GALA TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS!!!

A gala event attended by more than 700 representatives of the highest state and local government authorities, supervisory bodies, offices and companies cooperating with the Port of Gdynia, current and retired employees of the Port Authority and economic entities located on its premises, was the culmination of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Port of Gdynia.

On 27 September, the great Port Family met at the Danuta Baduszkowa Music Theatre in Gdynia to celebrate 100 years of the Port, which had become a legend before it really came into being. It was a dream – first of a few enthusiasts – and then the fulfilment and love of the whole society. It was a great and important symbol of a reborn Poland.

Sent to the regained Polish coast, engineer Tadeusz Wenda identified Gdynia as the most suitable place for a harbour, drew up the design and became head of the construction management.  The anniversary gala was attended, as guest of honour, by his granddaughter – Ms Hanna Wenda-Uszyńska. We also hosted Ms Marianna Doliwa-Dobrowolska – a representative of the family of Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Second Republic of Poland, who took advantage of the favourable economic situation and ensured funding and investment momentum for the construction of the port.

In the first part of the gala, a congratulatory letter from President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda was read out by Piotr Karczewski – his social advisor and vice-chairman of the Pomorskie Voivodeship Assembly:

“(…) Today’s Gdynia continues the great achievements of its founding fathers, and the port invariably remains one of the most outstanding pearls of our maritime potential.

It successfully acts as a generator of the country’s economic development. Gdynia is among the top container ports in the Baltic and is the largest agroport in the area. Last year, despite the difficulties associated with the pandemic, was another year of growth in cargo handling and the arrival of commercial vessels here. I am very pleased with the ambitious investments that are significantly multiplying the capacity of the Port of Gdynia. I am convinced that, to a great extent, it is here that the key to a successful Polish future lies. (…) I wish all those who create the success of the Port of Gdynia new great achievements. I wish you to feel patriotic pride in your ability to give an impressive and realistic shape to the aspirations of the Polish people to meet the challenges of the 21^st century. I sincerely thank all the people and communities involved in multiplying the maritime potential of the Homeland.

Andrzej Duda

President of the Republic of Poland”.

A congratulatory letter from the Prime Minister – Mateusz Morawiecki – was read out by Marcin Horała – Secretary of State at the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, Government Plenipotentiary for the Central Communication Port for Poland, who also spoke on his own behalf, recalling his own professional links with the port. The speaker emphasised that the Poland of the inter-war period did not lack boldness and vision:

“(…) the construction of the Port of Gdynia is proof that Poles can realise big and bold projects”. Horała pointed out that the legacy of the port’s builders is also a huge challenge: “(…) It is a measure of what we in contemporary Poland can and should achieve”.

He also stressed the importance of investments carried out in the Port of Gdynia, strengthening its position and demonstrating its great potential.

The last of the guests to speak was the Minister of Infrastructure, Andrzej Adamczyk. The Minister returned to the very beginnings of the Port of Gdynia, pointing out that the decision to build the port became a symbol of the reborn state:

“(…) The decision to build a port in Gdynia taken by the Sejm at the dawn of the Second Polish Republic became a great symbol of the reborn state. It was neither an easy nor a cheap undertaking, but today time acknowledges the courageous people and visionaries.”

At the end of the official part, the President of the Management Board of PoGA S.A. Jacek Sadaj welcomed the guests on behalf of the Company’s Management Board:

“(…) 100 years is just the beginning. For 100 years, the Port of Gdynia has been building the future of the economy, building the future of the city of Gdynia, people, business and creating culture. May the achievements of the Gdynia Port Builders be an inspiration and proof to us all that nothing is impossible.”

The artistic part of the event was preceded by a short auction of the work of Gdynia artist Jan Rutka, creator of the graphic design for the 100^th anniversary of the port. The proceeds from the auction were earmarked for the Children’s Hospice “Bursztynowa Przystań” [Amber Haven] in Gdynia. The gala, hosted by Tomasz Kamel, was honoured by a warmly applauded performance by Waldemar Malicki & Filharmonia Dowcipu [Philharmonic of Wit]. After an undoubtedly sophisticated musical feast, the hosts invited the guests for refreshments in the foyer of the theatre. It was an opportunity for many interesting conversations and reminiscences spun by people who, at various ‘episodes’ of the Port’s everyday life, co-create the reality and influence the future of the Distinguished Jubilarian.

Today’s Port is an attractive place for investors and the largest employer in the city. Successive generations of Gdynia’s port workers strive for its further stable development. We would like to congratulate them on their jubilee and wish them further fruitful work for the benefit of their work, which undoubtedly remains in the hearts of everyone who has worked here even for a moment!