( English: Salute to Great Poland) is a Polish nationalist slogan that has been associated with various political and cultural movements in

Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...

. It has gained prominence in recent years, particularly during public gatherings and events commemorating Poland's independence.

Historical Background

The slogan has historical roots dating back to Poland's complex history of independence and national identity. It is derived from the Polish word , which can be translated as hail or salute, and , meaning Great Poland. The use of such slogans has been a recurring motif in Polish history during moments of patriotic fervor and national pride. The usage of has been closely linked to various political and ideological movements. Notably, it has been associated initially with the

Camp of Great Poland Camp of Great Poland (, OWP) was a far-right,Obóz Wielkiej Polski
,

Roman Dmowski Roman Stanisław Dmowski Polish: (9 August 1864 – 2 January 1939) was a Polish right-wing politician, statesman, and co-founder and chief ideologue of the National Democracy (abbreviated "ND": in Polish, "''Endecja''") political movement ...

and later the

National Radical Camp The National Radical Camp () was an ultranationalist and antisemitic political movement which existed in the pre-World War II Second Polish Republic, and an illegal Polish anti-communist,Francisco Franco Francisco Franco Bahamonde (born Francisco Paulino Hermenegildo Teódulo Franco Bahamonde; 4 December 1892 – 20 November 1975) was a Spanish general and dictator who led the Nationalist faction (Spanish Civil War), Nationalist forces i ...

. In contemporary Poland, has found resonance primarily among

far-right Far-right politics, often termed right-wing extremism, encompasses a range of ideologies that are marked by ultraconservatism, authoritarianism, ultranationalism, and nativism. This political spectrum situates itself on the far end of the ...

and ultranationalist movements. These groups have adopted the slogan to convey their vision of a culturally conservative, nationalist Poland. The slogan has been chanted and displayed on banners during various gatherings and rallies. The slogan has been prominently featured during Poland's annual Independence Day celebrations on November 11th. This date marks the anniversary of Poland regaining its sovereignty in 1918, more than a century after it was partitioned and absorbed by neighboring powers.

Controversy

The use of and its association with far-right and ultranationalist movements have generated controversy both within Poland and internationally. Critics argue that the slogan is indicative of a growing far-right presence in the country and raises concerns about rising nationalism and xenophobia. In an incident in 2018, hundreds of supporters of the ONR and members of

All-Polish Youth The All-Polish Youth () refers to two inter-linked Polish far-right ultranationalist List of youth organizations, youth organizations, with a Political Catholicism, Catholic-nationalist philosophy. Its agenda declares that its aim is "''to raise ...

participated in a pilgrimage to Jasna Góra. They marched with burning torches and shouted slogans including Hail Great Poland, God, Honour, Fatherland, and Youth, Faith, Nationalism.

References

{{Reflist Polish nationalism Polish political phrases Politics of Poland National radicalism

Historical Background

Controversy

See also

References