Why does Kielce hold a special place in the story of Polish independence? In the fifth episode of the INTEURO podcast, we explore the events, people and symbols that linked the city’s history to the struggle for a free Poland.
Dedicated to Poland’s National Independence Day, this episode takes the form of a short, evocative journey through history. We return to August 1914, when the First Cadre Company, formed on the initiative of Józef Piłsudski, entered Kielce. This is the starting point for a story about the city’s Polish Legions heritage, the memory of the struggle for freedom and the shared threads of Polish and Ukrainian history.
The episode explores:
- the entry of the First Cadre Company into Kielce on 12 August 1914 and the city’s role in Poland’s struggle for independence,
- Kasztanka (“Chestnut”) – Józef Piłsudski’s famous mare,
- the Kielce roots of the melody of “We, the First Brigade”,
- the Polish-Ukrainian brotherhood in arms during the war against the Bolsheviks in 1920,
- Colonel Marko Bezruchko and the soldiers of the 6th Sich Rifle Division of the Ukrainian People’s Republic Army under his command,
- Kielce as a place whose history is worth discovering as you build a new life here.
In this episode:
Kielce and the road to independence – from the First Cadre Company and the symbols of the Polish Legions to Polish-Ukrainian solidarity and the importance of local history for the city’s residents today.
One of the film’s themes is Kielce’s connection with the song “We, the First Brigade”. Its melody comes from Kielce March No. 10, which was part of the repertoire of the Kielce Fire Brigade band. Revisiting this history reveals the familiar song as part of the city’s musical heritage.
The story also takes us to 1920 and the joint struggle of Polish soldiers and the soldiers of the Ukrainian People’s Republic Army. We recall Marko Bezruchko, commander of the 6th Sich Rifle Division, known for his role in the defence of Zamość. This part of the story recalls cooperation in the defence of freedom, an experience that holds an important place in the memory of both nations.
Watch INTEURO podcast #5 on YouTube
We dedicate this film to Kielce and the people for whom the city has become a second home. Learning about its past helps us better understand the places we pass every day, local traditions and the meaning of the holidays we celebrate together.
INTEURO podcasts are a series of practical, multilingual conversations about life in Poland and the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. We invite representatives of public administration, experts, local media and foreign nationals to take part.
The series aims to make reliable information more accessible, support foreign nationals in becoming more self-reliant and integrated, and promote intercultural dialogue.
History that helps you get to know your new home
We invite everyone who would like to learn more about Kielce and its residents to watch this episode. Poland’s National Independence Day offers an opportunity to discover local heritage and talk about freedom, solidarity and building a community.
Need information or support?
INTEURO helpline: +48 573 338 377
Viber / WhatsApp: +48 789 085 083
Email: info@inteuro.info
Project website: www.inteuro.info
INTEURO app: www.inteuro.info/app
Implemented by: Europe–East Integration Association
“INTEURO – Integration of Foreign Nationals in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship” project
No. FAMI.02.01-IZ.00-0014/25
The project is co-financed by the European Union under the European Funds for Migration, Borders and Security.
The author is solely responsible for the opinions expressed. The European Commission and Poland’s Ministry of the Interior and Administration are not responsible for any use made of the information provided.