Poland says goodbye to President (SEE PICTURES OF THE FUNERAL)

thenews.pl ^ | April 18, 2010

[lizol]

Poland says goodbye to president

18.04.2010

Around 90,000 gathered in Krakow for the funeral of President Lech Kaczynski and First Lady Maria.

After the funeral ceremony at St Mary's, which began at 14.00 CET, the funeral procession will begin at 15.30, making its way to Wawel Castle where, at 16.30, the coffins will be put into the specially built tomb.

Though president’s from the US, Germany and top European officials cancelled their trips to Poland following the persistence of the ash cloud over Polish air space, leaders from Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Morocco and Azerbaijan are in the southern Polish city.

A time for reconciliation

Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, once a close aid to John Paul II, led the funeral mass. Referring to the recent improvement in relations between Russia and Poland following the death of Lech Kaczynski, the cardinal welcomed President Dimitry Medvedev who was attending the service, and hoped the tragedy could be a force for “rapprochement and reconciliation".

Around 700 VIPs sat inside the Basilica, while some 40,000 watched on large screens in the market square. Up to 50,000 people are watching the mass in other locations in Krakow, said Krakow police spokesman Mariusz Sokolowski.

The police spokesman said the people were “very quiet, with people in deep contemplation".

The homily, by Cardinal Angelo Sodano - who could not travel from the Vatican to Krakow because of the ash cloud closing air space - was read by Archbishop Jozef Kowalczyk.

The mass ends with an address by acting president Bronislaw Komorowski.

Komorowski paid tribute to the presidential couple in front of the two coffins which had been placed on the alter. He expressed hope that the deaths of so many of Poland‘s top military and politicians would "finally heal the wound of Katyn”.

The coffins were then taken on military vehicles through flag-lined streets to the Silver Bell Tower at Wawel Castle where they will be laid to rest. Crowds broke into applause and shouted “We thank you, Lech Kaczynski”. At 17.10, the Zygmunt Bell sounded at the castle.

Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz then said liturgical farewell to Lech Kaczynski and Maria at Wawel Cathedral in front of guests including Georgian President Mikhail Sakaszwili, who delayed in arriving in Krakow in Rome, where flights were disrupted by the ash cloud.

President Dimitry Medvedev told reporters before he left Krakow after the funeral mass at St Mary’s Basilica: “The tragedy that occurred near Smolensk has not left anyone indifferent. In our country it has sparked strong emotions."

He stressed that he hopes this helps build better Polish-Russian relations. (pg)

[4Runner]

There are some things positive about homogeneous cultures but I’m sure those remaining will shortly be drinking the infectious nectar of diversity.

Also, if Air Force One couldn’t fly safely to Europe because of the ash, why couldn’t BO have booked passage on a U.S. Naval destroyer or nuclear sub? Bush or Reagan would have.

[Moltke]

Just a minor correction to the article: German president Horst Köhler was at the funeral, as was the German foreign minister.
Chancellor Merkel couldn’t make it, though.

[ThreePuttinDude]

EXCELLENT question

[lizol]

Well - Mikheil Saakashvili, the President of Georgia came to Krakow from Wahington D.C., via Rome - by plane.
He was a bit late for the ceremony, but - at last - was present.

[lizol]

German President came to Krakow by helicopter.

Presidents of Czech Republic and Slovakia came by car (or train, I’m not sure).

But the president of Austria didn’t show up. I don’t knwo how far is from Vienna to Bratislava? 50 km?

[arasina]

Thank you for posting the photos, lizol. Such a tragedy for the Polish people!

[Cicero]

Thank you. Incredibly beautiful photos—both the Cathedral and the people.

[lizol]

See the video of the plane with President’s and his wife’s coffins departing Warsaw this morning.

http://plej.gazeta.pl/plej/0,0.html#film=105748_7783660

When I saw how the plane waved the last “Good bye” to Warsaw - just couldn’t stop my tears.

[EternalVigilance]

Thank you for taking the time to compile the pictures. They’re poignant.

[dfwgator]

I slipped into a dark mood, thinking that it is only the might and righteousness of the United States that stands between an innocent people such as the Poles, and the forces of unmitigated totalitarian depravity. And what is becoming of us under this regime? To whom will the innocent now turn when we are emasculated by appeasement and financial ruin?

The one thing Poland does have, is a real sense of nationhood, that is not seen anymore.

The fact is, despite Kaczynski not being very popular at the time of the tragedy, still all Poles were united in expressing their sorrow for a man who served his country, despite the politics.

And as they say, if what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger...then Poland will emerge from this stronger than ever.

[wildandcrazyrussian]

Beautiful pictures on a sad day!

[ishabibble]

The Polish people know how to do things right. The pictures are beautiful, lizol.

[Monkey Face]

*snif* I’m not going to cry. *snif* I’m NOT going to cry!
*snif-snif* OK. So I lied. It was so moving...I think of how the pilots felt...courage~honor~grief.

[sockmonkey]

Thank you Lizol. Again, my condolences and prayers for Poland. This is so heartbreaking.

[philly-d-kidder]

Lizol

Juncoya

The Photos were equisite

[Lauren BaRecall]

Zdrowaś Maryja, łaskiś pełna,
Pan z Tobą.
Błogosławionaś jesteś między niewiastami
i błogosławiony owoc żywota Twojego, Jezus.
Święta Maryja, Matko Boża,
módl się za nami grzesznymi,
teraz i w godzinę śmierci naszej.
Amen.

My deepest heartfelt condolences to the Kaczynski family, and to the people of Poland.

[TurkeyLurkey]

Thank you so much for your posts and pictures. I have passed these on to many people. My heart breaks for Poland’s loss. May the LORD bring blessing out of the calamity.

[Isaiah 45:6-7]

[TurkeyLurkey]

Thank you so much for your posts and pictures. I have passed these on to many people. My heart breaks for Poland’s loss. May the LORD bring blessing out of the calamity.

[Isaiah 45:6-7]

[lizol]

"Buttons" (by Zbigniew Herbert)

The steely buttons all alone
survived - the watchers of the wreck
they come out from the underground
the only head stones on their graves


they testify - the God will count
and have His mercy onto them
still, how to resurrect in flash
when merged they are with clammy clay


a bird flew over, clouds pass by
a leaf falls down, a mallow sprouts
while in the silence on the heights
the Katyń forest mists smoke on


the steely buttons all alone
the silent choirs’ mighty voice
the steely buttons all alone
torn from the coats and uniforms

President Kaczynki died, while going to honour Polish officers murdered in Katyn. He died near Katyn, exactly on the 70th anniversary of their death.
His crypt at the Wawel Cathedral will be called the Katyn crypt.

[ThreePuttinDude]

I too had to wipe my eyes when the pilot
waved the final farewell.

Thanks lizol