( CNN ) -- It is 20 years since Poland 's Solidarity movement defeated the Communist Party in an historic election that prompted the fall of communism across central and eastern Europe . Solidarity leader Lech Walesa takes the oath in front of Poland 's National Assembly on December 22 , 1990 . CNN International marks this significant anniversary with `` The New Poland , '' a week of programming examining the transformation of Poland from 1989 to where it sits today on the world stage . The combination of daily live programming and special reports from CNN correspondents in cities across Poland culminates June 4 with `` Autumn of Change , an in-depth documentary that takes a retrospective look at the events leading up to the election exactly 20 years ago . Reflecting the tumultuous year of 1989 , which changed Europe forever , `` Autumn of Change '' will mix live programming and documentary programming , unforgettable historical images with interviews past and present , and a huge online audience initiative through Poland , Hungary , Germany , the former Czechoslovakia , Bulgaria and Romania , in a comprehensive narrative of events that have helped to shape the Europe of today . `` CNN 's combination of historic footage , comprehensive reporting and access to Poland 's key figures puts us in an unparalleled position to set the scene for how Poland was the catalyst for the Europe of today , '' said Mike McCarthy , vice president of coverage and feature programming for CNN International . `` In step with the anniversaries of the events themselves , CNN will invite viewers to take part in our ambitious account of how Europe has changed over the last 20 years and what the future may hold . '' About the programming : . Just eight months after reporting from Poland for the week-long `` Eye on Poland '' special , Fionnuala Sweeney returns to the country to anchor the network 's live coverage for `` The New Poland . '' She will report on the various commemoration and celebration ceremonies throughout the week from cities across Poland including Warsaw , Krakow and Gdansk . In addition to Sweeney 's live reports , CNN correspondent Frederik Pleitgen will take viewers inside the Poland of today looking at the political , cultural , social and economic changes that have taken place in the past 20 years . The programs include : . -- Gdansk Today : CNN explores the city of Gdansk , the birthplace of the Solidarity movement . We visit the main shipyard and spend the day with a foreman who has been working there for more than 30 years . He talks about the transformation since Solidarity was born and the challenges the shipyards face three decades on . Finally , CNN heads out to sea with a polish yacht maker and finds out how they are dealing with the economic crisis . -- Catholicism in Poland : CNN looks at the Catholic Church in Poland and the challenges it faces . We visit Religia TV , a new project that aims to attract Catholics as well as viewers from other religions . -- Business in Poland : Solidarity transformed Poland from a communist state into a capitalist economy eventually capable of becoming a democratic member of the EU . During the last 20 years , its economy developed at a thriving pace , but even today there are remnants of the old system . CNN speaks to a family-run business on the local economy . We also visit Poland 's biggest copper mining and refining company . We find out how the global market place is impacting the global economy and Polish business . -- Polish Cuisine : CNN speaks to Krakow 's top celebrity chef and historian Robert Maklowicz about Polish cuisine and the recent trend to return to its roots . -- Poland 's Film School : CNN visits Poland 's largest film production Centrex , the National Film , Television and Theatre School in Lodz , and finds out what makes this school so unique . About the documentary : By combining narratives from key players within the Solidarity movement , the Communist leadership , CNN reporters who covered the events and Polish civilians who lived through it all , Autumn of Change charts the individuals , relationships and astonishing chain of events that shook eastern Europe to its foundations . About the online coverage : CNN 's television coverage will be complemented by a full interactive companion site . This special site will feature a number of pieces that reflect the cultural influence of this movement as well as narratives from some of the major figures involved in the process . Via iReport.com , CNN will also encourage viewers and users from Poland and elsewhere to submit content -- photos , videos and comments -- to illustrate personal experiences . Whether a part of this revolutionary period or not , CNN wants to know how these pivotal events affected them .
20 years since Poland 's Solidarity movement defeated the Communist Party . The New Poland is a week of programming examining the transformation of Poland . Culminates in Autumn of Change , a look at the events that led to the election . Fionnuala Sweeney will anchor CNN 's live coverage from Poland .