of laws and in order to put
Article 51
them into effect shall issue orders and regulations.
1. Voivodes, mayors or heads of town, chiefs of
3. The Council of Ministers may abrogate an order or a
boroughs and heads of communes, shall be local or-
regulation issued by a minister.
28
25
Chapter 6
country, drawing increasing numbers of the working
people to participate in governing the State, and shall
LOCAL ORGANS OF STATE POWER
co-operate with the inhabitants' self-government.
AND ADMINISTRATION
Article 46
The People's Councils shall direct the over-all socio-
Article 43
economic and cultural development and exert an influ-
ence on all the units of administration and economy in
1. The People's Councils in communes, towns,
their areas, initiate and co-ordinate the activities of such
boroughs of larger cities, and in voivodships, shall be
units and exercise control over them. The People's
local organs of State power and basic organs of social
Councils shall link local needs with all-national objec-
self-government of the working people of town and
tives and targets.
country.
2. A joint People's Council may be an organ of State
Article 47
power and of social self-government in two units of
territorial division at the same level.
The People's Councils shall constantly attend to every-
day needs and interests of the population, shall combat
3. The term of office of the People's Council at particu-
any manifestations of an arbitrary or bureaucratic at-
lar levels shall be defined by law.
titude toward citizens, shall exercise and promote social
Article 44
control over the activities of offices, enterprises, estab-
lishments, and institutions.
The People's Councils shall express the will of the work-
ing people and develop their creative initiative and ac-
Article 48
tiveness in order to increase the strength, welfare and
The People's Councils shall ensure the maintenance of
culture of the Nation.
public order and watch over the observance of the
Article 45
people's rule of law, shall protect public ownership,
shall safeguard the rights of citizens, and shall co-oper-
The People's Councils shall consolidate the links bet-
ate in strengthening the defence capacity and security of
ween State power and the working people of town and
the State.
26
27
50
American
1923-1973
Polish Travel Office
Guide to
ORBIS
Poland
500 Fifth Ave.
New York, N. Y. 10036
FACILITATES
Your Jrip to POLAND
for individuals and groups
ORBIS Takes
Good Care
ALLIED
of You
AMERICAN OF TRAVEL ASTA AGENTS SOCIETY
in Poland
member
For reservations contact your travel agent
Discover
the Poles
Printed in U.S.A
All rights reserved
with "LOT" of course
Stefan
Batory"
to
WARSAW
Europe
to and from
Amsterdam
the pleasure is getting there
Athens
Beirut
Belgrade
Berlin
Brussels
Bucharest
Budapest
Cairo
Copenhagen
Frankfurt
⑉
⑉
III
IIIIII
"
Hamburg
Helsinki
Istanbul
Kiev
Leningrad
London
Ask your travel agent
Madrid
Milan
to book you on one of
Moscow
The storybook Europe your clients dream about
LOT's flights to Warsaw.
Nicosia
starts the moment they step aboard the "Stefan
Paris
Batory". Traditional warm hospitality, international
Relax on board
Prague
cuisine, and friendly, cosmopolitan companionship.
Rome
Give them the best European welcome - unrushed
our aircraft and enjoy
Sofia
and pleasure-filled on this fully air-conditioned and
traditional Polish hospitality.
Stockholm
stabilizer-equipped luxury liner. "Stefan Batory"
Vienna
always sails to the ancient gateway of Southampton
Vilnius
and - of course - to her native port Gdynia with
For details please see
Zagreb
frequent calls to Rotterdam, Cuxhaven and
your travel agent or write:
Zurich
Copenhagen.
Consult your 1972 schedule for
Polish Airlines LOT
dates and fares or write for full
IATA member of over 40 years experience
details and literature to:
500 Fifth Avenue - Suite 2125
New York, N. Y. 10036
POLISH OCEAN LINES
PL
McLEAN KENNEDY LIMITED
O
General Agents for U.S. and Canada
MONTREAL - 410 St. Nicholas St. (514) 849-6111
TORONTO - 159 Bay St. (416) 368-2681
Once Upon a Time
THE GREATEST SELECTION
OF POLISH ARTS AND CRAFTS
Dear American Tourist
IN U.S.A.
nquiring Where He Should Go in
IS AVAILABLE AT
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter,
Considered Numerous Attractions
Offered by Many Countries
Very, Very Inviting Were They - But
E
xploring All Pros and Cons
Cepelia
Regarding All the Glittering Promises,
Putting Two and Two Together
0f All Things Examined and
Leaving For His Final Decision
Executive Offices & Showroom for the Trade
236 Fifth Ave.
As to Where to Visit Best
New York, N. Y. 10001
(212) 683-1132
Now and in the Years to Come
Store & Gallery
Decided to Include in His Travels
63 East 57th Street
New York, N. Y. 10022
(212) 751-0005
POLAND
and Why?
West Coast Showroom:
3214 E. Willow St., Long Beach, California
Please continue reading
(213) 426-9124
and You Will Discover
the Answer Yourself
Poland Was
American Travel Agents
Founded more than one thousand years ago
Forced to wage many battles with aggressors
De-
Promotes and Facilitates Tourism to Poland
prived of independence for 123 years, from 1795 to
1918, by Russia, Prussia and Austria
Invaded by
Nazis in 1939
Worst sufferer of World War II
with over 6 million dead and 52 billion dollars eco-
NEW JERSEY
nomic losses
Haven for the persecuted, especially
Jews, for almost 800 years
Leader in the field of
BORAWSKI IMMIGRATION & TRAVEL SERVICE, 192 Mon-
democracy for 500 years
Land of many great men
roe St., Passaic, N. J. 07055; Tel. (201) 779-0069
and women in all fields of human endeavor, including
CAPITOL TRAVEL, 830 S. Broad St., Trenton, N. J. 08611;
Mikolaj Kopernik (Copernicus), 1473-1543, who revo-
Tel. (609) 599-3882
lutionized man's concept of the universe; Maria Sklo-
GORALSKI IMMIGRATION & TRAVEL SERVICE, 104 Pas-
dowska-Curie (1867-1934), discoverer of radium,
saic St., Passaic, N. J. 07055; Tel. (201) 472-1357
twice winner of the Nobel prize: Frederic Chopin
TACIK TRAVEL AGENCY, 636 Newark Ave., Jersey City,
(1810-1849), immortal composer; Tadeusz Kosciuszko
N. J. 07306; Tel. (201) 653-0345
(1746-1817) and Kazimierz Pulaski (1747-79), heroes
of American Revolution; Ignacy Lukasiewicz (1822-
NEW YORK
82), founder of the petroleum industry; Joseph Con-
rad-Korzeniowski (1857-1924) master of the English
AMPOL TRAVEL BUREAU, 1105 Broadway, Buffalo, N. Y.
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novel; Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941), world
famous pianist; Kazimierz Funk (1884-1967), dis-
DANA TRAVEL AGENCY INC., 91 Third Ave., Mineola, L. I.,
N. Y. 11501; Tel. (516) 747-4884
coverer of vitamins; and thousands of less famous
but nevertheless outstanding scientific and cultural
DELUXE TRAVEL BUREAU, 55 W. 42nd St., New York, N.Y.
10036; Tel. (212) 565-1978
workers.
