Taking care of cmentarzem wojennym w Dytiatynie, organizacja obchodów 106. Rocznicy Bitwy pod Dytiatynem
OBCHODY 106. ROCZNICY BITWY POD DYTIATYNEM – 19 WRZEŚNIA 2026 ROKU
19 września 2026 roku na Cmentarzu Wojennym w Dytiatynie na Ukrainie odbyły się uroczyste obchody 106. rocznicy bitwy pod Dytiatynem.
Priests, school children, the local community, and numerous representatives of Polish associations and organizations working to cultivate national memory gathered at the memorial site to pay tribute to the heroes of 1920.
The highlight of the ceremony was a Holy Mass celebrated in remembrance of fallen soldiers. The celebrant prayed for all the defenders who gave their lives in 1920 in the fight against the Bolshevik invaders, commending their souls to Divine Mercy. During the prayers, prayers were also offered for peace, reconciliation, and mutual respect and cooperation between the Polish and Ukrainian nations.
The presence of delegations from Polish associations and banner guards lent the event a particularly solemn character. A particularly moving moment of the celebrations was the joint singing of the Polish national anthem, "Mazurek Dąbrowskiego.".
Candles were lit and wreaths and flowers were laid under the Polish and Ukrainian flags flying over the monument.
The history and course of the Battle of Dytiatyn – the „Polish Thermopylae”
On September 16, 1920, near the village of Dytiatyn, one of the most dramatic and symbolic battles of the Polish-Soviet War took place. Due to the unprecedented heroism of the defenders, it became known as the Polish Thermopylae. These battles were a key element of the Polish-Ukrainian offensive following the victory in the Battle of Warsaw. The combined forces were tasked with pushing the Bolshevik forces back across the Zbruch River and covering the flank of the developing Allied offensive.
Facing the Polish-Ukrainian group of fewer than a thousand soldiers was the overwhelming force of over six thousand soldiers from an elite Bolshevik cavalry division, supported by infantry and heavy artillery. The main defensive positions on the strategic hill were occupied by Polish infantrymen, artillerymen, and allied Ukrainian units. For over six hours, the defenders endured massive fire and relentless enemy charges, repelling wave after wave of attack under heavy fire.
When the defenders ran out of cannon and rifle ammunition, the artillery battery crews did not abandon their positions but engaged in dramatic close-quarters combat with bayonets and rifle butts in direct defense of their guns. Most of the Polish soldiers died instantly, fighting to the death. This heroic, hours-long resistance tied down significant Bolshevik forces, delayed their advance, and enabled the remaining Polish and Allied units to safely retreat and reorganize. The sacrifice of the defenders at Dytiatyn became an enduring symbol of soldierly duty and brotherhood in arms.
Honor and glory to the Heroes!
photo by Friar Marian Melnychuk OFMConv
Pamięć i troska: Podsumowanie prac porządkowych na Cmentarzu Wojennym w Dytiatynie w III kwartale 2026 roku
Zakończono kompleksowe prace gospodarcze, pielęgnacyjne i porządkowe na Cmentarzu Wojennym w Dytiatynie (Ukraina), zaplanowane na III kwartał 2026 roku. Działania te miały na celu nie tylko bieżące utrzymanie nekropolii, ale przede wszystkim odpowiednie przygotowanie terenu Miejsca Pamięci Narodowej do obchodów rocznicowych.
Dzięki stałemu nadzorowi i systematycznej pracy opiekunów, cmentarz znajduje się w bardzo dobrym stanie technicznym oraz wizualnym. Obiekt nie ucierpiał z powodu czynników wyższych, nie odnotowano również żadnych aktów wandalizmu.
Wykaz zrealizowanych prac:
- – Przygotowanie do obchodów rocznicowych: Kompleksowo uporządkowano i przygotowano całą przestrzeń cmentarza, aby zapewnić godną i reprezentacyjną oprawę planowanym uroczystościom.
- – Pielęgnacja roślinności i koszenie: Wykonano regularne koszenie oraz wywożenie skoszonej trawy, podlewano i odżywiano krzewy oraz drzewka, a także przeprowadzono serwis techniczny kosiarek.
