The lack of involvement of key politicians in the 81st anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising surprised many Poles. Do state elites ignore such an important event for society?
Where were the most important politicians of the government?
Among those who did not speak or appear publicly at the anniversary celebrations were: Donald Tusk (premier), Radosław Sikorski (minister of foreign affairs), Adam Szpieczka (counsel of government) and Barbara Nowack (minister of education). In social media, it is vain to look for their posts in connection with the celebrations, nor was there a presence at any of the main events commemorating the Uprising.
Why is it important?
The Warsaw Uprising is synonymous with Polish heroism and the struggle for freedom – not only for the generation of participants, but also for contemporary Poland. Lack of response from the most important representatives of the government many considered a lack of respect for history and national memory.
"W" hour without ruling elite
On 1 August at 5:00 p.m. Warsaw stopped – sirens shouted, thousands of people passed through the streets of the city.
- President Andrzej Duda and the president-elect Karol Nawrocki were present during the ceremony, together paying tribute to the heroes.
- President of Warsaw Rafał Trzaskowski also participated in the celebrations and gave a lofty speech, highlighting the value of historical memory for future generations.
Who really honored the insurgents?
It should be noted that:
- Rafał Trzaskowski was one of the few politicians of the ruling camp present at the ceremony and did not avoid difficult topics related to the memory of the uprising.
- Hundreds of thousands of Poles throughout the country celebrated the "W" hour – not only in Warsaw – paying tribute to the fallen and expressing their commitment to history.
Exceptional initiative outside the country
The Confederacy, with Sławomir Mentzen at the head, organized an action in Berlin, reminding the Germans about 200 thousand victims and destroyed Warsaw during the uprising – the initiative echoed widely and showed that historical memory has an international dimension as well..
Why do politicians need historical memory?
The lack of gestures by Donald Tusk, Adam Sz Trapka, Radosław Sikorski or Barbara Nowacka on such a symbolic day raises questions about the priorities of the modern political class. Absence at the celebrations can be compared to a student who does not appear on the most important exam – even if he has a good justification, for teachers and observers there remains a taste.
What happens to political memory?
The responsibility for shaping national memory lies primarily with those who influence young generations and the shape of society – i.e. the leaders of the state. Escape from difficult topics does not build authority. An example of Rafał Trzaskowski and Presidents Andrzej Duda and Karol Nawrocki shows that it is worth being close to history – not only in important moments, but also in everyday practice.
When politicians remain silent, history begins to speak alone. But are you sure those who should always listen?
Donald Tusk
Radosław Sikorski
Rafał Trzaskowski
Karol Nawrocki
Adam Trap
Andrzej Duda
Barbara Nowacka
