‘Long live!’ - such an enthusiastic call resounded in the streets of Chojnice on 6 August 1924 in honour of Polish President Stanisław Wojciechowski. The visit of the representative of the highest authority in Pomerania took the form of a national manifestation. The local population fervently emphasised their identity and the belonging of Pomerania to Poland. The result of over a month's preparation was a beautifully decorated town. The whole district took on festive robes. Green garlands, ribbons, flags, lanterns and additional lighting were hung on the houses. Impressive were the flower gates, of which more than 20 were set up in Chojnice. In Czersk, an impressive gate with a huge domed tower was built. The residents of Brus prepared 24 floral triumphal gates.

The entire coverage of the President's stay in Chojnice was provided by Dziennik Pomorski, which was full of praise for the truly royal welcome given to him by the residents of Chojnice.

At around 9 a.m., the president entered Chojnice along Towarowa and Dworcowa streets. In front of the town hall, Mayor Dr Alojzy Sobierajczyk welcomed the guest with an old Polish custom - bread and salt and the words: The town of Chojnice has today donned festive robes as an expression of deep and joyful gratitude for the high honour of having today the Lord President of the Republic of Poland as a guest in its town (Journal of Laws No. 183/R4 of 08.08.1924). In the Town Hall, Stanisław Wojciechowski met with the councillors, made an entry in the town's commemorative book, and then attended a solemn Holy Mass celebrated in the Gymnasium Church by the Reverend Bolesław Makowski. The church service was combined with the jubilee of the Chojnice Shooting Fraternity, which celebrated the 450th anniversary of the first Polish privilege granted to the Fraternity by King Casimir Jagiellon. One of the elements of the ceremony was the consecration of the Brotherhood's banner. A podium was set up in the market square, where the president received the parade. The festive mood was shared by all, not spoilt by a slight rain and cloudy weather (Journal of Laws No. 183/R4 of 08.08.1924).

Another point of Stanisław Wojciechowski's visit was a short meeting with Chojnice starost Jan Popiel, followed by a drive to Brusy, Wiele and Czersk. There, too, the organisers prepared with great care for the arrival of the distinguished guest. In Brusy, 24 triumphal gates were set up; in his manor house in Wielkie Chełmy, Chamberlain Stanisław Sikorski treated the President to breakfast and provided a short rest. In Wiele, Father Józef Szydzik treated the president to coffee and gave him a tour of the Wielew Calvary, while in Czersk - festively decorated - the daughter of the mayor of Ziętara presented the guest with a bouquet of flowers with the dedication: ‘Long live our dear Mr President!’. Czersk presented its factory of gilded slats and frames, and Mayor Ziętara emphasised that it is one of the leading woodworking factories in the area, which provides a living and work for multitudes of workers. General admiration was shown for the gate of the Insurgents and Warriors Society, built to a design by Mr Kruczkowski, employed at the Wood Industry Company. It should be noted that it is a twenty-metre high gate with a huge dome-shaped tower, from which the tubes of fortress cannons lean menacingly out. On this tower stood several firemen, displaying their weapons. One had the impression that Czersk was a menacing fortress, so impressive was this gate. It had been painstakingly worked on for a week. A huge crown was erected in front of the church, for which about 200 metres of garland was needed,’ reads “Dziennik Pomorski” No. 186/R4 of 12.08.1924.

The visit to the Chojnice area ended with a festive dinner in Chojnice in the auditorium of the Common School, attended by around 150 people. At the end, a farewell banquet was still held in the starost's building and before midnight President Stanisław Wojciechowski left Chojnice.

‘Dziennik Pomorski’ in issue 187/R4 of. 13.08.1924 summarises that the stay of Polish President Stanisław Wojciechowski in Pomerania was marked by the easing of national oppositions in the western borderlands of the Republic. In his speeches, the President also encouraged citizens of non-Polish nationality to act in concert and to be loyal to Poland. He also stressed the need for a healthy economic and cultural policy in the country.

Sources:

‘History of Chojnice’, ed. Ostrowski K., 2nd edition, Chojnice 2010, pp. 419 - 420;

‘Dziennik Pomorski’ no. 162/R4 dated 15.07.1924;

‘Dziennik Pomorski’ No. 163/R4 dated 16.07.1924;

‘Dziennik Pomorski’ No. 175/R4 of 30.07.1924;

‘Dziennik Pomorski’ No. 180/R4 of 05.08.1924;

‘Dziennik Pomorski’ No. 183/R4 of 08.08.1924;

‘Dziennik Pomorski’ No. 186/R4 of 12.08.1924;

‘Dziennik Pomorski’ No. 187/R4 of 13.08.1924.