FREGATA TRAVEL SERVICE, INC., 6 E. 39th St., New York,
N. Y. 10016; Tel. (212) 889-6155
LOMBARD TRAVEL AGENCY, 187 Lombard St., Buffalo,
N. Y. 14212; Tel. (716) 892-2006
WALTER TWARDOWSKI TRAVEL AGENCY, 18 St. Marks
PI., New York, N. Y. 10003; Tel. (212) 475-5588
VAVEL TRAVEL AGENCY INC., 777 Fillmore Ave., Buffalo,
N. Y. 14212; Tel. (716) 896-4210
WALTER'S TRAVEL AGENCY, 141 Jackson St., Hempstead,
L. I., N. Y. 11550, Tel. (516) 483-0744
E. S. WITKOWSKI & CO. INC., 130 E. 7th St., New York, N.Y.
10009; (212) 674-3652
OHIO
ALL TRAVEL SERVICE, 6964 Broadway, Cleveland, Ohio
44105; Tel. (216) 341-4863
KNIOLA TRAVEL BUREAU, INC., 3690 E. 65th St., Cleve-
land, Ohio 44105; Tel. (216) 641-7633
PENNSYLVANIA
FRYSZTACKI TRAVEL AGENCY, 214 Fairmount Ave., Phi-
ladelphia, Pa. 19123; Tel. (215) 627-0254
POLISH AMERICAN TRAVEL SERVICE, 2714 E. Allegheny
Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19134; Tel. (215) 634-3396
WISCONSIN
GLOBE TRAVEL BUREAU, 5232 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwau-
Ruins of ancient castle in Bolkow, Wroclaw Province.
kee, Wis. 53219; Tel. (414) 545-3033
There are hundred of such historical landmarks in
WORLD TRAVEL SERVICE, INC., 624 W. Mitchell St., Mil-
Poland of which 52 are world famous.
waukee, Wis. 53204; Tel. (414) 672-4880
For Best Service
Poland Is
Society of Polish
a land of 121,000 square miles inhabited by 33 million
of the friendliest, most hospitable people found any-
World's Unique Ethnic Travel Association
where
a country of millions of women with good
looks and super talents as homemakers, and of gallant
The following SPATA members, representatives of the
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Polish Travel Office ORBIS, are specialists in the field,
the original home of "women's lib" with female
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dominated medical and dental professions, miniskirted
information and arrange itineraries for travel to Poland
militia girls directing traffic
a land of fresh cut
and Eastern Europe. Also, they are ready to assist other
flowers everywhere, given on every occasion and for
agencies to serve both wholesale and retail clients.
no special reason
where crumbling old churches
are being restored to their glory instead of razed for
CALIFORNIA
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big cities whose residents are not
afraid to stroll the streets after dusk
a country
ZONN TOURS, Inc., 445 Sutter St., San Francisco, Cal.
with licenses for hitch-hikers and prizes for motorists
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who transport them over the longest distances
CONNECTICUT
where the Church is separated from the State but the
State pays the clergy for religious instructions in
EDMUND LISZKA TRAVEL AGENCY, 11 Charter Oak Ave.,
catechetical centers
the world's largest builder
Hartford, Conn. 06106; Tel. (203) 249-6255
of fishing vessels, second in the growing of rye and
WHITE EAGLE AGENCY, 112 Broad St., New Britain, Conn.
06061; Tel. (203) 229-8223
potatoes, fifth in milk and dairy products, and seventh
in meat production
eating delicacies such as bigos,
FLORIDA
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a country with more wildlife and for-
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ILLINOIS
listening to "big beat" on a transistor radio
a
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free education,
BALTIC TRAVEL, 1246 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, III.
from nursery school to university, with scholarships in
60622; Tel. (312) 235-2444
most cases
free medical care for most people
CENTRAL TRAVEL, INC., 4102 Archer Ave., Chicago, III.
folklore everywhere
a people with inexhaustible
60632, Tel. (312) 254-4144
capacity for fun and enjoyment of the good things of
FALCON TRAVEL BUREAU, INC., 2735 N. Milwaukee Ave.,
life
a people that say "drop in anytime" and mean
Chicago, III. 60647; (312) 276-2100
it
a people who treat foreign visitors with seldom
INTERCONTINENTAL TRAVEL LTD., 828 N. State St.,
Chicago, III. 60610; Tel. (312) 787-4440
encountered deference and respect.
MATUSZCZAK & CO. TRAVEL BUREAU
1537 W. Division St., Chicago, III. 60622; (312) 278-6407
5736 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, III. 60634; (312) 283-4511
ORBIT AIR SEA LAND TRAVEL SERVICE, 2931 N. Milwau-
kee Ave., Chicago, III. 60618; Tel. (312) 235-2323
STAUDACHER TRAVEL, 1650 W. 48th St., Chicago, III.
60609; (312) 927-2324
MASSACHUSETTS
RECO TRAVEL AGENCY, 632 Dorchester Ave., Boston,
Mass. 02127; Tel. (617) 268-1303
SIKORSKI TRAVEL SERVICE, 28 Second St., Chelsea,
Mass. 02150; Tel. (617) 889-2501
WEGIEL TRAVEL SERVICE, INC., 1985 Main St., Spring-
field, Mass. 01103; Tel. (413) 734-8223
MICHIGAN
AMERPOL ENTERPRISES INC., 11601 Jos. Campau,
Detroit, Mich. 48212; Tel. (313) 365-6780
MERCURY TRAVEL AGENCY, 17600 W. Warren Ave.,
Detroit, Mich. 48228; Tel. (313) 283-4511
New Housing Development in Warsaw.
Discovering Poland
First of all, everyone should discover WARSAW,
for it is the only major city in the world which was
Pekao
almost completely destroyed during World War II by
the Nazis, with more than half of its population killed
MAKES AVAILABLE TO ITS CLIENTS,
(over 600,000), and in 27 years not only was restored
to its former glory but became the ultra modern world
AT VERY LOW PRICES, AN ECONOMICAL, COMFORTABLE
city of 1,300,000 inhabitants, offering everything what
AND POPULAR IN POLAND AUTOMOBILE
a tourist may wish to see or enjoy.
POLISH FIAT 125P (Italian licence)
A 3-hour sightseeing of Warsaw is available from
June 15 to Sept. 15 at only $2.60 per person
Warsaw by Night tour, available daily except Mondays
from June 15 to Sept. 15, $12.00 per person
a
2-hour romantic drive around Old Town in a horse-
cab costs $14.60 for two and $12.00 for one person.
FIAT 125 P - 1300 CC priced at $1,330.00
Grand Theatre Building in Warsaw.
FIAT 125 P - 1500 CC priced at $1,480.00
Top attraction is Warsaw's rebuilt ultra modern
Grand Theatre Building, housing State Opera and
ALSO AVAILABLE THROUGH PEKAO ARE FOUR
several theatres. The Opera has one of the best revolv-
ing stages in the world, its interior is simply beautiful
KINDS OF THE PRACTICAL AND POPULAR
and performances gorgeous. Reporting on one of the
AUTOMOBILE "WARSZAWA"
performances, the Christian Science Monitor (Nov.
22, 1971) said: "Beautiful singing there was aplenty
both from chorus and soloists
Automobiles purchased through PEKAO
for recipients in Poland are
Many interesting places are located near Warsaw.
DUTY FREE
The more outstanding are:
ZELAZOWA WOLA-the birthplace of Chopin. In-
teresting museum. Recitals by eminent Polish pianists
In addition to the above PEKAO offers
on Sundays and holidays from May 1 to Sept. 30. Ex-
"FOR SELECTION" orders
cursion from Warsaw and attendance at Chopin's
which are the best and most convenient form of
concert $4.50 per person.
WILANOW-a beautifully restored 17th century
sending gifts, or aid to relatives in Poland.
baroque palace, housing historical treasures and a
permanent modern poster exhibit. A 4-hour tour of
For more specific information please contact your local
Warsaw and Wilanow or Lazienki Gardens $3.50 per
Dealer or
person.
WARKA-the birthplace of Gen. Pulaski. Museum
PEKAO TRADING CORPORATION
devoted to Pulaski mementos and to the Polish emi-
225 Park Avenue South New York, N. Y. 10003
gration to America. Tours on request by private car-
$15.00 for one person, $20.00 for 2 and $25.50 for
Tel. 674 3003
3 persons.
INSTANT POLISH
SPECIAL LETTERS AND THEIR PRONUNCIATIONS
as in art
as in international
C
ts
i
like "y" as in young
ch
as in Scottish "loch"
like "w" as in wood
CZ
as in church
rz
like "s" in treasure
e
as in Edward
SZ
like "sh" as in sherry
g
as in good
u
like "oo" as in wood
h
as in house
W
like "v" as in victory
Here are some sayings in Polish which the tourist
may find helpful:
The folk art of paper cut-outs is being passed from
HELPFUL WORDS
HOW TO
generation to generation.
