Poland to hold modest Independence Day celebrations this year

Official celebrations of Poland's Independence Day this November 11 will be very limited due to the coronavirus pandemic, an aide to President Andrzej Duda said on Thursday. Head of the President's Office Krzysztof Szczerski told the rmf24.pl web portal that "of course, there will be celebrations but not in forms that we are used to, such as the ceremonial changing of the guard and a big gathering at [Warsaw's] Pilsudski Square." However, "there will be a speech by the president, there will also be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier but, really, in a very modest format this year," said the aide.