Celebrations and Commemorations Archives - Neil Milton Photography https://neilmilton.scot/category/photojournalism/culture/celebrations-and-commemorations/ A life in monochrome, mostly Sun, 30 Aug 2026 07:31:23 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://neilmilton.scot/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/sig-150x150.png Celebrations and Commemorations Archives - Neil Milton Photography https://neilmilton.scot/category/photojournalism/culture/celebrations-and-commemorations/ 32 32 212787569 W Hour – Warsaw Uprising Anniversary. Warsaw, Poland https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/w-hour-2024-2025-2026/ https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/w-hour-2024-2025-2026/#respond Sun, 30 Aug 2026 07:31:15 +0000 https://neilmilton.scot/?p=5756 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)

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]]> https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/w-hour-2024-2025-2026/feed/ 0 5756 Warsaw Pride 2025 and 2026. Warsaw, Poland https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/pride-2025-2026/ https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/pride-2025-2026/#respond Sun, 30 Aug 2026 07:11:11 +0000 https://neilmilton.scot/?p=5754 Thousands of people take to the streets for the Equality Parade in Warsaw, the highlight of the Polish capital's Pride celebrations. LGBTQIA+ people, friends, family, and supporters advocate for broader social inclusion for their community as they march through the city centre. As in recent years, the parade is colourful, loud, and joyful.

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Participants dance through the streets of Warsaw during the Equality Parade in 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Participants pose for a picture during the Equality Parade in 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A participant wears rainbow sunglasses during the Equality Parade in 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Participants dance through the streets of Warsaw during the Equality Parade in 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Participants dance through the streets of Warsaw during the Equality Parade in 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Warsaw’s mayor, Rafał Trzaskowski leads the equality parade in 2026. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Participants dance through the streets of Warsaw during the Equality Parade in 2026. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A participant carries a placard during the equality parade in 2026. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A participant poses for a photograph during the equality parade in 2026. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)

Tearsheet

Warsaw Pride. Politico. November, 2025.

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]]> https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/pride-2025-2026/feed/ 0 5754 Polish Independence Day 2024 and 2025. Warsaw, Poland https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/polish-independence-day-2024-and-2025-warsaw-poland/ https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/polish-independence-day-2024-and-2025-warsaw-poland/#respond Sat, 29 Aug 2026 22:08:47 +0000 https://neilmilton.scot/?p=5751 Each year on the 11th of November, Polish citizens from all over the country march through the streets of Warsaw to celebrate Independence Day. Though the event gathers tens of thousands of participants, and many patriotic Poles gather to celebrate with their families, many far-right and fascist organisations also march. The march itself was initiated by far-right groups and has been marred by controversy as it is seen by many as promoting fascism, antisemitism and racism.

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Far-right nationalists line up and chant slogans before the Independence Day march in 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Far-right nationalists line up and chant slogans before the Independence Day march in 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A nationalist participant waves the Confederate States of America’s battle flag during the demonstration in 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A participant holds lit and burning smoke flares during the demonstration in 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Two participants of the Independence Day march kiss in front of lit flares in 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Far-right politician Sławomir Mentzen holds a flare during the Independence Day march in 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
As many flares are ignited, a march organiser shouts through a megaphone during the demonstration in 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A participant holds a burning flare during the demonstration in 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Participants set fire to a European Union flag during the demonstration in 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)

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]]> https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/polish-independence-day-2024-and-2025-warsaw-poland/feed/ 0 5751 Armed Forces Day 2024 and 2025. Warsaw, Poland https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/armed-forces-day-2024-2025/ https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/armed-forces-day-2024-2025/#respond Sat, 29 Aug 2026 19:45:06 +0000 https://neilmilton.scot/?p=5749 Each August, on the 15th of the month, Poland celebrates Armed Forces Day with a military parade. Poland's armed forces, along with allied troops stationed in the country, participated in a parade in front of the public, the media, and assembled dignitaries. A few days before the parade, early in the morning, organisers hosted a rehearsal, where Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, General Wiesław Kukula also present a press conference. In 2024, Poland used the parade to celebrate its 25th year as a member of NATO.

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Polish soldiers march beneath the flag of their country during the parade rehearsal in 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Soldiers march in step along the road during the parade rehearsal in 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
American tanks take part in the rehearsal of the parade in 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Soldiers carry an arrangement of the flag of the Republic of Poland and the NATO Standard during the parade in 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Polish F-16 jet fighters fly over during the military parade in 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
American tanks take part in the parade in 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Warsaw, Poland. 2024 (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
“Krabs” Polish-designed self-propelled Howitzers seen set up as a backdrop during a press conference after the parade rehearsal in 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
General Wieslaw Kukula (left) and Minister of National Defence Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz (right) speak during a press conference after the parade rehearsal in 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)

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]]> https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/armed-forces-day-2024-2025/feed/ 0 5749 Mermaids Parade 2026. Warsaw, Poland https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/mermaids-2026/ https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/mermaids-2026/#respond Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:40:55 +0000 https://neilmilton.scot/?p=5539 Varsovians took to the streets to enjoy the 5th annual parade of the Mermaids. Celebrating the mermaid, the symbol of the city, the Warsaw districts came together to create a colourful procession of mermaids, bands, acrobats, dancers, and other performers, which moves from the Charles De Gaulle roundabout along the Royal Route to Castle Square.