HOW TO
AND PHRASES
SAY THEM
WRITE THEM
LOWICZ-where picturesque folk costumes may be
Good morning
Dzhen dobrih
Dzień dobry
seen, as well as the quaint old buildings, hand-painted
Good evening
Dobrih vyehchoor
Dobry wieczór
furniture and dishes. Walls and ceilings of homes are
Good night
Dobrahnohts
Dobranoc
Good-bye
Doveedzenyah
Dowidzenia
decorated with paper cut-outs or "pajaki" made of
How are you?
Jak sye mash
Jak się masz
straw and egg shells. Tours on request by private cars
Very good
Bardzoo dobshe
Bardzo dobrze
or buses.
Do you speak
Chih pahn (pahnee)
Czy pan (pani)
English?
moovee po
mówi po angielsku?
WORLD'S FINEST AND UNIQUE
ahngyelskoo?
I'm from America
Yestem Z Ahmehrikee
Rich in history, art, culture, educational tradition,
Jestem Z Ameryki
I like Poland
Podoba myh
Podoba mi się Polska
religion, originality and ties with America is KRA
sye Polska
KOW, the capital of Poland till 1596.
We are friends
Myh pshyiatsele
My przyjaciele
I like this
Lubie to
Lubię to
Please
Proshe
Proszę
Excuse me
Pshehprasham
Przepraszam
I don't understand
Nyeh rozoomyehm
Nie rozumiem
I am glad
Yestem zahdovolonih
Jestem zadowolony
I am sorry
Yestem zmartwyonih
Jestem zmartwiony
I'd like to eat
Chcialbeem yesch
Chciałbym jeść
Drink
Pits
Pić
Vodka (Beer)
Vodka (Peevoh)
Wódka (Piwo)
Wine (Water)
Veenoh (Voda)
Wino (Woda)
Coffee (Tea)
Kahvah (Herbahtah)
Kawa (Herbata)
Milk
Mlehkoh
Mleko
Music (Song)
Moosica (Pyosenka)
Muzyka (Piosenka)
Man (Woman)
Menshchisna
Mężczyzna
(Kobyeta)
(Kobieta)
Yes (No)
Tak (Nye)
Tak (Nie)
Thank you
Dzhenkooye
Dziękuję
Good (Bad)
Dobzheh (Zhleh)
Dobrze (źle)
Panorama of Wawel Castle.
Help (Enough)
Pomotsih (Dohsich)
Pomocy (dosyć)
Get me a taxi
Prohsheh
Proszę taksówkę
The Wawel Castle, ancient seat of Polish kings, has
tahksoovkeh
been listed by UNESCO as one of the world's finest
Night club
Nohtsnih lohkal
Nocny lokal
historical monuments. It contains many priceless col-
Theatre (Opera)
Tehahtr (Ohpehrah)
Teatr (Opera)
lections. The most outstanding is a huge assortment of
To dance
Tanchits
Tańczyć
Get a doctor
Prohseh zahvohwahch
16th and 17 century tapestries unequalled anywhere.
Proszę zawołać
dohktohrah
doktora
The cathedral's vaults hold remains of Polish kings
and heroes, including those of Gen. Kosciuszko, hero
Post Office
Pohchtah
Poczta
of the American Revolution.
Cigarettes
Pahpyehrohshy
Papierosy
Matches
Zahpahlkee
Zapałki
Krakow houses Poland's oldest academic institution,
It is all right
Toh yest V
To jest W
the Jagiellonian University, established in 1364, the
porzhontkee
porządku
Alma Mater of Kopernik, father of modern astronomy.
SENATOR FRED R. HARRIS of Oklahoma:
"Only twenty-four hours in Poland was long enough
for me to see the warmth and openness of the Polish
people and the progress they are making. Despite my
short stay, leading Polish officials, including the Prime
Minister, agreed to adjust their schedules to mine.
In every meeting I encountered courtesy and frank
discussion-which I believe we need if we are to over-
come our differences.
"The re-building of war-destroyed Warsaw is a
monument to the courage and historical traditions
of the Polish people. I do not believe any American
can visit that city, now so beautiful, without gaining
new respect for a people who suffered perhaps more
than any other in the last war."
CONGRESSMAN SHERMAN P. LLOYD of Utah:
Kosciuszko's Monument Adorns Wawel Castle.
"Ancient and modern history, in which Poland has
been in a pivotal role, makes this country of special
Another distinction of Krakow is that it has more
interest to the traveler with a major interest in history
magnificent and old churches than any city of its size
A beautiful and fertile country and a dedicated
in the world, with St. Mary's containing the 15th cen-
and courageous people add to the pleasure of a nation
tury unique altar carvings by the immortal artist
proud of its culture and determined to achieve high
Wit Stwosz. They were stolen by the Nazis and re-
rank in our civilization."
turned in 1946. Their restoration required 64,000
working hours and cost almost one million dollars.
BEN BOO, Mayor of Duluth, Minn.:
"Poland provides the delightful blend of old and
new. Ancient, historic, handsome cities; modern hous-
NOWA HUTA represents a modern industrial as-
ing projects and hotels; gracious and hospitable people
pect of Krakow. A steel city of 150,000, it was erected
-all contribute to the makings of a memorable visit."
in 5 years-a world record! And strange as it may
seem, when the modern steel works were being built
ROMAN S. GRIBBS, Mayor of Detroit:
"I found the Polish people to be warm and friendly
in the fifty's, remnants of prehistoric smelting ovens
were found on construction site.
and I was astonished at the great similarity of our ur-
ban problems
the trip, which included a number of
other mayors
served to broaden our knowledge of
Of special interest to American tourists is a modern
one another and strengthen our 'people-to-people'
children's hospital and research center-a gift of the
friendship."
American people.
WILLIS D. GRADISON, JR., Mayor of Cincinnati,
Ohio:
A 2-hour tour of Krakow Monuments by horse-cab
A 4-hour tour of
"I was very favorably impressed while in Poland by
costs $12.00 for one person
Krakow and Nowa Huta, available from May 15 to
the opportunities for person-to-person contacts between
Americans and Polish citizens. We were able to meet
Sept. 15, costs $3.50 per person
Krakow by Night,
and talk to people everywhere: in the streets and
daily except Mondays, $12.00 per person.
schoolyards, factories and shipyards, restaurants and
coffeehouses, stores, museums, and churches. We found
AMAZING SALT MINES
a deep interest in the United States, a desire to know
more about our country, and an exetremely high re-
Near Krakow are the amazing salt mines of Wie-
gard for our Nation. Poland has taken major steps in
liczka, dating back to the 10th century. Here are un-
recent years to make tourist travel more comfortable
derground carvings in rock salt, fascinating sculptures,
and convenient
a great hall, chapels, lakes, a tennis court for the
miners and a sanatorium for asthma patients, the only
DUKE ELLINGTON, who participated with his or-
one of its kind in the world. During World War II the
chestra in the 1971 Jazz Jamboree in Warsaw, summed
mine's chambers were used as an airplane assembly
up his impressions with three words in Polish "Strasz-
nie Was Kocham" (I Love You Madly).
plant by the Nazis.
Excursion from Krakow to Wieliczka, available on
NOTE: Due to devaluation of U.S. dollar some prices
Sundays from June 1 to Sept. 1, costs only $3.50 per
listed in this Guide subject to a small increase.
person.
For transit passengers ORBIS offers one, two and
3-day package tours at very reasonable rates.
