July 11: National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Genocide in Volhynia
On July 11, Poland observes the National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Genocide committed by Ukrainian nationalists from the OUN and UPA organizations. This is an important event in the Polish calendar, aimed at commemorating the tragic events of the Second World War.
This date is not accidental. It refers to the so-called "Bloody Sunday," which took place on July 11, 1943. On that day, a coordinated attack on Polish villages in Volhynia occurred, marking the culmination of mass crimes committed against the civilian population in that region.
The establishment of this day as a national holiday by the Sejm in 2016 was intended to pay tribute to the victims and preserve the memory of these events for future generations. Every year, ceremonies are organized in many Polish cities, during which flowers are laid at monuments and holy masses are held for the souls of the murdered.
These commemorations are an important element of Polish historical policy. They serve as a reminder of a difficult past and the significance of historical dialogue between Poland and Ukraine, while simultaneously emphasizing the necessity of remembering the innocent people who lost their lives during the conflict in the Eastern Borderlands.