102nd Anniversary of the Battle
Co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund
"Dytiatyn - Uniqueness and Cyclicalness"
September 17, 2022
The year 2022, the 102nd anniversary of the Battle of Dytiatyn, has brought much uncertainty, fear, and suffering to Polish and Ukrainian lands. The latest bloody events beyond Poland's eastern border do not allow us to forget our heritage, our history. This heritage, engraved in our hearts through the cultivation of unwavering patriotic virtues, does not allow us to forget the events that serve as a lesson for every future generation. It does not allow us to forget the blood of our ancestors shed on this land. The "Polish Thermopylae," as the Battle of Dytiatyn is remembered in history, is still alive in our memory. In recent years, and this year as well, we will remember! We will remember actively and bravely – on this land where the blood of Polish and Ukrainian soldiers spilled 102 years ago. We will remember because this heritage draws us every year to the Dytiatyn War Cemetery.
This year's Dytiatyn commemorations can certainly be considered exceptional. Despite such turbulent events in Ukraine, they took place as usual, as usual, on September 17, 2022. What's unique about this year is the absence of guests and Polish community groups from Poland. The situation that surprised us early in the morning on February 24th continues to make its presence felt in all areas of life – including the social dimension. The commemorations began with Holy Mass celebrated at the Dytiatyn War Cemetery. Getting to the cemetery requires a difficult path through fields and potholes. But this didn't discourage them; as every year, a large group of guests made their way to the site where the heroic deed, where a human life was sacrificed, is commemorated. The Mass was presided over by Father Roman Stadnik, Dean of the Galicia Deanery. During the Mass, the Custodian of the Custody of the Holy Cross, Father Stanisław Kawa, OFM Conv., addressed the participants. He recalled that 102 years ago, a bloody battle between Polish and Ukrainian soldiers and the Bolsheviks took place in this very area. He said: "On the eve of the October Revolution, the Blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared to the children in Fatima, spoke of the threat that would come from Russia. She also asked for prayers for the conversion of the Russian nation, to stop the evil that would spread from there throughout the world. Who took this seriously?" (...) Who hears God's voice today? (...) God does not want death and suffering.
In a letter sent on this occasion from the Government Plenipotentiary for Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad, Mr. Jan Dziedziczak, we read:
"The memory of the heroes of the war against the Bolsheviks in 1920 will forever remain our duty. (...) The courage of the Polish Soldier, who fought against an enemy four times larger, even when they ran out of ammunition, may be testified to by the words from the order issued after the battle by the commander of the 8th Infantry Division, Colonel Stanisław Burhardt-Bugacki: "All of them persevered, both soldiers and officers, bravely sacrificing their lives at their posts rather than the guns and the Honor of the Polish Soldier (...). May their courage and intrepid bravery ignite in us the great fire of Love of the Fatherland, which may lead us all in the footsteps of such heroes."
From a letter from the Government Plenipotentiary for Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad, Mr. Jan Dziedziczak.
Following the ceremonial commemorations at the cemetery, along with the laying of flowers and candles by state and church representatives from Poland and Ukraine, patriotic performances took place. Children from the "Perełki" group from Dolina, Ukraine, led by Father Krzysztof Panasowicz, presented a patriotic program prepared for the ceremony to the gathered guests. This beautiful artistic performance capped the celebrations and allowed them to once again feel the spirit of patriotism and unity between nations.
This year's commemorations were also exceptional due to the absence of one of the oldest and most regular participants in the commemoration of the events of Dytiatyn – Mr. Petro Hrudzewycz. He became a kind of propagator of these commemorations when, during the Soviet era, he expressed his opposition to the removal of the cross commemorating the events on Dytiatyn Hill. For his heroic act, he suffered persecution, and his health subsequently declined. However, the memory of his achievements survived, and in 2021, the President of the Republic of Poland awarded him the "Virtus et Fraternitas" Medal. Unfortunately, Mr. Petro did not live to see the next commemorations of the Battle, which also marked his life with suffering. He passed away a few months before the 102nd anniversary. However, the memory endures, and although he was absent from the commemorations, our presence remained with him. Ms. Eliza Dzwonkiewicz, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Lviv, ceremoniously laid flowers at his grave.
102 Celebrations – unique and cyclical. Unique in every respect. And here we can reflect on the fact that uniqueness is invariably linked to cyclicality and routine. Life repeats itself every year, every decade, and every century, and within this cyclicality is always woven the uniqueness of events, encounters, and moments. What matters most is unwavering memory!
Dytiatyn – we remember!