MEMENTO OF INHUMANITY
For persons desiring exciting vacations in the sad-
A grim reminder of man's inhumanity to man is
dle, ORBIS offers Holiday on Horseback in one of
the Museum of Martyrology on the site of the former
Poland's famous stud farms, situated on enchanting
Nazi death camp at Oswiecim (Auschwitz), 35 miles
rivers and lakes. The cost is amazingly low-from
from Krakow, where four million people, mostly Poles
$7.50 per day, full pension. Riding charges are $2.50
and Jews, but also many of other ethnic and nation-
per hour.
ality origins, were murdered.
For anglers there are plenty of fish in Polish rivers
and lakes. The fishing license costs $10.00.
Nothing like it can be seen anywhere in the world.
For the hunting enthusiast, Poland abounds with
Shocking, yes, but everyone should see it never-
game: wild ducks and other wild water fowl, red-deer,
theless, for to see it is to realize that such monstrous
fallow-deer, roe-deer, wild boar, lynx, wolf, fox, pheas-
tragedy must never happen again.
ant, hare, and most important-the bison.
BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND BEAUTY
For tourists wishing to extend their stay in Poland,
ORBIS' office at Krakowskie Przedmiescie 13 in War-
POZNAN, a capital of Poland in the 10th and 11th
saw aranges extensions of Polish visa and for those
century, is currently known best as the Polish Inter-
desiring to visit other socialist countries (Czechoslova-
national Trade Capital, primarily because of its
kia, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Romania,
famous annual International Trade Fair, held in June,
Soviet Union) ORBIS helps in securing visas and ma-
in which more than 50 countries participate, including
king other arrangements.
the United States.
Just state your wish what would you like to see or
3-hour sightseeing by coach during the Fair is only
do in Poland and it will be granted.
$2.60 per person
individual sightseeing by car
The door of Poland is open
please enter and dis-
at all times is $12.00 for 2 or 3 persons and $10.00
cover some of the world's most interesting people.
for one person.
Look ahead to spend your next vacation in Poland
Half a day excursion from Poznan to Kornik, fa-
you will surely have a wonderful time, enjoy a
mous for its castle with museum of art and collection
super pleasure which you will always treasure.
of historical arms, plus magnificent park and botanical
Americans Enchanted
garden, and to Rogalin, known for its collection of art
objects and many trees of over 1,000 years old, costs
with Poles and Poland
$17.00 for one person, $20.00 for two persons, and
Tens of thousands of Americans visit Poland an-
$22.50 for 3 persons.
nually.
Full day excursion from Poznan to Gniezno, first
Some go there out of curiosity, some because they
capital of Poland; to Biskupin, reconstructed pra-
are adventurous, and others for variety of reasons.
slavic settlement from the VIth century; to Inowroclaw
What is their opinion about Poland and the Poles?
health resort, 500 years old, where gereatric ailments
Well, our survey indicates that almost all of them
are treated, and to Kruszwica, legendary capital of
are impressed by the warm welcome they receive and
Poland with its Tower of Mice, where according to
are enchanted with a variety of things.
legend the cruel Prince Popiel was eaten alive by
Here is a mini cross section of typical American
mice, costs $40.00 for 1 person, $50.00 for 2 persons,
views about Poland and the Poles.
and $45.00 for 3 persons.
JOHN A. VOLPE, Secretary of Transportation:
"I was greatly impressed-and personally touched
BYDGOSZCZ-one thousand year old city-center
-by the warmth with which I was received wherever
of railway works and water sports
PLOCK-
I went in Poland. This reflects, I think, the very close
Polish oil refinery center, a city of over 1,000 years
ties that have been felt between the Polish people
old with one of the oldest waterworks in Europe, dat-
and the Polish-Americans in the United States
I
ing to 1498
LODZ-Polish textile center,
was struck by the enormous progress that Poland has
second largest city in Poland, dating from 15th century
been making. I have in mind the effort and skill it
KAZIMIERZ on the river Vistula-a city of strik-
takes to come out of the ruins of war and then rebuild
ing beauty, Mecca of painters and architects.
cities and establish modern systems and services. This
LUBLIN-first capital of New Poland (1944), agri-
is evident everywhere, and is a great tribute to the
cultural center, seat of the only Catholic University
strength of the Polish people. Finally, I was deeply
between Peking and East Berlin and of the lay uni-
impressed by what I saw of the old Polish cultural
versity named after Maria Sklodowska-Curie
history, places like a school where Copernicus studied,
SANDOMIERZ-a city full of Gothic and Renaissance
and the beautiful city of Krakow. These are great
historical monuments
ZIELONA GORA-famous
treasures, important not just in Poland but in the
whole history of Western civilization."
for its wine harvest festival, good hunting area, inter-
esting palace in nearby Lubniewice with large recrea-
tion center, plus horse riding
all are worth explor-
in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 zlotys.
Coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 zlotys and
ing.
5, 10, 20 and 50 groszy.
KATOWICE, heart of industrial Poland, offers in-
CREDIT CARDS: American Express and Diners
teresting approach to urban problems with its super
Club acceptable.
modern downtown center and other architectural solu-
PRICES: A good meal costs less than a dollar, a
haircut about 50 cents, a bottle of vodka $1.00, tickets
tions.
for the opera start from $3.00, to the theatres and
Worth visiting near Katowice is SZCZYRK, a pearl
concerts from $2.00, an to movies from 50 cents.
of Polish holiday resorts in the beautiful Beskidy
EATING AND DRINKING: Basically similar to
Mountains.
American menu, plus Polish specialties and vodka, of
For song lovers, OPOLE is a magnet at the end of
course.
June for the annual Festival of Polish Songs.
TAXIS: plentiful and inexpensive-for a dollar one
can ride 11 miles.
WROCLAW, capital of Lower Silesia, more than
MAIL AND TELEGRAMS: air mail for speedy de-
1,000 years old, is the city of young people, with one
livery, telegrams from post offices which are open
third of the population under 17 years of age, and
from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M., and central offices in principal
one half under 25. It is a center of electronic, metallur-
cities 24 hours a day, rates similar to USA.
gical and chemical industries. Destroyed 67% during
PHOTOGRAPHY: no restriction with the usual
World War II with only 50,000 inhabitants left, it is
exception of military objects. A tourist can take to
now almost fully rebulit with the population increased
Poland 2 cameras with 24 plates or 10 film rolls, and
tenfold.
1 movie camera with 10 rolls. American-type color
A 2-hour sightseeing of Old Wroclaw by private
films not available.
car costs $10.00 for 1 or 2 persons
a 3-hour sight-
SHOPPING: most shops are open from 11 A.M. to
seeing of Metropolitan Wroclaw by private car costs
6 or 7 P.M. American goods, including cigarettes, at
$11.00 for 1 person, $12.00 for 2, and $10.50 for 3
American prices, are available in "Pekao" shops and
persons.
counters in leading hotels. The best souvenirs are
Interesting regional excursions from Wroclaw are:
found at Cepelia and Desa stores.
Full day to health resorts in the Karkonosze moun-
TIPPING: not obligatory but readily accepted. A
tains by private car-$30.00 for 1 person, $32.00 for
tip of 5 to 10 zlotys (121/2 to 25 cents) is more than
2, and $36.00 for 3 persons including guide, entrance
sufficient. Porters generally are given 20 cents for
fees, and lunch.
each piece of luggage.
NEWSPAPERS: New York Times, Christian Sci-
Full day to health resorts in Jelenia Gora and
ence Monitor, Time, Life, and others are available at
Szklarska Poreba, in the Sudety mountain range -
newsstands in larger hotels.
$32.00 for 1 person, $34.00 for 2, and $42.00 for 3 per-
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: New Year's Day, Easter
sons including lunch.
Monday April 3, Labor Day May 1, Corpus Christi
Full day to Swidnica, an old Slavic settlement, now
June 1, National Day July 22, All Saints Day Novem-
an industrial center, via several picturesque areas of
ber 1, Christmas December 25 and 26.
Lower Silesia-$40.00 for 1 person, $44.00 for 2,
U.S. EMBASSY in Warsaw is located at Aleje Ujaz-
and $45.00 for 3 persons including lunch.
dowskie 29/21, tel. 28-30-40 through 49. The U.S.
also has a Consulate in Poznan, located at 4 Chopin
St., tel. 59586 and 59162.
