50 years of the Katyn Monument on Gunnersbury. Polonia will meet on September 19
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, the 50th anniversary of the unveiling of the Katyn Monument will be celebrated at Gunnersbury Cemetery in West London. The ceremony was announced for 11:00. This is an opportunity to remember both the victims of the crime and the efforts of emigrants who fought to commemorate them.
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, the 50th anniversary of the unveiling of the Katyn Monument will be celebrated at Gunnersbury Cemetery in West London. The ceremony was announced for 11:00. This is an opportunity to remember both the victims of the crime and the efforts of emigrants who fought to commemorate them.
According to the announcement published by MyPolska.UK, the celebrations will last from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and will take place at the monument in Gunnersbury Cemetery. For the Polish community of Ealing and neighboring districts, it will be an encounter with history recorded here in west London. Announcement of the ceremony: MyPolska.UK
The black obelisk was unveiled on September 18, 1976. This year's celebrations were therefore scheduled for Saturday, the day after the exact anniversary.
The creation of the monument was preceded by many years of efforts by Polish emigration. In the realities of the Cold War, the commemoration of Katyn caused political tensions. The Soviet Union opposed the construction, and the British authorities feared its diplomatic consequences. No official representative of the British government appeared at the unveiling, although some politicians participated privately. The monument also became a testimony to the stubbornness of people who did not want to agree to keeping history silent. History of the monument and cemetery
Half a century later, it is also worth looking at this place through the eyes of the younger generation. The monument allows us to talk about why, for post-war emigrants, the memory of Poland was part of everyday life on the Islands. Behind the dates and names stand families, lost loved ones and years of efforts for public recognition of the truth.
Anyone planning to attend should go to Gunnersbury Cemetery, 143 Gunnersbury Avenue, London W3 8LE. It's a good idea to enter the full name of the cemetery in your navigation - just "Gunnersbury" may direct you to a park or station. Cemetery location
Celebration date: Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 11:00–13:00. Meeting point: Katyn Memorial at Gunnersbury Cemetery.
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© 2026 EalingPulse.uk. Original editorial text, graphics and photographs owned by EalingPulse.uk may not be copied, reproduced or republished without prior written permission. Short quotations are permitted only where allowed by law, with clear credit to EalingPulse.uk and a direct link to this article. Third-party material remains the property of its respective rights holders.
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