Wizyty prezydenta Stanisława Wojciechowskiego w Grudziądzu w latach 1924–1925

In 1920, under the Treaty of Versailles, Grudziądz became part of the Polish state. The city did not suffer as a result of military operations; on the contrary, its industry was strongly developed. For these reasons, from the very beginning Grudziądz aspired to the role of an important economic and political centre in newly created Pomeranian Voivodeship. The city authorities headed by J. Włodek intended to strengthen their position by sending numerous invitations to prominent figures of Polish politics. Józef Piłsudski visited the city in 1921. Responding to an invitation, President Stanisław Wojciechowski visited Grudziądz twice during his term, on 23 and 24th of June 1924 and on 26 of June 1925. The first visit was aimed at showing demographic changes in the city, which was repolonized in a very short time. Moreover, the municipal authorities wanted their city to play a more important role, keeping in mind nearby “rival” cities of Bydgoszcz and Toruń. Wojciechowski’s two-day visit went without major complications. The members of the delegation had a walk around the city and visited several buildings: the town hall, selected industrial plants, schools, cultural institutions, military barracks, printing houses and retail outlets. A year later, Wojciechowski agreed to a pay another visit. This time, it was organized on the occasion of the First Pomeranian Exhibition of Agriculture and Industry in Grudziądz on June 26th–July 12th, 1925. The schedule was practically limited to the service in the parish church and the visit at the Exhibition Square on Hallera street. The President also visited additional shows associated with the Exhibition – Machine Building School (vocational education, culture, folk industry), Elementary School on Narutowicza street (craft) and the museum (art). The day ended with the visit to the “Tivoli” theatre and restaurant, where a farewell party was held. Wojciechowski was enthusiastically welcomed by representatives of trade, culture, military authorities, workers, and above all, residents of the city and district. Especially the second visit received wide coverage in Poland, presenting Grudziądz as an organisationally, culturally and industrially developed city.