THE CANADIAN EMBASSY in Warsaw is located
at 31 Katowicka St.
Request Tours
& Services
ORBIS organizes special tours, for individuals and
groups, on request.
For example, a 6-day tour (Warsaw-Lublin-Rzeszow-
Nowy Sacz-Krakow-Warsaw) by private car, first
class accomodation and meals (full board), guide-
interpreter, sightseeing, etc. costs only $185.00 for one
Polish Mountaineers Ready to Play.
person and $130.00 per person in a party of 2 or 3.
Consular Division of the Polish Embassy, 443 Daly
Ave., Ottawa, Ont., and from the Consulate General
of Poland, 1570 Pine Ave. W., Montreal, Que., or
from your travel agent.
The visas, as a rule, are issued without delay.
ENTRY POINTS:
By air: Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk.
By rail: from the German Democratic Republic:
Kunowice, Frankfurt on Oder, Zgorzelec-Gorlitz; from
Czechoslovakia: Miedzylesie-Lichkov, Zebrzydowice-
Petrovice; from the USSR: Terespol-Brest, Kuznica
Bialostocka-Lososna, Medyka-Mosciska.
By road: from the German Democratic Republic:
Slubice (Swiecko)-Frankfurt on Oder; from Czecho-
slovakia: Jakuszyce-Harrachow, Kudowa Slone-
Nachod, Cieszyn-Tesin, Chyzno-Trestena, Lysa Po-
lana-Javorina.
By sea: Gdynia, 'Szczecin, Swinoujscie.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: A tourist can take to
Poland duty free personal effects and some articles
for possible gifts, and take out of Poland a reasonable
Winter in Polish Mountains.
amount of souvenirs. Details regarding dutiable items
can be obtained on request when applying for visa.
SCENIC MOUNTAINS
CURRENCY REGULATIONS: Unlimted foreign
currency, checks, etc. may be imported to Poland, pro-
The Tatra mountains are very impressive. The land-
vided they are specified upon arrival on currency
scape of Pieniny is unique in Europe. There the
declaration. Export is permitted up to the amount de-
mountain rapids of the River Dunajec cut a canyon
clared on the above mentioned currency declaration.
1,000 feet deep through a limestone massif. One lovely
Tourists receive a special exchange premium of 66%
bend after another opens up beautiful vista upon beau-
of the regular exchange rate of 22.02 zlotys, receiving
tiful vista. Full day river excursion from Czorsztyn to
about 36.70 zlotys per dollar.
Szczawnica health resort costs $28.00 for 1 person,
Import and export of Polish currency is not allowed.
$34.00 for 2, and $36.00 for 3 persons.
Polish currency not spent in the country has to be
deposited at the border point. This deposit may be
collected within a year on the next visit to Poland at
any customs office upon presentation of receipt.
REGISTRATION: Tourists who stay in Poland less
than 30 days are not required to register with the
police. Those staying longer must do so. In principle,
the registration should be made personally. However,
Orbis hotels will do this for their guests.
All tourists are required to register at each place
of their stay in Poland. This formality is arranged
by hotels or those in charge of residences in which
ZAKOPANE is Poland's capital of winter sports.
a tourist stays.
It equals sport resorts in the Alps in scenic beauty,
LANGUAGE: Polish is rather difficult to learn but
accomodation and facilities but is more economical.
almost everywhere you will find people speaking
The five-month skiing season is highlighted by the
English. Also, for your convenience, there is an "In-
midwinter carnival, rich in the colorful traditions of
stant Polish" page in the Guide, and if you wish to
Polish mountain folklore. One of the most exciting
familiarize yourself with Polish more, you can do
of these traditions is the "Kulig"-a cavalcade of
so by purchasing "Say It In Polish" phrase book for
horse-drawn sleighs driven at top speed. Cost of
$1.00 from the Kosciuszko Foundation, 15 E. 65 St.,
"Kulig" is $5.00 per person with a minimum of 2
New York, N. Y. 10021.
persons participating.
CLIMATE: Temperate. The average is 26 degrees
An unusual sight is MORSKIE OKO (Eye of the
Fahrenheit in winter and 68 in summer.
Sea), one of the most enchanting mountain lakes in
MONEY: The Polish monetary unit-the zloty-is
Europe. Half a day excursion from Zakopane is $19.00
divided into 100 groszy. Polish banknotes are issued
for 1 person, $20.00 for 2, and $21.00 for 3 persons.
Half a day excursion by bus from Zakopane to the
Koscieliska Valley, famous for its picturesqueness and
many caves, including one almost 4 miles long, costs
Basic Tips On
$10.00 for 1 and/or 2 persons, and $10.50 for 3
persons.
Polish Trip
Excursion by a funicular railway to the mild slopes
of Gubalowka with its splendid view of the entire
Poland is easily accessible by air, rail, and road.
Tatra mountain range costs $6.00 for 1 and/or 2
When traveling from USA and/or Canada by air,
persons, and $6.60 for 3 persons.
the Polish Airlines LOT offers excellent connections
Excursion by an overhead cable car to Kasprowy
to Warsaw from Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Copen-
Peak costs $8.00 for 1 person, and $10.00 for 2.
hagen, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hamburg, London, Madrid,
NOWY SACZ is a major city of the Tatra High-
Paris, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna and Zurich in conjunc-
lands
in that area almost every family has rela-
tion with transatlantic flights.
tives in USA.
In addition LOT flies from Warsaw to Athens,
In Southeast Poland, the BIESZCZADY mountain
Beirut, Belgrade, Bucharest, Budapest, Cairo, Hel-
area offers a healthy climate, wonderful scenery, angl-
sinki, Istanbul, Kiev, Leningrad, Moscow, Nicosia,
ing and hunting, and interesting wooden Greek Ortho-
Prague, Sofia, Split, and Zagreb.
dox churches.
Flying to Poland is inexpensive, especially during
the low season. Air fares in Poland are one of the
RZESZOW is a capital of a region which is an an-
cestral place of millions of Americans of Polish origin.
lowest in Europe-cheaper than rail first class in
sleeping cars.
The SUDETY are a forest-clad chain of mountains
The new Warsaw international airport is only 4.2
in southwest Poland. Its Karkonosze National Park is
miles from the center of the city. It has all the modern
a beautiful center of winter sports, offering numerous
facilities and conveniences for the passenger.
fantastic views.
In Poland LOT operates services weekdays only
LAKES AND FORESTS
between Warsaw and Bydgoszcz, Gdansk, Katowice,
Koszalin, Krakow, Poznan, Rzeszow, Szczecin and
Poland has almost ten thousand lakes of which two
Wroclaw.
thousand are in Mazuria-a paradise for anyone who
For those prefering sea travel, the Polish Ocean
likes water sports and fishing.
Lines provide excellent service from Canaada and New
Throughout Mazuria there are holiday villages
York.
where tourists can stay in comfortable wooden bunga-
The modern, luxurious, fully stabilized, air condi-
lows and eat in camp restaurants.
tioned pride of the Polish passenger fleet, the TS/S
For the hunting enthusiasts Poland abounds with
STEFAN BATORY, equipped for every super-liner
plenty of game.
amenity but with a distinctive Polish atmosphere and
hospitality, will have the following sailings in 1972:
From New York: January 5, February 2, March 2,
December 7.
From Montreal: April 21, May 22, June 21, July 20,
August 17, September 15, October 13, November 9.
From Gdynia, Poland, to New York: January 20,
February 17, November 24; to Montreal: April 6,
May 6, June 6, July 6, August 3, September 1, Septem-
30, October 27; to Quebec: December 22.
Other ships leaving New York or other American
and/or Canadian ports make connection with express
trains to Warsaw and other Polish cities.
There is also a daily connection by ferry between
Swinoujscie, near Szczecin, and Ystad in Sweden.
