Eight years ago the representatives of the Republic of Poland led by President Lech Kaczynski and his wife died at Smolensk while fulfilling their duties towards the Homeland. On the day before the Feast of Divine Mercy Poland lost - as it was written in the Epitaph of Smolensk - "the guardians of sources and memory burdened with the fate of the Homeland". The day of 10 April became a caesura in the newest history of Poland, for all generations, a symbol of another national tragedy suffered in the East.
The works and ideas of President Lech Kaczynski were left unfinished, and we were overwhelmed with a great collective sadness that they died in exile, flying to remind us of our past, to express the truth and remembrance.
Today it is our duty to give expression to the truth and memory of their lives and their deaths. For the sake of our Homeland, for the next generations and in the name of God we must not forget.
We hoped then, in 2010, that out of this widespread national mourning a political community would emerge, but these were dreams that did not come true. The great collective cry for community, for a sense of dignity protected by the state was replaced by a fight for truth against slanderers and the possibility of commemorating the late President, his wife and all the victims of this tragedy. From our collective experience emerging from the Smolensk tragedy emerged a strong conviction that our independent and sovereign state is important, without it we are alone, we are all responsible for it and our duty is to serve the Republic.
Marek Kuchciński
The Speaker of the Sejm Marek Kuchcinski took part in state ceremonies paying tribute to the victims of the Smolensk disaster.
The Speakers of the Sejm and Senate laid flowers under the plaque dedicated to the Members of Parliament and Senators who tragically died 8 years ago on their way to Katyn
A tribute to the Speaker of the 3rd Sejm Maciej Płażyński
Marshals laid flowers at the plaque commemorating President Lech Kaczyński
Homage in the Pantheon of Great Poles in the Temple of Divine Providence to the last President of the Republic of Poland in exile Ryszard Kaczorowski
Mass for the intention of the victims of the Smolensk catastrophe in the Seminary Church at Krakowskie Przedmiescie: Let us pray for the Holy Church so that it becomes a clear sign of mercy and attracts people to God, so that they are able to preserve their Polish and Christian identity and the Cross is surrounded by the highest respect. We beseech Thee
Presidential Palace
Powązki, Military Cemetery: tribute to the victims of the Smolensk catastrophe paid by Law and Justice
Pilsudski Square: Unveiling of the Monument to the Victims of the Smolensk Catastrophe
photo: Krzysztof Białoskórski, Paweł Kula, Rafał Zambrzycki/ Chancellery of the Sejm
