• May 2 is Flag Day Poland – holiday established in 2004
• It has to emphasize our nationality and to promote the habit of displaying the Polish flag
• Few of us remember, however, to hang it on national holidays
• Often we make mistakes at the same time – eg. Hanging out on the balcony flag with the emblem
• Insult, and even break flags waving in front of the office is treated as a criminal offense
• Maybe not even threaten prison
When you set the appearance of the Polish flag?
In the Middle Ages was used flags and banners on which were placed the emblem. The flag as a symbol of the state and the nation became widespread in Europe only in the first half of the nineteenth century. The fact that the Polish flag formed the white and red stripes decided Sejm of the Polish Kingdom in 1831.
In later years, another bill precyzowały appearance of the flag, including accurate color red – when compared with each other flags of various countries, we find that although many of them appear red color, it has a slightly different hue. Current law specifies the color of 1980. It also identifies the proportions Polish flags as 5: 8.
In accordance with Article. 5 “the Coat Colors and Anthem of the Republic of Polish and State Seals,” everyone has the right to use state flags to highlight the importance of celebrations, holidays or other events. The calendar lists national holidays to 11 days, in which units of state administration and local government have a duty to expose flags on their buildings.
The citizens have no such obligation, but it is a gesture which is considered as a declaration of citizenship. The flag should hang out, among others, Independence Day (November 11), the Constitution of 3 May, the Polish Army (August 15), but also in the Day of Remembrance Soldiers accursed (March 1), Day of Solidarity and Freedom (31 August), the Day of the Underground Polish State (September 27). Since 2004. This day is also May 2 – RP Flag Day.
In many countries, the flag hangs also on the occasion of other important private celebrations such as marriage, birth of a child, etc.. In Poland, it is also permissible, but virtually unheard of, although such a habit encourages the Commission Heraldic dedicated to giving opinions any matter relating to, among others, with coats of arms and flags. Today, however, in our country the custom fly the flag even on public holidays is not too common. Also important holidays like Independence Day white-and-red flags waving only the windows and balconies of individual apartments.
This is Flag Day RP is to be a celebration that will change. Because it falls on May 2, which is between two public holidays and a large portion of the day is a day off from work, in many cities organized various actions and happenings to promote the flag as a symbol of national identity that unites all Poles. In some cities, handing out flags for free, encouraging passers-by to be hung on the facades of their houses and apartments. There are also actions whose aim is to create the largest flag, which carries over the heads of a crowd of people. Unfortunately, so far not translated into an increase in the number of flags exhibited on the occasion of national holidays.
If you hang out a flag – do it properly
Those who remember the flags of wywieszaniu not always do it in a proper manner. The most common mistake is displaying white-and-red flag with the emblem. Many people think that this flag is “cooler” because more colorful, impressive and underlines our “Polishness”. It turns out, however, that displaying it, eg. On the balcony is not in accordance with the protocol flagship.
“flag with the emblem should not be used by citizens, because it is reserved exclusively for groups of entities referred to in the Act (embassies, airports, civilian aircraft during the flight abroad, kapitanaty ports, on ships offshore)” – we read in the recommendations for citizens, attached to the minutes of the flagship of the Commission heraldic.
The flag should of course be clean, ironed and undamaged. You should put it on a pole in such a way that it does not touch the ground or floor and so solid that did not break the wind.
If our flag after years become frayed or is damaged, do not throw it away in the trash. We should destroy it, but in a “dignified manner”, ie by burning or cutting of both colors.
The flag should not be too put any inscriptions, although fairly common phenomenon – especially among fans of football, volleyball and ski jumping – is exposing the stands with flags placed on them the names of towns or other inscriptions. According to the protocol flagship, it is improper behavior.
prison for insulting the flag
The white-red flags have today become the integral part of all kinds of demonstrations, pickets or strikes street. As it turns out, it is also a matter of concern Heraldic Commission.
“Do not abuse the state symbols during protests organized by a group of professional or social, if it is not linked to the fight for the good of all the people” – this is another of the recommendations for the citizens.
But how to recognize whether a demonstration applies to the fight for the good of the entire nation? But many times it happens that even the same day in one city held a demonstration of support for an idea, and a little further – picket the opponents. Participants in both the first and second picket of white-red flags and are convinced that they are fighting for the good of the whole nation, not their opponents.
Equally problematic is the determination of the border use of national symbols for a variety of artistic activities. In 2008, the “Cuba Provincial” on TVN invited to the studio guests, encouraged by the teacher, they put their miniature Polish flag in the dummy dog droppings. This was to draw attention to the problem of dog to buy sidewalks Polish cities. The prosecution initially dropped the investigation in this case, concluding that the program was the nature of entertainment, and the purpose of the happening was not insulting the Polish flag. However, the station was punished for breaking the law on radio and television, which says that “broadcasts can not promote illegal activity, the Polish raison d’etat attitudes and beliefs contrary to the moral and social interest.” TVN appealed against the judgment to the Supreme Court, which, however, upheld the penalty, indicating that the program “Provincial Cuba” is not only entertainment, but also current affairs. The station therefore had to pay nearly half a million penalty.
Insult flag by the Polish Penal Code considered an offense against the Polish Republic. Article 137 says: “Whoever publicly insults, destroys, damages or removes emblem, banner, banner, flag, flag or other sign of the State, subject to a fine, imprisonment or imprisonment for a year.” It should be recalled that this provision applies not only to insult the Polish flag, but also any other country.
April 12, 2010 in Olesnica, during the national mourning after the Smolensk crash, 20-year-old girl broke up a flag hanging on one of the buildings, and then tried to burn it, but she did not. Then I wrote on it insulting words tragically died two days earlier of President Lech Kaczynski. At the hearing he claimed that it was just a stupid prank, but for insulting the flag court sentenced her to six months, suspended for three years and police supervision. It acquitted for the charge of insulting the head of state.
On the other hand, in March 2015 years before the court stood 38-year-old Marcin K., who broke the flag before the City Council in Tuchów and hung it on the Monument to the Victims of Nazism. As he testified, he did it with patriotic reasons, but simply deleting the national symbols is also considered as a crime. He was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for four years, having previously made or stolen cast iron weights with a railway line.
Officials do not always know how to handle the flag
As it turns out, the problems with the observance of the protocol have not only ordinary citizens but also officials. But you need to remember a lot more rules relating to eg. The right location Polish flags among others. If you hang next to each other have two, four or more flags, Polish should be first on the right, but the flags are the three – should be in the middle. Equally complex are the rules concerning the signaling of national mourning. It is well known that in such a situation, the flag is lowered to half-mast, but not everyone knows that in such a situation, the flag should be drawn to the top of the mast and then leave halfway up.
Some officials and organizers also happens forget to show appropriate respect for the flag. Several years ago a sensation on the Internet made a video in which the exemplary folding the flag by US soldiers compiled with curl into a ball Polish flag in Sejny after the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the Smolensk disaster. To this day, recording serves as a classic example of how the flag should not be treated.
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