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Sitting on one of the floats, a young girl makes a heart sign with her hands. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A performer walks along the parade wearing an ornate head of a lion. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Colourfully-dressed performers dance together during the parade. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)

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]]> https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/mermaids-2026/feed/ 0 5539 Belarus Freedom Day 2026. Warsaw, Poland https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/belarus-freedom-day/ https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/belarus-freedom-day/#respond Wed, 26 Aug 2026 20:39:01 +0000 https://neilmilton.scot/?p=5464 On the afternoon of Sunday, the 29th of March, Belarusians in Warsaw gathered to celebrate Belarus Freedom Day with a march from Three Crosses Square to Castle Square in the old town. The participants marched with flags, banners, and a long Belarusian flag carried by those in attendance. Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Pavel Latushko, led the procession.

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Participants carry a large, long Belarusian flag during the rally. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Belarusian opposition leader in exile, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leads the Freedom Day march. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A participant dressed as a cat poses for the camera during the rally. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)

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]]> https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/belarus-freedom-day/feed/ 0 5464 Home Army Soldiers Remembrance Day 2026. Warsaw, Poland https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/home-army-2026/ https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/home-army-2026/#respond Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:49:07 +0000 https://neilmilton.scot/?p=5450 On the afternoon of the 14th of February, Poland celebrates the National Day of Remembrance of the Home Army Soldiers, a state holiday commemorating the Polish underground militias during World War II. After a Mass for the fallen at the Basilica of the Holy Cross, a Parade of Respect passes through the streets of Warsaw in the direction of the Monument to the Polish Underground State and the Home Army at the Polish Parliament, where a wreath-laying ceremony takes place.

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Young historical reenactors in period military dress are seen after the ceremony. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Soldiers gather underneath a statue of Christ bearing the cross. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A historical reenactor in period military dress looks through binoculars. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A historical reenactor marches in front of a statue of French General Charles de Gaulle. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Historical reenactors in period military dress march in the parade. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)

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]]> https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/home-army-2026/feed/ 0 5450 Fat Thursday 2026. Warsaw, Poland https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/fat-thursday-2026/ https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/fat-thursday-2026/#respond Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:23:52 +0000 https://neilmilton.scot/?p=5448 On the 12th of February, Poland celebrates "Tlusty czwartek" or Fat Thursday, the Christian tradition marking the last Thursday before Lent when fatty foods are devoured all across the country. As Lent is a time of fasting, the days leading up to Ash Wednesday provide the last opportunity for feasting until Easter. Famous across the country, the Zagodzinski bakery in Warsaw, celebrating its 101st year, is a popular spot to buy its delicious rose-jam-filled paczki (doughnuts). Varsovians will often queue for hours to buy boxes of the traditional Polish treat.

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A server offers a sugar-dusted doughnut to a customer. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
The Zagodzinski bakery opens for business. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Bakers make endless trays of doughnuts for the queues waiting to buy. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A server fills a cardboard box with doughnuts. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A display of doughnuts is seen in a coffee shop. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)

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]]> https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/fat-thursday-2026/feed/ 0 5448 Christmas 2025. Warsaw, Poland https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/christmas-2025/ https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/christmas-2025/#respond Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:10:33 +0000 https://neilmilton.scot/?p=5442 On the evening of Wednesday, the 4th of December, Warsaw's mayor Rafal Trzaskowski is joined by four Varsovian children to switch on the Christmas illuminations next to the Royal Castle in the picturesque Castle Square. Earlier on the weekend of the 28th of November through to the 30th of November, the city of Warsaw opens its new Christmas Market (Jarmark Warszawski) at Plac Defilad. The market is open until the 1st of January 2026. Visitors can enjoy over 150 wooden cottage stalls, an open-air cinema, Poland's largest Big Wheel, rides, attractions, and light sculptures, not to mention an array of foods and mulled wine.

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Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski speaks to the crowd waiting for the Christmas illuminations. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Singers entertain the crowd after the lighting of the Christmas illuminations. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Visitors queue to take a ride on the Big Wheel. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
The Big Wheel and the Palace of Culture and Science are seen behind a sculpture of Christmas baubles. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Cooks at one of the many food stalls prepare traditional Polish Kielbasa sausages and other meats. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)

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]]> https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/christmas-2025/feed/ 0 5442 2024 Ukrainian Independence Day. Warsaw, Poland https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/ukrainian-independence-day-2024/ https://neilmilton.scot/2026/08/ukrainian-independence-day-2024/#respond Sat, 22 Aug 2026 17:36:58 +0000 https://neilmilton.scot/?p=5145 On the 24th of August, Ukrainians in Poland celebrate the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine's independence with a special event in Warsaw's Castle Square. Ukrainians have fought for their independence every day for the last decade; however, despite this, the event is very much a celebration. Varsovians and Ukrainian immigrants come together to support Ukraine, thanking the soldiers fighting for its freedom, and others who "stand with Ukraine" in other ways. With an awards ceremony, a dramatic reading, speeches, and musical performances, it is an evening of marking freedom and independence. As the event begins, across the square, Polish right-wing nationalists stage a demonstration against such an event.

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A Ukrainian flag, with a heart in Polish colours, is displayed during the celebration during Warsaw’s celebration of Ukraine Independence Day. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Anastasiia Menshykova, of the Ukrainian band, Izzi, opens the event with their musical performance during Warsaw’s celebration of Ukraine’s Independence Day. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Polish right-wing anti-refugee protesters hold a large Polish flag outside of Warsaw’s celebration of Ukraine’s Independence Day. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)

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