Polish Armed Forces Day ‘Poland SAFE – A Safe Poland’ at the Katyn Museum
On 15 August, Poland celebrated Polish Armed Forces Day, marking the 106th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw. On this occasion, a ceremonial military parade was held in Warsaw, showcasing the Polish Armed Forces’ most advanced land and air equipment, as well as the capabilities of military cooperation among Allied forces. On this special day, events organised by the Polish Army Museum and its branches, including the Katyn Museum, took place in the immediate vicinity of the official ceremonies and military parade along Warsaw’s Vistula Boulevards.
Polish Armed Forces Day is an opportunity not only to showcase the country’s contemporary defence capabilities, but also to commemorate those who fought for Poland’s independence and gave their lives in its defence. The memory of their service and sacrifice forms an important part of the heritage that today’s Polish Armed Forces inherit and continue to develop. Strong, modern and well-prepared armed forces, drawing on the experience of previous generations and preserving the traditions of the Polish military, are one of the foundations of national security. This security enables future generations to grow up in a stable and safe Europe, pursue their interests and passions, and look to the future with confidence.
The Polish Army Museum and its branches prepared a programme of events devoted to the history and traditions of the Polish military. At the Katyn Museum, the celebrations had a particularly strong intergenerational character.
One of the events was a postcrossing meeting, bringing together enthusiasts of postcards, traditional correspondence and philately. To mark Polish Armed Forces Day, Poczta Polska prepared a commemorative postcard, a special postmark and a postage stamp dedicated to General Tadeusz Rozwadowski, one of the distinguished commanders of the Battle of Warsaw. The stamp was officially issued on 15 August, with its launch taking place during the postcrossing meeting. Participants were able to have their postcards stamped with the special commemorative postmark and send them to recipients around the world.
To mark the occasion, the Katyn Museum also prepared a temporary exhibition presenting outstanding and particularly valuable philatelic collections belonging to Retired Captain Józef Czerwenka, Colonel Kazimierz Burczak and Captain Karol Glazur and his son Adam. The exhibition will be on display in the foyer of the Katyn Museum until 30 August this year.
Another event that attracted considerable interest was the latest edition of the family museum game, this time entitled “Museum Detectives”. The game was designed for children, young people and families. Taking on the role of detectives, participants searched for traces of history hidden throughout the Katyn Museum. By completing a series of tasks, they discovered the history and traditions of the Polish Armed Forces, the history of the Warsaw Citadel and the stories of the people whose personal belongings and memorabilia are presented in the exhibition. The game provided an opportunity for families to discover history together and encouraged younger visitors to develop an interest in the past.
The postcrossing meeting and family museum game demonstrated that the history and traditions of the Polish Armed Forces can be passed on to future generations in many different ways – through museum education, family participation in cultural activities, and the development of interests such as collecting and traditional correspondence. Discovering history together, preserving its memory and nurturing individual passions are important ways of strengthening social bonds, cultivating national heritage and fostering a sense of responsibility for preserving it for future generations.
