Debrecen4U November 10, 2026

Polish Institute Opens Exhibition on Solidarity and Hungarians at New City Hall in Debrecen

To mark the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity” (NSZZ „Solidarność”), and to pay tribute to Hungarian citizens who received the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, the Polish Institute in Budapest and the Municipality of the City of Debrecen have organised an exhibition entitled We Are Many, Though Few – Solidarity and Hungarians, which opened at the New City Hall Gallery on 9 November 2026.

At the opening ceremony, Deputy Mayor István Puskás highlighted the close ties that have connected Debrecen with numerous Polish cities for centuries. He noted that, in connection with the events of 23 October, they had also commemorated the origins of the friendship between Lublin and Debrecen. “This exhibition is about far more than recalling historical events. It is about us and our identity – about who we are today,” he said. According to him, what Hungary became in the 1980s was inseparable from its Polish friends and Polish history, and the exhibition panels bring to life a history that continues to shape our present, offering us all both lessons and reassurance that the centuries-old ties and friendship connecting the two nations must be reaffirmed from time to time.

Jarosław Bajaczyk, Director of the Polish Institute in Budapest, pointed out that the exhibition’s title refers to the song Mocskos idők by the band Európa Kiadó. Following its presentation in Budapest, Debrecen is its second venue in Hungary. “This exhibition documents historical events from more than four decades ago and recalls the challenges of the 1980s, which both nations rose to exceptionally well. It demonstrated the strength of friendship and showed that even unfavourable political circumstances and the imbalance of power between the authorities and citizens can be overcome,” he emphasised. The Director also stressed that Poland remains grateful for the support shown by Hungarians, which grew out of grassroots civic initiatives, genuine human solidarity and courage.

Following the welcoming speeches, Anna Ráckevei, a Jászai Mari Award-winning actress and recipient of the titles Meritorious Artist and Excellent Artist, read an excerpt from a stage adaptation of the memoirs of Lech Wałęsa’s wife. The exhibition was then introduced to visitors by Jerzy Celichowski, the project’s curator.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu