The scandal surrounding the Volyn celebrations. “We were denied an honorary company”

In a fewer days we celebrate the symmetric day of remembrance of Polish victims of Ukrainian genocide in Volyn and east Małopolska. Unfortunately, there was a scandal surrounding the celebration. He talks about it for us, president of the Kresowian Association from Kędzieżyna-Koźla, Witold Listowski.

Red.: “The scandal around the Volyn celebrations” – so you announced fresh events in connection with this year's anniversary of Ukrainian crime. What happened?

W.L.: For 12 years we have been organizing as an afterlife environment, celebrating the murdered Poles. The celebrations take place in Warsaw, at the grave of an unknown soldier, where we give speeches, and then head to the church for Holy Mass. Each time the Warsaw garrison delegated honorary companies of the Polish Army and the orchestra to our company. The setting for this event was so rich and worthy of thousands of our murdered countrymen.

Unfortunately, this year is different from the erstwhile year. At all step of the way, our leg is touched by absurd requirements and translated “the situation in Ukraine”. Already in February, we made a request to the command of the Warsaw garrison for the posting of an honorary company. We argued that this is simply a cyclical event, organized by us for the thirteenth time and the honorary company was always there. Unit commander – Brigadier General Tomasz Dominikowski did not agree to the participation of the honorary company, he did not delegate it. He explained the political situation. Instead, he instructed us to decision the celebrations to a much smaller place than the Unknown Soldier's Grave, Volynski Skwer. This square is located peripherally from the centre of the capital, there is not even area for an honorary company.

Red: Did another state authorities besides impede this year's celebration?

W.L. Yeah. For example, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki did not want to participate in the event, referring to his colleagues. However, as it turned out, no of them wanted to replace the Prime Minister. In turn, the Prime Minister's office founded 2 wreaths for the event. I was instructed to submit them to the Volyn square “on behalf of the Prime Minister”. It's unusual – there are so many government officials and not 1 of them wants to put together these crowns personally. They treat it like a hot potato that needs to be thrown distant from each other. I find this a scandal.

Invitation to a conference at the Museum of Independence

Red: What events have you planned this year for the anniversary of the genocide? Where can you meet the border associations?

W.L.: We will not take into account the pressures of the Prime Minister's Office and the commander of the Warsaw garrison. On July 9, we meet like all year at the Unknown Soldier's Tomb at 12 noon. The celebration with the speeches will begin around 12.20. After the speeches we will go to the close cathedral, where a mass for the murdered will be celebrated by the priest Tadeusz Isakowicz-Zaleski, patron of the border circles. Earlier on July 8th, we organize a popular-scientific conference at the Museum of independency entitled “The Right fact and Memory – No Revenge”. We cordially invitation Poles to both events.

Red: Thank you.

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