One can go to Poland by train from any city in
Europe. And the same applies to travel by car
VISA: A Polish visa is required for entry to Poland.
Visa information can be obtained in USA from
the Consular Division of the Polish Embassy, 2224
Wyoming Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, and
from the Consulate General of Poland, 1525 N. Astor
St., Chicago, Ill. 60610, and in Canada from the
ON THE BALTIC
SWINOUJSCIE, on the Baltic coast, over 150 years
old. Has an exceptionally mild micro-climate with
small temperature fluctuation. It has 14 sanatoriums.
Treatments are for bronchial asthma, chronic inflam-
mation of the respiratory tract, cardiac neurosis, high
blood pressure, allergy and skin disease, metabolic dis-
turbances and ailments connected with old age.
The Polish health resorts are situated in quiet,
lovely, picturesque suroundings. They have the most
modern equipment and are under the permanent care
of the Academies of Medicine and the best medical
specialists. Variety of entertainment is available. The
resorts are open all the year round.
The all-inclusive cost-accomodation, all meals, in-
cluding special diet prescribed by doctor, medical
care, physical therapy, pharmacological therapy with
Polish drugs, transfer on arival and departure-is
very reasonable.
A single luxury suite is $22.00 per day in high sea-
son and $16.00 in low season, while a double suite is
$17.00 and $12.00 per person respectively.
Main Street in Gdansk.
In Ciechocinek, Busko, and Krynica single room
The thousand years old GDANSK, the 19th cen-
with bath is $12.00 in high season and $10.00 in low
tury SOPOT, and the 20th century GDYNIA are the
season; double room with bath $10.00 and $8.50 per
three neighboring cities on Poland's amber coast full
person; single without bath $10.00 and $8.00, double
of attraction for visitors.
without bath $9.00 and $7.50.
GDANSK has a colorful and tragic history
in
In Kolobrzeg, Kudowa, Polanica, Swinoujscie and
1308 the German religious order of Teutonic Knights
Szczawno single room with bath is $9.00 in high
burned the city and butchered its 10,000 citizens
season and $8.00 in low season; double room with
it changed hands several times and was a free city
bath $8.00 and $6.50 per person; single without bath
betwen two world wars
suffered heavily during
$8.00 and $7.00, and double $7.00 and $6.00.
World Warr II but today is mostly rebuilt, with the
Low season in Krynica is from October 1 through
old parts of the city in their former style
the most
January 30 and during April; while in other resorts
memorable building is the Post Office where 51 of its
from October 1 through April 30.
Polish employees put up a heroic struggle against over-
The minimum recommended stay is from 21 to 24
whelming Nazi invaders on Sept. 1, 1939 with 12 of
days.
them killed during the 5-day hopeless battle and 39
executed by the Germans upon surrender on Sept. 5.
Ski Holidays
A 3-hour walking tour of Old Gdansk costs $7.40
for one to 5 persons.
At the entrance to the Port of Gdansk is a historic
Polish mountains are ideal for inexpensive ski holi-
days.
islet of Westerplatte where World War II began. The
Polish garrison of 182 men put up a 7-day brave re-
For example, a 10-day sojourn in Zakopane, capital
sistance to Hitler's invaders. An impressive monu-
of Poland's winter sports, including accomodation in
ment honors the defenders.
a hostel or tourist home with full board, plus assistance
of ski instructor, costs only $70.00.
Half a day tour of the port and of the Westerplatte,
including 21/2-hour boat ride, costs $5.00 for 1 person,
And in case you don't know how to ski or do not
$8.00 for 2, and $9.00 for 3 persons.
wish to ski, well just enjoy yourself in the invigorat-
Gdansk's suburb of OLIWA has a cathedral with an
ing, healthy climate
you can get many diversions,
interesting organ of 6,000 pipes. Its mighty sound
such as a sleigh ride-you can meet interesting people
vibrates through the church, produces a loud echo, and
and have the time-of-your-life.
causes figures of angels to blow trumpets or ring tiny
bells while models of the suns and stars revolve.
NOTE: Descriptive literature on different Polish cities
SOPOT near Gdansk is the most popular Polish
and areas is available free of charge from the Polish
Travel Office ORBIS, 500 Fifth Ave., New York, N.Y.
bathing resort. It is especially famous for its annual
10036.
International Song Festival, held in August, and for
its Open Air Theatre which can seat 5,000 people.
A 3-hour tour by car of Old Gdansk, Oliwa cathe-
ORBIS Boarding Houses in Mountain Vacation Re-
dral with its famous organ, and of Sopot health resort
sorts in Bukowina Tatrzanska, Ciechocinek, Karpacz
costs $12.00 for 1 person, $16.00 for 2, and $15.00 for
and Krynica, with minimum stay of one week, single
3 persons. The charge for concert in Oliwa on week-
room with full board $6.50 per day, double for 2 per-
days, regardless of number of persons, is $6.50.
sons $11.00 per day; and in Zakopane $7.50 and $13.00
GDYNIA is a modern seaport of 150,000 inhabit-
respectively.
ants,, transformed from a fishing village in less than
50 years.
NOTE: Children from 4 to 12 years of age, accom-
panied by older persons, are given 25% reduction
A 4-hour tour by car of Old Gdansk, Oliwa cathe-
dral, Sopot health resort, new housing settlements in
when accomodated in the same room as their guard-
ians
Reduction of 20% is granted to tourists in
Gdynia, and a motorboat ride in the port costs $15.00
some hotels during the low season.
for 1 person, $20.00 for 2, and $22.50 for 3 persons.
A 31/2-hour Gdansk-Gdynia--Oliwa by night, includ-
ing a glass of wine in an old winery, supper with
For Your Health
vodka and trimmings, show in a night club, available
If you want to restore or improve your health, Po-
daily with the exception of Mondays, costs $16.00 per
land's the place to go any time.
person with 2 participants, and $12.00 per person in
a group, by coach.
Half a day excursion from Gdansk to Malbork, a
famous 14th century Teutonic Castle with thousands
of items on exhibit, costs $20.00 for 1 person, and
$30.00 for 2 and/or 3 persons. Near the city is a
small British and American cemetery, beautifully kept
with a memorial stone honoring the soldiers who died
SOLARIUM
so far from home fighting for freedom in World War
II.
The leading Polish health resorts are:
Half a day excursion from Gdansk to the Kartuzy
KRYNICA-the Pearl of the Polish Spas, known
area, known as Kaszubian Switzerland because of its
from the 16th century-located at the Beskid Sadecki
splendid scenery and folklore, costs $16.00 for 1 per-
Mountains, is recommended to persons suffering from
son, $20.00 for 2, and $24.00 for 3 persons.
diseases of the digestive system, the urinary and cir-
culatory systems, diabetes, and gynecological dis-
To the west, near the border with the German Dem-
orders.
ocratic Republic, is SZCZECIN, an important Polish
KUDOWA, in the Sudety Mountains, is one of the
seaport and industrial center with a population of
oldest health resorts in Europe. One of its famous
about 300,000. It was almost completely destroyed
patients was Winston Churchill. Excellent for sufferers
during World War II but today is basically rebuilt and
from cardiovascular diseases, nervous disorders, over-
a modern city with young people predominating.
weight, and those requiring convalescence after heart
SWINOUJSCIE-capital of 44 islands in the Szcze-
surgery.
cin area-is known as the Pearl of the Baltic. It is a
POLANICA, in the Sudety Mountains. Treatments
modern port, a large deep-sea fishing center and a
for diabetes and diseases of circulatory and digestive
heatlh resort. It can be reached from Szczecin in one
systems.
hour by hydrofoil. There is a daily ferry connection
SZCZAWNO in Lower Silesia. Treatments for di-
from Swinoujscie to Ystad in Sweden.
gestive, respiratory and urinary tracts, and for occu-
MIEDZYZDROJE, next to Swinoujscie, is the larg-
pational diseases.
est and best equipped seaside resort on the Baltic
CIECHOCINEK, in Central Poland, is the only spa
West coast.
in central Europe with an artificially produced medi-
terranean climate. Its salterns were already known in
SACRED CATHOLIC PLACE
the 13th century. Recommended for those who need
The most sacred place to Roman Catholics in Poland
a restorative cure and for those suffering from gout,
arthritis, respiratory diseases, nervous disorders, and
and to the millions of American Catholics of Polish
gynecological problems.
descent is CZESTOCHOWA, a city of almost 200,000
BUSKO, in Central Poland. Treatments for rheuma-
inhabitants.
tic, skin and gynecological diseases, and for neuroses.
