| dc.description.abstract | In the first half of the nineteen seventies, there was a noticeable improvement of the standard of living of the
Polish society. The ruling elite, headed by Edward Gierek, using callously contracted foreign loans, brought about
an increase of consumption of the society. It also took care of the development of foreign tourism. However, it
did not give up ideological vigilance, especially with regard to the young generation. The youth movement was
consolidated. Spectacular celebrations in the vein of the success propaganda were promoted.
The festivities in Kraków, attended by ca. nine thousand participants, became a great spectacle. The first meeting
took place at Lenin’s monument under the banner of “Lenin - a biography of those who march incessantly.”
Subsequent three days were also filled with solemn celebrations. On July 22nd, a meeting of the convention
participants with the party executives was arranged at the Main Market Square, where Edward Gierek, the 1st
secretary of the PZPR (Polish Communist Party) party, himself gave a speech. The young people took an oath in
which they vowed faithfulness to the socialist motherland and friendship with the Soviet Union. At the same time,
the central group formation took place in Kraków, from which a delegation of 800 persons went to attend the youth
and student festival in Berlin. | en_EN |
