Stadion Dziesieciolecia
Encyclopedia
10th-Anniversary Stadium , opened in 1955, was for decades the largest stadium
in Warsaw
, and one of the largest in Poland
. Under the Polish People's Republic
, it was one of the most advertised construction sites and a principal venue for Party and state festivities. In the 1980s the stadium became dilapidated, as no funds could be found to refurbish it. After 1989 it was used mainly as a bazaar
called Jarmark Europa, becoming famous as the place to buy a whole range of illegal goods, most notably pirated software and media. Its demolition began in September 2008, and the new National Stadium
is constructed in its place to serve as one of the venues for Euro 2012.
and later the same year the construction was started. The stadium was constructed mostly with rubble from buildings destroyed during the Warsaw Uprising
of 1944.
The project involved the construction of an open air oval-shaped Olympic stadium: it contains a football
pitch and a 400-metre racing track. Theoretically the terraces with wooden benches provided seats for 71,008 people, but during the biggest festivals organised there it accommodated more than 100,000 spectators. In addition, the stadium was equipped with a practice field, a small sports dome, 900 parking spaces and was surrounded by a park. The stadium was also connected to a nearby bus station and a railway station opened specifically for the transport of spectators.
Soon after its opening, it became Poland's national stadium
. It housed most important international football matches and athletics competitions, as well as communist party galas, concerts, and commemorative festivals. In addition, it served as the final lap of the Peace Race. In 1968, it was the site of Ryszard Siwiec
's self-immolation
in protest at the invasion of Czechoslovakia
during a propaganda festival
.
In 1983, due to technical problems, the stadium was abandoned. In 1989 it was rented by the City of Warsaw to a company that turned the stadium into an outdoor market known as Jarmark Europa, which soon became Europe's largest open-air market. With over 5000 traders (and many more unregistered; a large number of traders are from other countries) it was the biggest facility of its kind in Poland. Official figures state an annual turnover of 500 million zloty, which is generally believed to be an underestimate.
The top tier of the market was full of vendors of such items as clothing, souvenirs, and pirated CDs and movies. Police say the market was the main selling point for black market goods in the country. Between 1995 and 2001 more than 25,000 traders were prosecuted, while approximately 10 million pirated CDs and video tapes were confiscated. It is commonly believed that this was simply the tip of the iceberg. Amongst the English-speaking community in Warsaw the stadium is often referred to as the "Russian market".
The black market aspect of the stadium, with all its shady dealings, illegal products, and in particular the weapons, has made it into mainstream media of which one example is the suspense novel by Jack King
: The Fifth Internationale.
The old stadium is presently being demolished to prepare for the construction of the new National Stadium
accommodating 55,000 spectators. It is to be built during 2009-2011, and it is to be one of the stadiums hosting the Euro 2012. Adjoining the new stadium there are to be erected the following structures: a 15,000-seat indoor arena
, a new railway station "Warszawa Stadion", a modern hotel
, a covered Olympic swimming pool with seats for 4,000 spectators, a meeting hall and a metro
station "Stadion" on a yet-to-be built subway
line. During the European Championship itself the following matches are to be played at the stadium: the opening match, group matches, a quarterfinal and a semifinal.
Stadion Dziesięciolecia and its grounds are the property of the Government of Poland, and the City of Warsaw has declared that for this reason it would be illegal for the city to financially participate in the project, which is to be financed by the national government.
The building of the National Stadium was delayed by disputes with vendors who protested against orders to leave the 10th-Anniversary Stadium.
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Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
, and one of the largest in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. Under the Polish People's Republic
People's Republic of Poland
The People's Republic of Poland was the official name of Poland from 1952 to 1990. Although the Soviet Union took control of the country immediately after the liberation from Nazi Germany in 1944, the name of the state was not changed until eight years later...
, it was one of the most advertised construction sites and a principal venue for Party and state festivities. In the 1980s the stadium became dilapidated, as no funds could be found to refurbish it. After 1989 it was used mainly as a bazaar
Bazaar
A bazaar , Cypriot Greek: pantopoula) is a permanent merchandising area, marketplace, or street of shops where goods and services are exchanged or sold. The term is sometimes also used to refer to the "network of merchants, bankers and craftsmen" who work that area...
called Jarmark Europa, becoming famous as the place to buy a whole range of illegal goods, most notably pirated software and media. Its demolition began in September 2008, and the new National Stadium
National Stadium (Warsaw)
The National Stadium football stadium under construction in Warsaw, Poland, on the site of the former stadium Stadion Dziesięciolecia.The new stadium will have a seating capacity of 58,145. Its construction started in 2008 and is to finish in November 2011...
is constructed in its place to serve as one of the venues for Euro 2012.