The city was founded in 1220 and the Jasna Gora
KOLOBRZEG, on the Baltic coast, known as the
"Riviera of the North" for almost 150 years. Treat-
(Bright Mount) Monastery, containing the famous
ments for respiratory, circulatory and endocrinous dis-
image of Black Madonna, considered miraculous by
orders, as well as diabetes in adults and asthma and
Roman Catholics, in 1382.
arthritis in children.
Hotel Directory
Czestochowa is also an industrial, educational and
cultural center. Its steel mill employs 10,000 workers.
Class
Full
Half
Bed and
Several thousand students attend its Polytechnic and
Board
Pension
Breakfast
Teachers College. The city has an outstanding sym-
NOWY SACZ
phony orchestra.
Of special interest is an archeological reserve in the
Beskid
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
Rakow section with a cemetery dating to 650 B.C.
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
KOPERNIK'S CITIES
PLOCK
Interested in astronomy?
Petropol
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
Be that as it may, a visit to TORUN, birthplace of
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
Mikolaj Kopernik (Copernicus), father of modern
astronomy-also a rebel priest, lawyer specializing in
POZNAN
canon law, an economist with new monetary theories,
Merkury
Lux
Single
21.00
18.00
15.50
a mathematician, and a physician-and to FROM-
Double 35.00
29.00
24.00
BORK, where he lived, worked for 40 years, loved and
Bazar
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
died in 1543, would be quite an experience.
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
A full day excursion from Gdansk to Frombork
by private car costs only $30.00 for one (1) person,
RZESZOW
$44.00 for 2, and $54.00 for 3 persons.
Polonia
III
Single
12.00
10.50
9.00
Double 21.00
18.00
15.00
SOPOT
Grand
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
SZCZECIN
Continental
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
Arkona
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
TORUN
Kopernik's Monument in front of Staszic's Palace in
Kosmos
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
Warsaw, headquarters of Polish Academy of Sciences.
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
WROCLAW
Discovery Tours
Monopol
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
You can discover Poland best by taking one or
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
more of the inexpensive ORBIS all-inclusive fixed
Panorama
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
departure date tours. They are:
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
KOPERNIK'S (COPERNICUS) TRAIL, 9 days:
Warsaw-Olsztyn-Gizycko (Mazurian Lakes)-From-
ZAKOPANE
bork (Kopernik lived and worked there for 40 years
and had his great love affair)-Gdansk-Malbork-
Giewont
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
Torun (Kopernik's birthplace) -Zelazowa Wola (Cho-
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
pin's birthplace) -Warsaw.
ZIELONA GORA
The tour is operated every Saturday from May 20
to September 16.
Polan
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
The cost $125.00.
Double 29.00
24.00
19.00
CAPITALS OF PIAST DYNASTY, 9 days: War-
The suites (without meals) cost from $38.00 per day
saw-Poznan-Gniezno (first capital of Poland)-Bis-
in Lux hotels to $18.50 in second class hotels.
kupin-Zielona Gora-Wroclaw-Krakow-Oswiecim (Au-
schwitz) -Warka, birthplace of Pulaski-Warsaw.
International Student Hotels, available only in July
The tour is operated every Wednesday from May
and August, room and full board $6.00 per person
31 to September 6.
per day.
The cost $125.00.
POLAND'S CAPITALS, 9 days: Warsaw-Lowicz-
Lodz-Krakow-Sandomierz-Lublin-Kazimierz-Warsaw.
Hotel Directory
The tour is operated every Tuesday from May 16
to September 12.
(Rates per room per day in dollars)
The cost is $125.00.
Class
Full
Half
Bed and
SOUTHERN POLAND, 7 days: Warsaw-Zelazowa
Board
Pension
Breakfast
Wola-Czestochowa-Zakopane-Oswiecim-Krakow.
WARSAW
The tour is operated every Thursday from May 18
to September 14.
Europejski
Lux
Single
21.00
18.00
15.50
The cost $100.00.
Double
35.00
29.00
24.00
WESTERN POLAND, 9 days: Warsaw-Katowice-
Bristol
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
Wroclaw-Zielona Gora-Poznan-Torun-Warsaw.
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
The tour is operated every Friday from June 16 to
Grand
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
September 15.
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
The cost $125.00.
MDM
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
GRAND CIRCLE TOUR, 14 days: Warsaw-Poznan-
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
Torun-Gdansk-Szczecin-Zielona Gora-Wroclaw-Warka,
Metropol
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
birthplace of Pulaski, Warsaw.
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
Starting dates: May 15, 29; June 12, 26; July 10,
Warszawa
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
24; August 7, 21; September 4, 18.
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
The cost $195.00.
KRAKOW
SOUTHERN POLAND, 10 days: Warsaw-Lublin-
Rzeszow-Nowy Sacz-Oswiecim-Katowice-Czestochowa-
Cracovia
Lux
Single
21.00
18.00
15.50
Krakow.
Double
35.00
29.00
24.00
The tour is operated every Sunday from May 14 to
Francuski
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
September 10.
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
The cost $140.00.
Polski
I/B
Single
15.00
12.50
10.00
All tours start at 6 P.M. at GRAND HOTEL in
Double
26.00
21.00
16.00
WARSAW.
BYDGOSZCZ
The rates include: accomodation in double rooms
with private bath where available, full board, motor-
Pod Orlem
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
coach transportation, entrance fees, sightseeing and
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
services of ORBIS guide accompanying the tour.
GDANSK
Supplement for single room $2.00 per day.
Monopol
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
Exciting Youth Tours
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
For young people, Poland is offering many exciting,
KATOWICE
inexpensive tours starting at only $3.00 per day for
accomodation and meals.
Katowice
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
Silesia
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
Double 29.00
24.00
19.00
KOLOBRZEG
Skanpol
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
Jazz
Band
LUBLIN
Unia
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
Double
29.00
24.00
19.00
LODZ
Grand
I/A
Single
18.00
15.50
13.00
Double 29.00
24.00
19.00
AUGUST-VII Festival of Chamber Music, featuring
Students should write for details to the Polish
oratories and cantatas in Wroclaw
8 to 15 XXVII
Students Association Travel and Tourism Office "AL-
Festival of Chopin's Music at Duszniki Zdroj health
MATUR", 9 Ordynacka St., Warsaw, Poland, and
resort
THIRD DECADE: XII International Song
other young people to the Youth Travel Office "JU-
Festival at Sopot.
VENTUR", Al. Roz 2, Warsaw, Poland.
SEPTEMBER-First Sunday-HARVEST FESTI-
All tours include get-together with Polish youth.
VAL-all over Poland
TATRA AUTUMN in
Zakopane
-V International Folklore Festival of
Mountain Regions
FESTIVAL of Student and
Touring By Car
Avant garde Theatres Festivals in Wroclaw
10 to
16-VIII Bydgoszcz Music Festival in Bydgoszcz,
Touring Poland by car is an excellent way to meet
Torun and Lubostron.
the country's hospitable and friendly people.
Poland has 3,600 miles of modern international
OCTOBER-JAZZ JAMBOREE 72-XIV Interna-
highways and 69,600 miles of other hard-surfaced
tional jazz festival in Warsaw.
roads.
DECEMBER-X All-Polish Students Song Festival
Many roads pass through picturesque, sometimes
and Exhibition of Famous Krakow's Creches in
virgin, regions.
