The Round Table is widely regarded as a cornerstone of modern Polish history.
It was at this table that opposition figures from the Solidarity movement negotiated with communist authorities, paving the way for semi-free elections and the peaceful collapse of the regime.
Szczepkowska slams Nawrocki for distorting Poland’s democratic history
In a pointed social media post, Szczepkowska accused Nawrocki of deliberately misrepresenting the legacy of the Round Table and of using emotionally charged rhetoric to discredit the heroes of Poland’s democratic transition.
She criticised the president for repeatedly referring to participants as “those who murdered,” arguing that this phrasing blurs the line between former oppressors and dissidents who spent years in prison fighting for freedom.
Szczepkowska also took issue with Nawrocki’s paraphrase of her iconic 1989 statement, describing it as inaccurate and misleading.
Dobry wieczór. Pytają mnie , czy odniosę się do mowy Nawrockiego przy demontażu okrągłego stołu. Jak się okazuje,...
Opublikowany przez Joannę Szczepkowską Czwartek, 18 grudnia 2025
The legendary actress emphasised that Poland’s post-communist reality - including the continued presence of former communists in public life - is the product of free elections and society’s democratic choices, not a failure of the Round Table process.
Round Table removal sparks wider debate on Poland’s politics
The artist framed the table’s removal as a symbolic attempt to rewrite history and distract from Poland’s current political challenges, including strained relations with the European Union and questions about the rule of law.
She accused Nawrocki of using anti-communist rhetoric as a performative tool, portraying himself as a fighter against the past while simultaneously undermining democratic norms.
For Szczepkowska, this act is far from ceremonial - it is a provocative gesture that erases the moral authority and sacrifices of those who fought for Poland’s freedom.
Nawrocki claims to fight post-communism while weakening democracy
Szczepkowska argued that if Nawrocki genuinely wished to confront Poland’s communist past, he should focus on restoring democratic standards and the separation of powers instead of dismantling historical symbols.
Concluding her statement, the actress advised the current Polish president, who had dared to reference her famous remark about the end of communism in his speech, to "take the presidential chair with him as well."
The historic Round Table, removed from the Presidential Palace during the term of President Nawrocki - who is backed by the right-wing populist Law and Justice (PiS) party - is set to be transfered to the Museum of Polish History. Photo: PAP/Albert Zawada
The Round Table, removed during Nawrocki’s presidency - though the decision to relocate it had been taken under his predecessor - is expected to be transferred to the Museum of Polish History.
For critics such as Szczepkowska, its removal from the Presidential Palace signals not the closing of a chapter on communism, but an ongoing struggle over the interpretation of Poland’s democratic origins and the trajectory of its present-day politics.
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Source: Facebook.com/Joanna Szczepkowska/X/@ipngovpl_eng