What is going on in: Warsaw?

Hello, maybe you can introduce yourself.

Hi, I am an Erasmus students from Poland and I'm 21. In Warsaw I study journalism and law.

A couple months ago the Poland was in the news because of plane crash and this whole tragedy. Could you tell me something about that?
Oh, yes that’s true. In the plane crash you mentioned, many important public people from the government and all significant institutions died, our president for instance. It was hard not only emotionally but also practically since the country was paralyzed.

How did citizens react on it?
Since it was more than hundred people who had died the government made a period of mourning in the whole country. What is more, many people were bringing candles to the president palace. We were in the shock more than 3 months. In the centre of public discussion still is the question how it happened? It influenced very strong polish relation with Russia.

Why does it influence you relationship with Russia?
First of all, the plane crash happened on its territory and the whole procedure to explain this accident cannot be done without Russian help. Moreover, there are some groups in Poland who strongly believe that Russia is responsible for this tragedy, because during the Second World War in Smolensk Russian soldiers had murdered polish officers and they didn’t want to admit for many years. But know I believe everything is going in the right direction.

Can you tell me about the monument in the front of The President Palace?
We are not sure who made it but probably some scout group. It was a cross from wood to every victim of this plane crash. It became very important to many people since Poland it’s mostly catholic. But we cannot forget that this country is not a secular one and we should separate religious area from politics. For this reason, the cross should be removed to the church. Unfortunately, one of the parties try to gain popularity due to this case and makes some kind of panic around that. The society is strongly divided because is such an emotional issue.

Can you tell me your opinion about it?
As far as I am concerned, the cross should be removed. It’s not like forgetting about people who died but eventually we must get over it. Especially the government already made a special table and put in on the wall of The President Palace. We cannot let people pray in front of public institution over years cause it’ not rational at all.

Ok, thank you for sharing your opinion with us.