The Sejm Debates a Sword Linked to Mieszko I and Its Display at a Polish Museum
In a forceful response to opposition criticisms, Minister of State Assets Jacek Sasin addressed the Sejm, defending the transfer of a sword historically tied to Mieszko I to Father Tadeusz Rydzyk in Jasna Góra. The sword was moved to the Memory and Identity Museum named after Saint John Paul II in Toruń.
The minister criticized the opposition, suggesting they underestimated the seriousness of the matter. He described the chamber as chaotic at times and implied that the opposition intended to confirm a negative public perception about the government. Sasin asserted that state-owned enterprises under his party, Law and Justice (PiS), undertake a social mission and demonstrate corporate social responsibility. He claimed these companies are well managed, profitable, and capable of supporting important social initiatives, including culture and regional heritage.
According to Sasin, under PiS, state-owned enterprises contribute to society by backing numerous cultural and civic projects. He argued that the institutions now serve as patrons of cultural life, whereas under previous administrations they were managed by different standards and practices aligned with the opposition. Cries from opposition members reportedly interrupted the minister’s address, reflecting the charged atmosphere of the session.
In response to questions about the sword and Father Tadeusz Rydzyk, Sasin stated that critics had focused excessively on Rydzyk. He explained that the sword, along with other works of art, was acquired for Polish museums through the Enea Group and donated to the Memory and Identity Museum, a state institution. He emphasized that the museum is administered by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, not by Father Rydzyk personally.
The minister announced that the sword would become part of the museum’s exhibits when it opens in October. He invited opponents to visit the museum to learn more about Polish history and the importance of state support for national heritage through cultural institutions. He argued that Poles should maintain a strong sense of national identity and pride in their history and culture, rather than dissolving into a broader European multicultural framework. He asserted that cultural institutions help preserve a sense of belonging and pride for Polish citizens.
The discussion closed with the assertion that the preservation of national heritage remains a priority, and that the museum’s opening would illustrate the long-standing relationship between the state, culture, and national memory.
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READ ALSO: The head of MAP presented Father Rydzyk with a sword from the era of Mieszko I. The gift is now part of the Museum Memory and Identity in Toruń