Exactly three years ago today I joined Polish people to celebrate their centenary independence commemorating some greatest mountaineers the country belongs to. Poland is not just a country of people with beautiful hearts but also a country where the world’s greatest mountaineers are born and live in. From the era of Wanda Rutkiewicz, Jerzy Kukuczka to now Andrzej Bargiel, Adam Bielecki, and many others, they are the fair and dare mountain players, the ice warriors who bring the spirit of mountaineering, the ethics, the sportsmanship, the comradeship, when they are in the mountains.

Adam Bielecki hoisting the National flag of Poland on the summit of Mt Makalu (8481 m). Credit: Artur Hajzer

This year again, I send my best wishes to all wonderful people in Poland for continued strength and happiness, for the success as well as for well-being and prosperity on the occasion of 103rd National Independence Day. Gratulacje Polska!