Krakow.
Moreover, the roads in Poland are not overcrowded
as yet and so the motorist can really enjoy driving.
Scientific Congresses
The speed limit in densely inhabited areas is 30 miles
per hour and no limit on the open road. In most
cities and towns it is not allowed to blow horn. Other-
wise, the rules of the road in Poland are similar to
During 1972 Poland will host numerous scientific
those in the United States and Canada.
congresses of which the most important are:
And there are plenty of gas stations with a sub-
APRIL-UNESCO Seminar on Ecology in Warsaw.
stantial number of them open 24 hours a day. The
MAY 5 to 15-in Warsaw, VI International Con-
average distance between the gas stations is 12 miles
gress on Regional Economies
17 to 21 in Kazimierz
on the main highways.
International Symposium on Structure and Function
The service stations sell 94 and 78 octane gasoline,
of Normal and Diseased Muscle and Peripheral Nerve,
fuel oil for Diesel motors and Extra, Shell, Castrol,
18 to 20 in Warsaw, XIX convention of the Polish
Mobil and Lux motor oils. It is advisible to pur-
Orthopedic Society
29-30 in Warsaw, VI Inter-
chase special ORBIS fuel coupons which are accepted
national Symposium on School Health and Medicine.
by all the gas stations in Poland and give about 30%
JUNE 5 to 9 in Warsaw-Congress of the Interna-
reduction as compared to the prices paid in Polish
tional Federation of Children Communities
14 to
currency. For one coupon worth 70 cents, the tourist
19 in Wroclaw XIV International Symposium on Di-
can buy 4 litres (over one gallon) of 94 octane gasoline
seases in Zoo Animals.
or 10 litres of fuel oil or 1 litre of top grade motor oil.
JULY 25 to 29 in Warsaw-XI International Con-
When crossing the border, the motorist can obtain
ference on Physics of Semiconductors.
from the Polish Automobile and Motorcycle Federa-
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER - 21-2 in Warsaw-XVII
tion (PZM) a list of gas stations and service centers,
General Assembly of the International Scientific Radio
as well as road maps, insurance policy (accident and
(URSI)
29-4 in Torun VI International Confer-
liability insurance is compulsory under the Polish
ence on Nonlinear Vibration
30-2 in Warsaw Inter-
law), fuel coupons and other information. Also, hotel
national Symposium on Foundation of Theory of
reservations can be made.
Plasticity.
In case of accident, the PZM provides the motorist
SEPTEMBER 8 to 11 in Warsaw-Conference on
with every technical, legal and medical aid.
Social and Human values of Slavonic Literature
The PZM also operates Road Aid. Its service
10 to 16 in Bydgoszcz International Congress and
trucks, painted yellow, patrol the main highways and
Festival of Ancient Music of Central and Eastern
make all possible repairs on the spot and, if necessary,
Europe
12 to 16 in Wroclaw International Confer-
tow the damaged car to the nearest garage. However,
ence on Molecular Spectoscropy
18 to 22 in War-
in the event of disability, it is advisible to call the
saw VII International Congress on Electro-Heat (UIE)
nearest PZM service center.
20 to 22 in Warsaw V International Paper Makers
For 350 zlotys (about $15) a motorist can pur-
Congress.
chase from PZM or from the road service that an-
OCTOBER-in Krakow-Conference of the Inter-
swers his call an annual ticket for free and unlimited
national Anticancerous Union
2 to 5 in Warsaw
road service throughout the country-otherwise the
International Congress of the Cooperative Union.
charge for each road service call is 150 zlotys ($6.25).
The PZM also sells parts for cars for foreign cur-
rency.
In urgent cases, tourists who are in Poland may
Major 1972 Events
be contacted by radio through PZM.
The headquarters of the Polish Automobile and
JANUARY-FEBRUARY-WINTER CARNIVAL in
Motorcycle Federation is located at Krucza 6/14, War-
Zakopane
sleigh rides, mountain folk dances, folk
saw, cable address "Beteem Warszawa," telex 81-575.
shows, etc.
The Polish Travel Office ORBIS rents cars with or
FEBRUARY-Festival of Polish Contemporary Music
in Wroclaw.
without driver.
Cars can be rented from ORBIS offices in Warsaw,
MARCH 11 to 14-All-Polish Jazz Festival in Wro-
Krakow, Gdansk, Katowice, Lodz and Wroclaw, and in
claw
19 to 21 International Alpine Skiing Compe-
Poznan during the International Trade Fair.
tition in Zakopane.
APRIL-Spring Folklore Festival in Zywiec, Krakow
RENTAL OF CARS WITH DRIVERS
province.
Type of cars
Rate per day
Rate per
MAY 1-LABOR DAY-All over Poland parades, spec-
(8 hours)
kilometer
tacles, concerts, carnivals, merrymaking
JUVEN-
(0.62 mile)
ALIA-academic youth holiday in Krakow, merry-
Mercedes
$9.00
$0.12
making that continues the tradition of student antics
Humber
9.00
0.12
and pranks that go back to medieval days
XVII
Fiat
9.00
0.12
International Book Fair in Warsaw with 25 countries
Wolga
9.00
0.12
participating and an accent on Kopernik's Year books
(No additional charges)
12 to 18 Festival of Chamber Music in Lancut,
Rzeszow province, with famous Polish and foreign
RENTAL OF CAR WITHOUT DRIVER
orchestras and soloists participating.
Rate per day
Rate per
MAY-SEPTEMBER-Concerts of organ music in Ko-
(24 hours)
kilometer
szalin.
(0.62 mile)
MAY-DECEMBER-Symphonic and chamber music
Wolga GAZ
$8.00
$0.08
concerts at the Royal Castle courtyard in Krakow.
Fiat 125 P 1500
7.00
0.07
JUNE-Art Festival and IX International Festival of
Fiat 125 P 1300
7.00
0.06
Short Films in Krakow
XXI International Horse-
Cost of gas and oil in addition.
manship Competition in Olsztyn
Folklore Festival
Discount of 50 cents per day is granted when self-
in Lowicz 11-20th 41st International Trade Fair in
Poznan
drive care is rented for over 6 days, and additional dis-
ALL-POLISH Folklore Festival in Plock
count of $1.00 per day is given during the low season.
34th International Canoe Regatta on the Dunajec River
10th Annual Track and Field Competition in War-
saw
For motorists interested in camping, ORBIS rec-
SUMMER EVE traditional Slavic holiday
WIANKI in Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, and in hun-
ommends 50 sites. The campers are required to pur-
dreds of other places on the banks of Polish rivers,
chase exchange vouchers in the amount of $3.00 per
with enchanting ceremony of letting wreaths down
day for accomodation and food. For details and maps
the river.
write to the Polish Travel Office ORBIS, 500 Fifth
Ave., New York, N. Y. 10036.
JUNE-AUGUST-International Biennial Exhibit of
Posters and Graphic Arts in Krakow
VII Festival
Persons traveling to Poland by car or intending to
of Organ and Chamber Music in Kamien Pomorski,
rent a car there should have an international driver
JUNE-SEPTEMBER-Concerts of Chopin's music in
license, issued in USA by the American Automobile
the composer's birthplace at Zelazowa Wola, near War-
Association and in Canada by the Canadian Auto-
saw every Sunday and holiday.
mobile Association, or a local drivers' license with a
JULY-29th International Motorcycle Races in Tatra
certified translation into Polish or French.
Mountains (Zakopane)
XIV Festival of Organ
Music in Oliwa, near Gdansk
8 to 13 Festival of
Military Songs in Kolobrzeg
First Decade -
Moniuszko Festival in Kudowa Zdroj health resort
10 to 24 Second World Festival of Artistic Groups
of Poles Abroad in Rzeszow
22 INDEPENDENCE
DAY-all over Poland sports, parades, festivals, ex-
hibits, concerts, merrymaking
1 to 31 STUDENTS
Art Festival in Swinoujscie.