President Lech Kaczynski and his wife Maria
I have just returned from a memorial mass for Polish President Kaczynski and the other 96 Polish elite who died in a plane crash in Smolensk, Russia last Saturday.
- For those of you who don’t know, the Polish President and other senior public figures, including Mr. Kaczorowski the last President of Poland in exile, were on their way to mark the 70th anniversary of Katyn.
- This was the massacre of thousands of Poles by Soviet forces during WWII. Ironically, the President’s plane then crashed in the very same woods.
As usual, the typical conspiracy theorists have latched onto this story like blood thirsty leeches but it’s all too easy to instantly pin blame on the enemy. Perhaps and as speculated so far, it was simply a tragic yet undeniably foolish mistake on behalf of the pilot? The death of Princess Diana quickly springs to mind. Conspiracy versus accident. I guess everybody loves a good conspiracy theory though. It almost seems easier in a way.
As a Pole myself, it almost feels like there has been a death in the family. Polish and even English friends steadily approach me with their thoughts and sympathies. Their genuine concern is heartwarming. Some even express how it troubles them more than if England’s elite had perished; “If Gordon Brown died it would be an excuse to go to the pub!” This is when the Poles’ sense of solidarity is comforting. Like with all of Poland’s tragedies, it has strengthened bonds among Poles even further. Candles have been lit. Flowers placed. Memorials made and memoirs signed. Like we have before, we will once again fight our way through this catastrophe. It is in our blood.
Capital Warsaw mourns
As Poland’s national week of mourning comes to an end on Sunday, I still don’t know how to feel about this tragic event in Polish history. Raised as a third generation Pole but born in England, I can’t help but sometimes feel a sense of split national identity. It is true to say that when in England I feel more Polish but in Poland more English. Although admittedly shocked and deeply moved by this major tragedy it saddens me more to watch those around me, both public and personal, suffer as a consequence.
Plastered all over UK news when it happened early Saturday (10th April), the hype has already seemingly calmed down. My mum however is outraged because she feels it hadn’t been covered enough in England. ‘The Queen pays tribute, how is that relevant?!’ she snaps bitterly whilst I try to explain the journalistic convention of agenda setting and relevance to her. However, bred and raised a Pole her entire life, her compassion and unwavering loyalty are hardly questionable. I just know that this will live on a long time in the hearts of the Polish people. Something like this is not easily forgotten, especially considering Poland’s long and turbulent history.
This sense of honor and tribute is certainly reflected in my household. TV Polonia now continually plays in the background whilst I go about my daily routines. It has almost become a soundtrack to my life. I am hardly surprised, when I come downstairs in the morning and go to bed at night, to see my mum devotedly glued to the TV screen. Although monotonous, it is somehow admirable – I am proud to be part of such a strong-willed, united nation. It is certainly rare to find in this current climate.
President Kaczynski and his wife’s funeral is to be held this Sunday 18th April 2010 in Krakow, Poland.
For more extensive coverage or recent updates visit the BBC news pages, The Guardian or Times Online.
You can also visit the Polish Embassy in London.
Dominika Eureka 