These two holidays are inseparable and have their own high rank in Poland. Remembrance Day coincides with the anniversary of Polish independence that the nation got from their invaders as a result of the end of the 1st World War. After historical turbulence and changes that followed at the end of the war in the three empires (Russia, Prussia/Germany and Austro-Hungary) that had partitioned Poland since 1772, Poland became an independent and sovereign country.
Laying a wreath funded by the stae officials at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, celebration of the Independence Day in Warsaw, Poland.
Renata Bee
Local vendors selling red-and-white national colours at the entry to Saski Park, Warsaw, Poland.
The main part of state celebrations were held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Saski Park in Warsaw where the President of Poland Bronislaw Komorowski and other state officials (MP’s, ministers, veterans, etc.) laid wrath commemorating those who died on the road to independence. The ceremony is always associated with the change of guards at the tomb and military parade that has its own flavour, especially when during the ceremony the salute of 21 shots is fired.
Historical horse cavalry from the times between the two world wars when riding the streets of Warsaw during the Independence Day, Poland.
Big part of this year’s celebration was the military parade of troops in their military uniforms that served in between the 1st and the 2nd World War. Both the field troops and cavalry mounting horses brought curiosity of many onlookers as the parade marched on Krolewska Street and progressed to Krakowskie Przedmiescie, very popular streets in the centre of the city.
Historical field troops from the times between the two world wars when marching the streets of Warsaw during the Independence Day, Poland.
The national holiday was the occasion to demonstrate patriotic feeling in its extreme and nationalistic form by a group that calls itself Mlodziez Wszechpolska (All-Polish Youth) that have been trying to influence many Poles by showing their own extreme tendencies and propagation their right wing extremist Roman Dmowski who lived in the time between the two world wars. They were accused of fascist tendencies by another group of demonstrators from Marsz Niepodleglosci (Independence March) and the two groups had to be separated by a buffer zone by the police in the centre of Warsaw.
All-Polish Youth controlled by the police on Plac Zamkowy (Castle Place) before clashing with the Independence March, Warsaw, Poland.
Apart from this incident that involved 29 detained people and one wounded policeman, the entire holiday was great occasion to remember those who died for now free and sovereign country. The centre of the capital city saw a very good turnout of people during a colder than usual day. The streets, stores and houses were decorated with red-and-white national colours.
Local vendor selling red-and-white national colours at Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street, Warsaw, Poland.
