Continuity of Polish culture and determining Polish identity were the main topics of a debate entitled “The place of humanities in Polish modern culture” in Warsaw. Polish Radio reports.

Held at the Belweder Palace in Warsaw, the debate opened a series of meetings devoted to Polish culture in preparation for large-scale celebrations marking the centenary of Polish independence in 2018.

Presidential advisor Professor Andrzej Waśko from the Jagiellonian University stressed the importance of humanities for the development of sociopolitical life.

“Humanities – in the broad sense: knowledge of history, a grasp of dialectics, the ability to reason – is vital to maintaining national unity and identity, is indispensable for the functioning of an independent state and democracy,” he said.