Poland Commemorates Victims of the Volhynia Massacre – National Remembrance Day on July 11
On July 11, the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Genocide committed by Ukrainian nationalists against citizens of the Second Polish Republic is observed throughout Poland. This important state holiday commemorates the tragic events of World War II, known as the Volhynia massacre. This day is a symbol of memory for the thousands of Poles who lost their lives in the former Eastern Borderlands.
The date of the observance refers to the so-called "Bloody Sunday" of July 11, 1943. It was the culmination of a wave of crimes when OUN and UPA units simultaneously attacked approximately 150 Polish settlements. These attacks were directed against civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, which has forever been inscribed in the painful history of the region.
As part of this year's commemorations, official ceremonies were organized in many Polish cities. In Warsaw, in front of the Monument to the Victims of Genocide, state officials and families of the victims laid wreaths and lit candles. During the speeches, the importance of preserving the memory of the past for future generations and the need for a dignified commemoration of all those murdered were emphasized.
The issue of the Volhynia massacre remains one of the most difficult topics in Polish-Ukrainian relations. For years, Poland has been seeking the possibility of conducting full exhumations and providing the victims with a Christian burial. Contemporary commemorations aim not only to pay tribute to the deceased but also to build a dialogue based on historical truth and mutual respect between the neighboring nations.