For centuries, Poles and Ukrainians have lived alongside each other, sharing a complex and often tumultuous history. From the times of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to the period of partitions and World War II, our nations have been intertwined in a dance of cooperation and conflict. However, one dark chapter in this shared history has long cast a shadow over our relations – the Volhynian massacre, also known as the Volhynian genocide, perpetrated by Ukrainian nationalists against the Polish minority in the Volhynia region during World War II.
Despite this painful past, a new chapter is unfolding in the story of Polish-Ukrainian relations. Today, in the face of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, we are witnessing a remarkable display of solidarity and gratitude from the Ukrainian side.
In the town of Szpanów, near Równe in Volhynia, a group of local Ukrainians has taken it upon themselves to renovate and restore a Polish cemetery, which had fallen into disrepair. The initiative, sparked by the gratitude of Ukrainians for Poland’s support in their struggle against Russian aggression, has brought together people from both nations in a symbol of reconciliation and mutual respect.
The cemetery, once overgrown with weeds and littered with trash, has been transformed. Broken crosses and monuments have been restored, and new staircases have been built. The cemetery is once again a place of dignity and reverence, where the memories of Poland’s fallen heroes can be honored.
As we can see from the photos posted by Mischa Von Jadczak, a Polish journalist, the renovation work was carried out with great care and attention to detail. Local Ukrainians, including women and children, have worked tirelessly to restore the cemetery to its former glory.
But this is not an isolated incident. Across Poland, Ukrainian refugees are finding shelter and support, and in return, many Ukrainians are expressing their gratitude by helping to clean up Poland’s parks and forests.
On Wołyn, where the graves of our ancestors were once desecrated, we are now seeing a new era of cooperation and respect. The cemetery, once a symbol of tragedy and loss, has been transformed into a beacon of hope and reconciliation.
As we look to the future, it is clear that the relationship between Poland and Ukraine is undergoing a profound transformation. Gone are the days of hostility and mistrust; in their place, we are seeing a growing sense of solidarity and mutual respect.
Today, as Poland stands firmly alongside Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, we are witness to a remarkable display of unity and cooperation. It is a testament to the power of human solidarity and the ability to overcome even the darkest chapters of our shared history.
Sources:
* Jadczak, M. (2022, April 21). _Tak teraz wygląda PL cmentarz w Szpanowie koło Równego na Wołyniu.._ [Twitter post]. Retrieved from
* Jadczak, M. (2022, April 21). _Jak widać trzyma ona w ręku pędzel, zatem te wszystkie groby jak i krzyże zostały też na nowo odmalowane._ [Twitter post]. Retrieved from
Statistics:
* According to the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of March 2022, over 2.5 million Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Poland since the start of the Russian invasion. (Source: [Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs](https://www.msz.gov.pl/pl/polska_i_swiata/ukraina/))
* A recent survey conducted by the Polish think tank, CBOS, found that 71% of Poles support providing aid to Ukraine, including military assistance. (Source: [CBOS](https://www.cbos.pl/PL/news/2022/155/15082.pdf))
Keywords: Poland, Ukraine, Volhynian massacre, Volhynian genocide, cemetery renovation, refugee crisis, Russian aggression, solidarity, mutual respect.
