Residents of Gdańsk and other communities across Poland commemorated National Victory Day on May 8, the date marking the official surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II hostilities in Europe.
In comments during yesterday’s ceremonies in Słupsk, Colonel Maciej Kowalski, commander of the Redzikowo Base Protection Battalion, praised the Polish contribution to ending the war.
“Our compatriots fought on practically all fronts of this terrible war, from the very beginning until the end of hostilities,” he explained. “The contribution of Polish soldiers to building lasting peace in Europe and in the world is invaluable.”
While commonly seen in Europe as the end of World War II, the Allied powers continued fighting Axis ally Japan throughout the summer of 1945, with Japan’s official surrender taking place on September 2, 1945.
For many Poles and other residents of Central Eastern Europe, Victory Day celebrations are bittersweet, as the end of World War II ushered in an era of Soviet control and repression in place until the fall of the communist regime in 1989.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked the Ukrainian Parliament to officially change Victory Day observances in Ukraine to May 8 to align with celebrations in Europe.
Germany’s unconditional surrender was signed on May 8, 1945, at 22:30 Central European Time (CET), with hostilities in Europe officially ending one minute past 23:00 CET. In Moscow, the end of WWII hostilities occurred at one minute past midnight on May 9; thus the holiday is celebrated on a different day in Russia and most of the former USSR.
Since 2015, Ukrainians have celebrated May 8 as a day of Remembrance and Reconciliation and May 9 as the Day of Victory over Nazism in World War II. Under Zelensky’s proposal, both commemorations will now be observed on May 8. The following date, May 9, will officially be celebrated as Europe Day, the same as in EU member states.
May 9, 1950, was the official signing of the Schuman Declaration, “an ambitious plan to secure long-term peace in post-war Europe that is considered the beginning of what is now the European Union.”
In comments on Monday, Zelensky drew parallels between the two historical moments, saying that “although now it is another aggressor, the goal is the same – enslavement or destruction. And just as then we relied on the joint strength of free nations, today we fight against evil together with the free world, together with free Europe. And we will prevail!”
Source: Radio Gdańsk, ec.europa.eu, Kyiv Independent
Russia’s ambassador to Poland plans to lay flowers at the Soviet Military Cemetery in Warsaw today to mark Victory Day in Russia and has asked Polish authorities for protection, according to news reports.
The wreath-laying ceremony is scheduled for 11:00 Tuesday morning, said the Russian embassy, adding in a communique to the Polish Foreign Ministry that the ambassador “expects that relevant Polish authorities will ensure appropriate public order during the celebratory events.”
Last year, Russia’s ambassador was splashed with red paint by an anti-war activist as he attempted to mark Russia’s Victory Day by laying wreaths at the graves of Soviet soldiers at the Warsaw cemetery.
Representatives of the Polish Foreign Ministry said they were notified of the ambassador’s plans but didn’t have jurisdiction over the Soviet Military Cemetery and “didn’t recommend that the abovementioned ceremonies take place.”
A 300-strong demonstration has reportedly been registered to take place in front of the Soviet Military Cemetery between 9:00 and 15:00 today during the Russian ambassador’s scheduled visit.
Source: Polskie Radio
Lechia Gdańsk has announced reduced prices of 25 PLN for next week’s match in honor of the club playing their last match in the Ekstraklasa league and as a farewell to legendary striker Flávio Paixão.
Tickets to the May 20th match at Polsat Plus Arena against Legia Warszawa typically cost between PLN 35-75, but the club announced on Monday that all tickets will now be available for PLN 25.
Those who already purchased tickets at a higher price will be given a refund; more details are available on the official club website at lechia.pl.
Source: gdansk.pl, lechia.pl
Weather
Today will be mostly sunny and warm, with no chance of rain and a light breeze coming in from the southwest. Temperatures will peak at a daytime high of 18°C or 64°F before dropping to a low of 6°C or 43°F overnight. Similar weather is expected tomorrow, with sunny skies and warm temps continuing through the week.
Elizabeth Peck
