On Wednesday, November 11, Kraków marks Poland’s National Independence Day in a limited form – it is the last day of the city’s mourning period following Saturday’s attack in the Main Market Square. The procession and parade have been cancelled, among other events; a Mass will be held at Wawel and ceremonies will take place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Programme of Celebrations in Kraków
The official ceremonies are organised by the Małopolska Voivode Krzysztof Jan Klęczar. Before 10 a.m., flowers will be laid at the Monument to Soldiers of the Polish Underground State at Powiśle and at the Katyń Cross in Father Adam Studziński Square.
At 10 a.m. in Wawel Cathedral, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kraków Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś will celebrate a Mass for the homeland. Afterwards, participants will walk individually to Jan Matejko Square – there will be no organised procession.
The main ceremonies will begin at 12 noon in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The programme includes: the report of the honour guard, the raising of the national flag and the playing of the anthem, a speech by the Voivode, a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the attack, and the silent laying of wreaths and bouquets.
What Will Not Take Place
The city announced that, in connection with the mourning, all events organised by the Kraków City Hall, municipal units and companies have been cancelled. The traditional patriotic procession, the parade of uniformed services’ vehicles and mounted cavalry, the patriotic picnic by the Barbican and the refreshments after the ceremonies have been dropped. According to the updated plan, there will also be no changing of the guard, memorial roll call or honorary salute.
The Kraków Singing Lesson in the Main Market Square has also been cancelled. The Kraków Independence Run is taking place in a virtual format – it can be completed individually from November 8 to 14.
National Mourning and Visit by the Marshal of the Sejm
National mourning was observed on November 8 and 9, while the city mourning in Kraków lasts until Wednesday inclusive. Marshal of the Sejm Włodzimierz Czarzasty is expected to visit Kraków to pay tribute to the victims of the attack and lay a wreath on the grave of Ignacy Daszyński.
Transport, Parking, Wawel
The city has announced that buses and trams are running according to holiday timetables, with no additional changes within Kraków. The Patriotic Tram will not run. In the Paid Parking Zone, no fees will be charged on November 11.
At Wawel, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., selected exhibitions (the second floor and the Armoury) can be visited free of charge with online tickets; the ticket offices will be closed. In the evening, the Father Bernatek Footbridge and the Tauron Arena Kraków will be illuminated in the white and red colours.
In other towns of the Małopolska region, local government ceremonies – masses, flower laying and events at monuments – are for the most part taking place according to earlier programmes.