- – Zwalczanie chwastów: Przeprowadzono specjalistyczne opryski środków chwastobójczych na kostce brukowej i terenie wokół cmentarza.
- – Czyszczenie tablic i nagrobków: Przeprowadzono gruntowne mycie oraz usuwanie brudu i pleśni z tablic pamiątkowych i nagrobków przy użyciu dedykowanej chemii czyszczącej i szczotek.
- – Sprzątanie i estetyka terenu: Regularnie sprzątano i zamiatano teren wokół Cmentarza, wyrzucano stare znicze oraz zniszczone kwiaty i usuwano bieżące śmieci.
- – Nadzór, stan techniczny i naprawy: Prowadzono ciągły, bieżący nadzór nad obiektem, sprawdzano stan techniczny infrastruktury, wykonywano ewentualne drobne naprawy oraz prowadzono stałą kontrolę chroniącą przed aktami wandalizmu.
- – Zaplecze materiałowe: Zakupiono niezbędny sprzęt i środki eksploatacyjne, w tym pojemniki na wodę, miotły, szczotki do kamienia, chemię czyszczącą, preparaty chwastobójcze oraz paliwo do sprzętu. Efektem wykonanych prac jest schludny, zadbany i w pełni przygotowany do uroczystości wygląd nekropolii, co pozwala z należytym szacunkiem kultywować pamięć o historii. Zapraszamy do obejrzenia dokumentacji fotograficznej przedstawiającej efekty wykonanych prac.
Memory and Care: Summary of the care and cleanup of the Dytiatyn War Cemetery
The work at the Dytiatyn War Cemetery (Ukraine), scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, has been completed. Thanks to constant, year-round maintenance, this unique Memorial remains in good technical and visual condition.
From April to June of this year, activities focused on maintaining and cleaning the necropolis, as well as preparing it for the upcoming anniversary celebrations. It's worth noting that during this time, the site did not suffer any damage due to external factors (war, natural disasters), and no acts of vandalism were reported.
List of activities carried out in recent months:
- – Greenery care: Ongoing vegetation care and weed control (working with herbicides).
- – Cleaning and aesthetic activities: Washing commemorative plaques and regularly throwing away old flowers and damaged candles.
- – Repairs and infrastructure: Repairing the flagpole and checking the technical condition of the facilities.
- – Supervision and security: Ongoing supervision of the necropolis and constant control against acts of vandalism.
- – Celebrations: Comprehensive site preparation for anniversary celebrations.
The result of these efforts is a neat, dignified appearance for the cemetery, allowing for the proper preservation of historical memory. We invite you to view the photographic documentation of the results.
Clean-up works at the War Cemetery – summary of the first quarter of 2026.
Maintaining the Dytiatyn War Cemetery in good condition is our priority in maintaining the Memorial. Year-round maintenance was conducted in the first quarter of 2026, including the following activities: ongoing supervision and systematic inspection of the cemetery's technical condition. Cleaning work, including the disposal of old flowers and used candles. Minor repairs and other necessary work related to maintaining the aesthetics of the grounds. Vandalism control to ensure the safety of the Memorial. Thanks to these regular activities, the "Polish Thermopylae" remains a worthy resting place for heroes.
CARE OF THE WAR CEMETERY IN DYTIATYN, ORGANIZATION OF THE CELEBRATIONS OF THE 106TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF DYTIATYN
The project aims to provide year-round care for a significant Polish memorial site, the Dytiatyn War Cemetery (Ukraine, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast). This is the site of a strategic battle for Poland in 1920, in which many Polish soldiers lost their lives. As part of the project, the site is constantly cared for and supervised, and annual commemorations of the Battle of Dytiatyn are held, this year marking the 106th anniversary. Memorial candles and flowers are also laid in November for All Saints' Day.
CO-FINANCED BY THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND NATIONAL HERITAGE FROM THE CULTURE PROMOTION FUND – STATE SPECIAL PURPOSE FUND
Co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund 