The anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising is the minute erstwhile we remember the heroes of those days, their unique courage and dedication. It is besides an chance to consider what values are crucial to us and how they are up to date despite the passing of 80 years – says Rafał Trzaskowski, president of the capital. In an interview with “Polish Armed Forces” he talks about peculiar events this year commemorating rabbles.
Mr President, the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising is coming. What does this event mean for Warsaw and Warsaw?
Warsaw Uprising It's 1 of the foundations of our identity. It was a city hecatomb, Polish Thermopiles, due to the fact that not all battles are won. But the insurgent values: uncompromising, patriotism, courage and determination brought us freedom. The uprising was the demolition of the city, but then it was revived against the intentions of the occupier and his savagery calculated to erase Warsaw from the map.
These celebrations are always a peculiar time of reflection, memory and homage to the victims and all who fought for freedom and honor. This is the minute erstwhile we remember the heroes of those days, their unique courage and dedication. At the same time, it is an chance to consider what values are crucial to us and how they are unchanged and up-to-date despite the passing of 80 years. We pay tribute to the insurgents for the large sacrifice they made – they, their generation and that Warsaw. So that present we can live in a free and European city. It is besides a time erstwhile we feel pride in our capital and its history. At the same time, we show that Warsaw is an open, developing and building city of its future, not forgetting the past.
What will the main celebrations of the anniversary of the feast be this year?
The main programme of the ceremony begins at the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising, where we will meet the insurgents on 30 July during the gala of awarding them state awards and awards. In the following days, apart from commemorating events and places connected with the uprising, public and spiritual celebrations, concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions, as well as urban and field games, picnics and spectacles will be held. The full program can be followed at the Warsaw City Hall website. On 2 October we will celebrate this unique anniversary at the Warsaw Uprising Mound in the park The Storm Action under the symbol of the Fighting Poland.
Most events are organized by the capital city of Warsaw, but besides the Warsaw Uprising Museum, the Warsaw Museum and the home of Meetings with History. It is besides crucial to remember about district, environmental celebrations, and many private institutions are active in commemoration of insurgents. Many authoritative events, specified as the Field Mass on Krasiński Square on 31 July or the tribute to the “W” hr at the statue of Gloria Victis, take place thanks to the support and commitment of soldiers from the Warszawa Garrison Command.
Hundreds of volunteers and volunteers are active in the preparation and conduct of all ceremonies. I late met with a group that works at the MPW, and I am impressed by their enthusiasm. Everyone spends their free time working on a celebration. In turn, as part of our Workers' Voluntary Service, we have late packed peculiar baskets for insurgents. We bring them home straight packages of invitations, IDs, informants, but besides gifts and sweets. This is the 3rd edition of this action. Even those who can no longer attend the celebrations personally know that we remember them.
Are there peculiar or fresh points of celebration being prepared for the circular anniversary?
The anniversary of the Uprising will be celebrated highly solemnly, in many memorial places, which are almost 400 in Warsaw. We've besides anticipated any peculiar events, but I can't tell you the details yet. I am peculiarly pleased that we will be able, after a fewer years of break, to honor the Heroes of 1944 in an different place – the “Burza” Action Park on the beautifully renovated Warsaw Uprising Mound. This place has undergone a immense modernization and I am arrogant of what it looks like today.
Many insurgents will attend the celebrations?
The presence of insurgents and insurgents is most crucial to us. It is besides a peculiar tribute to the heroism and sacrifice of their fellow Members. A fewer days ago, I had the honour to personally welcome to Okęcie Mr Stanisław Staszewski "Kazik", who was the first of the insurgents surviving abroad to Warsaw to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the uprising. The anticipation of gathering the insurgents, listening to their memories and reflecting besides on the contemporary situation in Poland and in the world, this is always a immense experience. I appreciate these meetings very much, considering that time is inexorable. This is besides an invaluable experience especially for young people. Our heroes show the strength, integrity and values of 80 years ago: actual patriotism, the willingness to sacrifice life for freedom of homeland.
For the Lord, which of the moments of the celebration is peculiarly touching?
Every year, this experience is very exciting. Especially touching are 2 moments. The first is, of course, 5 p.m. – The hr “W” erstwhile the full city, the vibrant European capital, stops for a symbolic minute to celebrate the heroic rabble. The second minute is to ignite the Fire of Memory at the Warsaw Uprising Mound at sign of fighting Poland. In fresh years, during the modernization of this space, the ceremonies were moved to Dreszer Park, this year they will be held again on Mound. Its symbolism powerfully appeals to imagination, as it was built after the war from the rubble of destroyed Warsaw.
Even during the 50th or 60th anniversary of the uprising, we all believed that Europe had been freed from wars, and present we know that it has been different. All the more reason for our security, global alliances, so that the conflict does not affect our country to a greater extent. Warsaw is simply a arrogant city, very painfully experienced by history. Bearing in head the heroic scrapes and paying tribute to the fallen on our streets, we must at the same time do everything to guarantee that this never happens again.