History
In 1953 the Association of Polish Architects held an open contest for the project of an "Olympic Stadium for the city of Warsaw". It was won by the team led by Jerzy Hryniewiecki, Zbigniew Ihnatowicz, and Jerzy SołtanJerzy Soltan
Jerzy Sołtan Born on March 6, 1913 in Prezma , died September 16, 2005 in Cambridge, MA; was a Polish architect who worked with Le Corbusier and was the Robinson, Jr., Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design , where he taught from 1959 until his...
and later the same year the construction was started. The stadium was constructed mostly with rubble from buildings destroyed during the Warsaw Uprising
Warsaw Uprising
The Warsaw Uprising was a major World War II operation by the Polish resistance Home Army , to liberate Warsaw from Nazi Germany. The rebellion was timed to coincide with the Soviet Union's Red Army approaching the eastern suburbs of the city and the retreat of German forces...
of 1944.
The project involved the construction of an open air oval-shaped Olympic stadium: it contains a football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
pitch and a 400-metre racing track. Theoretically the terraces with wooden benches provided seats for 71,008 people, but during the biggest festivals organised there it accommodated more than 100,000 spectators. In addition, the stadium was equipped with a practice field, a small sports dome, 900 parking spaces and was surrounded by a park. The stadium was also connected to a nearby bus station and a railway station opened specifically for the transport of spectators.
Soon after its opening, it became Poland's national stadium
National stadium
Many countries have a national football stadium, which typically serves as the primary or exclusive home for one or more of a country's national representative sports teams. The term is most often used in reference to an association football stadium. Usually, a national stadium will be in or very...
. It housed most important international football matches and athletics competitions, as well as communist party galas, concerts, and commemorative festivals. In addition, it served as the final lap of the Peace Race. In 1968, it was the site of Ryszard Siwiec
Ryszard Siwiec
Ryszard Siwiec was a Polish accountant, teacher and former Home Army soldier who was the first person to commit suicide by self-immolation in protest against the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia.- Self-Immolation :...
's self-immolation
Self-immolation
Self-immolation refers to setting oneself on fire, often as a form of protest or for the purposes of martyrdom or suicide. It has centuries-long traditions in some cultures, while in modern times it has become a type of radical political protest...
in protest at the invasion of Czechoslovakia
Prague Spring
The Prague Spring was a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during the era of its domination by the Soviet Union after World War II...
during a propaganda festival
Harvest festival
A Harvest Festival is an annual celebration which occurs around the time of the main harvest of a given region. Given the differences in climate and crops around the world, harvest festivals can be found at various times throughout the world...
.
In 1983, due to technical problems, the stadium was abandoned. In 1989 it was rented by the City of Warsaw to a company that turned the stadium into an outdoor market known as Jarmark Europa, which soon became Europe's largest open-air market. With over 5000 traders (and many more unregistered; a large number of traders are from other countries) it was the biggest facility of its kind in Poland. Official figures state an annual turnover of 500 million zloty, which is generally believed to be an underestimate.
The top tier of the market was full of vendors of such items as clothing, souvenirs, and pirated CDs and movies. Police say the market was the main selling point for black market goods in the country. Between 1995 and 2001 more than 25,000 traders were prosecuted, while approximately 10 million pirated CDs and video tapes were confiscated. It is commonly believed that this was simply the tip of the iceberg. Amongst the English-speaking community in Warsaw the stadium is often referred to as the "Russian market".
The black market aspect of the stadium, with all its shady dealings, illegal products, and in particular the weapons, has made it into mainstream media of which one example is the suspense novel by Jack King
Jack King (author)
Jack King is a pseudonym for an author of spy thrillers. The author claims to have been a former top-secret government courier, who was privy to all the ins and outs of covert maneuvering on a global scale.-Bibliography:...
: The Fifth Internationale.
Future plans
National Stadium (Warsaw)
The National Stadium football stadium under construction in Warsaw, Poland, on the site of the former stadium Stadion Dziesięciolecia.The new stadium will have a seating capacity of 58,145. Its construction started in 2008 and is to finish in November 2011...
accommodating 55,000 spectators. It is to be built during 2009-2011, and it is to be one of the stadiums hosting the Euro 2012. Adjoining the new stadium there are to be erected the following structures: a 15,000-seat indoor arena
Arena
An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the...
, a new railway station "Warszawa Stadion", a modern hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
, a covered Olympic swimming pool with seats for 4,000 spectators, a meeting hall and a metro
Warsaw Metro
The Warsaw Metro is a rapid transit system serving the city of Warsaw, the capital of Poland. It consists of a single north-south line that links central Warsaw with its densely populated northern and southern suburbs. The first section was opened in 1995, then gradually extended until it...
station "Stadion" on a yet-to-be built subway
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
line. During the European Championship itself the following matches are to be played at the stadium: the opening match, group matches, a quarterfinal and a semifinal.
Stadion Dziesięciolecia and its grounds are the property of the Government of Poland, and the City of Warsaw has declared that for this reason it would be illegal for the city to financially participate in the project, which is to be financed by the national government.
The building of the National Stadium was delayed by disputes with vendors who protested against orders to leave the 10th-Anniversary Stadium.
External links
Jarmark Europa in the WprostWprost
Wprost is a weekly newsmagazine in Poland. It was founded on December 5, 1982 as a regional magazine in Greater Poland, but since 1989 it has been distributed nationwide. The editorial office is currently located in Warsaw. Wprost is an opinion weekly focused on politics and society. Marek Król is...
weekly magazine