W Hour - Varsovians commemorate the anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising
Words and photographs by Neil Milton.
1 August 2024 – 1 August 2026 · Rondo Dmowskiego, Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland
On the 1st of August each year, Varsovians take to the streets of Warsaw to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the 1944 Uprising against the Nazi occupation of the city. For 1 minute each year, at 5pm, the public transport and the people of Warsaw stop, flares are lit, and sirens sound to observe and honour the occasion. After the commemoration, and with seemingly little irony, many attendees are led in a march through the city by far-right politician, Robert Bakiewicz, which is often protested by leftist groups.
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Varsovians hold burning red flares as Polish flags are flown around them during the commemoration of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 taking place in 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Varsovians hold smoke flares during the 1-minute commemoration in 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A man waves a large Polish flag during the 80th anniversary of the 1944 Uprising commemoration in 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Varsovians wave Polish flags in anticipation of the 2024 commemoration of the Uprising. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Far-right politician Robert Bakiewicz joins other dignitaries in singing the Polish national anthem as a Polish flag is flown above them during the commemoration of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 taking place in 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
As the march led by far-right politician Robert Bakiewicz passes through the streets, climate activist group The Last Generation protests with a banner expressing a refusal to give Poland up to fascism during the commemoration of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 taking place in 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A statue of a small boy, a home army soldier, is decorated for the commemoration in 2026. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A man dressed as a home army soldier stands underneath a church in 2026. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A woman walks past a mural advertising the “W Hour” commemoration in 2026. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Varsovians hold burning red flares during the commemoration of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, taking place in 2026. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A Varsovian holds a burning red flare as Polish flags are flown around him during the commemoration of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 taking place in 2026. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Poles carry a large Polish flag during the commemoration in 2026. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
