Warsaw Uprising 77th Anniversary – At 17h, this Sunday, the capital will stop 1 minute to remember the heroes.

This Sunday, August 1st, is an important day for Varsovians. At 17h, the 77th Anniversary of the Godzina W “‘W’ Hour” will be celebrated.

FULL PROGRAM

On this day, 77 years ago, at 17h, the Warsaw Uprising began. The Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa, AK), the dominant force in the Polish resistance fought against the nazis from this date till October, 2nd 1944, and the total defeat of the Home Army by the Nazis Forces.

After two months of fights, 85% of Warsaw was destroyed, 16 000 resistant were killed on fights or executed, between 150 000 and 200 000 civilians died. 2 months after the end of the uprising, nazis forces abandoned the city.

Every year, Varsovians gathered in several parts of the capital to celebrate the heroes of the uprising. The two main points are the Rondo Dmowskiego next to the Palace of Culture and Science and the Rotunda and the Vistula. On the Rondo Dmowskiego hundreds of people often thousands and a group of bikers gathered with flags and red flares. At 17h, the sirens alert of the city ring, dozens of motorcycle powered their engines at the same time and people light their red flares, and then after 1-minute people sing in tribute of the Warsaw Uprising Heroes. In the Vistula, dozens of boats light red flare and ring their foghorn. This year, the church will take part of the celebrations by ringing their bells.

I advise people to attend this celebration once in your life, the smoke and the noise make this very ephemera moment very special and even overwhelming.