The Warsaw Uprising
I don't want to write about the history, there are lots of books and articles about The Warsaw Uprising available. This uprising is very controversial (was it needed or no?), so I'd prefer you to have your own opinion about it. I want to (and will) write a bit about the symbols and celebrations.I'd like to write it clearly. The Warsaw Uprising was in 1944 (01.08.-02.10.1944) and it's NOT the same with the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising (19.04.-16.05.1943) which is part of the Jewish Holocaust.
If you've already read about the Warsaw Uprising in my last post on August in Warsaw, you can continue to read more about remembering the Warsaw Uprising.
The Warsaw Uprising started at 17:00 on first August 1944. This time is co called Godzina W ("The W Hour"). To hounour the uprising and people who fought and died during that time, every year at 17:00 on 1st August, the whole city stops. Or should stop. The people are standing still, in a silence, for one minute. The car drivers will probably honk. If you're in Warsaw, you'll know the time, because of the loud sirens across the town.
Below, there are two films: the first one is taken on 1st August 2013, the second is a film about The W Hour by Beran Gürler, a Turkish guy that loves Poland.
Sadly there are people who can't stop even for one minute. Doesn't matter if somebody agrees with the decision to rebel or no, I think that they should stop and honour the people who died (civilians at least!) during The Warsaw Uprising. So, if you're in Warsaw on 1st August, please stop and pay respect.
Often, a symbol of Polska Walcząca (Fighting Poland) is used in celebrations. It's stylized P (like Polska) and W (Walcząca). The sign was often used during the Second World War and is sometimes associated also with The Warsaw Uprising (Powstanie Warszawskie in Polish). You could see it on the films.
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| The Warsaw Uprising Museum © Łeba, 2004, CC |
There are not only symbols, but also places related to the Warsaw Uprising. I'll mention some of them, letting you look for others, if if interested. Probably the best known is The Warsaw Uprising Museum (Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego) in Wola district. Despite "difficult topic" this museum is very popular with both Polish and foreign tourists. It's strong point is interactivity, multimedia (like audio memorials of people from that time), replicas and theme-oriented exhibition. Museum offers a shop with souvenirs and education materials. It's possible to get a live guide or audioguide. Audioguides (10 zł) come in 19 languages, including English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Indonesian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish.
Warsaw Uprising Monument (Pomnik Powstania Warszawskiego) is located in the Old Town area - on Plac Krasińskich. One part shows the evacuation of the Old Town and entering the canals (you can try that too in the Museum of Warsaw Uprising!) and the other people running out to fight.
Some of the insurgents and civilians are buried in Warsaw Insurgents Cemetery (Cmentarz Powstańców Warszawy) in Wola district. The address is: Wolska 174/176 and you can get off at the tram stop called Sowińskiego. Currently tramways number 8,10,26, 27 stop there.
If you want to learn more about the Warsaw Uprising, try also following websites:
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| The Warsaw Uprising Monument © PawełMM, 2008, CC |
Some of the insurgents and civilians are buried in Warsaw Insurgents Cemetery (Cmentarz Powstańców Warszawy) in Wola district. The address is: Wolska 174/176 and you can get off at the tram stop called Sowińskiego. Currently tramways number 8,10,26, 27 stop there.
If you want to learn more about the Warsaw Uprising, try also following websites:
Did you visit any of the places? Did you see by yourself the W hour? Share your feelings and opinions, in comments.
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