People gathered in front of the Presidential Palace on Krakowskie Przedmieście in Warsaw to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the Smolensk catastrophe. A solemn Appeal of Remembrance was read, in which the victims of the tragedy were remembered and honoured.
The gathering was part of the official celebrations of the tragedy and served as a reminder of the tragic event.
Poland commemorates Smolensk catastrophe on Sunday
On Sunday, 16 April, Poland commemorated the 13th anniversary of the Smolensk catastrophe, which occurred on 10 April 2010. The tragedy claimed the lives of 96 people, including the President of the Republic of Poland, Lech Kaczyński, and his wife, Maria Kaczyńska. In light of the second day of Easter, the main commemorations of the anniversary were moved to Sunday 16 April.
A solemn ceremony was held in front of the Presidential Palace in Warsaw to commemorate the victims of the Smolensk tragedy. A photo of the late President Lech Kaczyński and his wife Maria was placed in front of the Palace, surrounded by white and red flags.
Polish politicians attend commemoration ceremony
A cross made of candles was arranged on the pavement, and the ceremony began with the national anthem, accompanied by a military escort. Afterwards, the victims’ names were read out and a prayer was said. Participants of the ceremony laid flowers in front of the plaques commemorating the victims, who perished in the crash on 10 April 2010.
The commemoration ceremony was attended by, among others, Jarosław Kaczyński, President of the Law and Justice party, Elżbieta Witek, Speaker of the Sejm, Marlena Maląg, Minister for Family and Social Policy, Editor-in-chef of ‘Gazeta Polska’ and ‘Gazeta Polska Codziennie’ Tomasz Sakiewicz and representatives of the families of the Smolensk catastrophe. All present paid their respects to those who were lost in the tragedy.
On 10 April 2010, 96 people died in the Tu-154 plane crash near Smolensk, including President Lech Kaczyński and his wife Maria, the top commanders of the Polish Army and the last Polish President in exile Ryszard Kaczorowski. The Polish delegation was heading for ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre.