Poland celebrates Independence Day

photo - PAP/Radek Pietruszka

Later on Tuesday a large security presence will be in place for a nationalist “Patriots' Army' march, which organisers expect 50,000 to take part – a demonstration which has seen clashes with police and counter demonstrators in the past few years.

Łukasz Parszczyński comes first in the 10-kilometer route XXVI Independence Run in Warsaw: photo - PAP / Bartlomiej Zborowski

President Bronislaw Komorowski began Independence Day – when in 1918 Poland was reborn on the map of Europe after a century of subjugation under Russian, Prussian and Austrian empires – by laying a wreath at the monument to Marshal Jozef Pilsudski - Polish de facto leader after independence to his death in 1935 – in Pilsudski Square in Warsaw and then took part in a Mass with First Lady Anna at St John's Cathedral.

From right: President of Poland Bronislaw Komorowski, Minister of National Defence Tomasz Siemoniak and Chief of General Staff Gen. Mieczysław Gocuł lay wreaths before the monument to Jozef Pilsudski at Pilsudski Square in Warsaw: photo - PAP / Jacek Turczyk

At 11.11 am, 15,000 athletes set off on the annual Independence Run through the streets of Warsaw and after midday President Komorowski will lead the official 'Together for Independence' march.

President Komorowski leads 'Together for Independence' march: photo - PAP/Radek Pietruszka

The nationalist march will set off soon afterwards, which, last year, saw a security guard's cabin set alight outside the Russian Embassy, with police making several arrests. (pg)