Central Commemorations of the 86th Anniversary of the Katyn Massacre
On 12 April 2026, the central commemorations marking the 86th anniversary of the Katyn massacre were held at the Parade Ground of the Katyn Museum in Warsaw.
The ceremony began with an open-air Holy Mass offered for the victims of the Katyn massacre. Guests were welcomed by Prof. Bogusław Pacek, Director of the Polish Army Museum, on behalf of himself and the co-organisers: the Head of the Office for Veterans and Victims of Repression, Minister Lech Parell, and the Director of the Katyn Museum, Sebastian Karwat.
The official proceedings commenced with the Polish national anthem, followed by commemorative speeches.
A letter from the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, addressed to the participants was read by Secretary of State Grzegorz Karpiński. The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of preserving the truth about the Katyn massacre, paid tribute to the families of the victims, and highlighted the need for a firm response to acts of vandalism against memorial sites and attempts to distort history. He also stressed that it is the responsibility of the present generation to build a strong and united state founded on responsibility, cooperation, and shared values.
A letter from the Minister of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, was read by Secretary of State Paweł Zalewski. The Minister recalled the victims of the Katyn massacre and underlined the duty to uphold remembrance, respect, and truth about those who gave their lives for their homeland.
A particularly significant address was delivered by Izabella Sariusz-Skąpska, President of the Federation of Katyn Families. She emphasised the invaluable importance of preserving the memory of the victims and appealed for its protection, drawing attention to concerning attempts at its commercialisation. Her words served as a powerful reminder that historical memory requires shared care and responsibility. Her address is available in Polish and in English at links.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of state institutions, academic and research communities, as well as cultural institutions, including museum directors from across Poland.
Representatives of non-governmental organisations dedicated to preserving the memory of the victims of the Katyn massacre were also present. A large number of young people participated in the event, including scouts, school students, and teachers, highlighting the importance of passing on historical awareness to future generations.
A particularly moving moment was the Roll Call of Remembrance, accompanied by a ceremonial gun salute in honour of the murdered victims. The ceremony was further enhanced by a performance of the “Camp Prayer” by the Representative Orchestra of the Polish Armed Forces and the choir of the Representative Artistic Ensemble of the Polish Armed Forces.
The commemorations concluded with the laying of wreaths at the Katyn Epitaph and the opening of an exhibition featuring Jan Lebenstein’s painting “Totemic Figure No. 107” (1961), an artistic interpretation of one of the most tragic events in Polish history — the Katyn massacre.
We thank all participants for attending the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Katyn Massacre.
