The Airborne commemoration in Driel can count on the presence of a special guest. Besides the Ambassadors of Poland, Great Britain, Canada, United States and Australia, the Ukrainian Ambassador will also be present this year.
Arno Baltussen, chairman of the Driel-Poland Foundation: “We are particularly honoured by the presence of the Ukrainian Ambassador. What many do not know is that some of our Polish heroes come from a part of Poland that today belongs to Ukraine – and where human dignity is currently being violated inhumanely hard. That makes it very special that Mr Karasevych is in our midst.”

Livestream
The commemoration will be held on Saturday 16th September at the Polenplein in Driel, starting at 3 p.m. For those who cannot attend but would like to follow the commemoration online, we have prepared a broadcast, please can go to local broadcaster RN7’s website: www.rn7.nl.

About the commemoration

Since 1946, a commemoration for the commitment of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade and its contribution to the Battle of Arnhem has been held every year in Driel in September.

Arno Baltussen: “The brigade’s deployment was essential for, among other things, the escape of 2,400 soldiers from the Oosterbeek perimeter and ultimately for us, for our freedom.”

On 26th August 2023, the Driel-Poland Foundation received yet another Polish award for its years of extraordinary efforts and dedication in keeping the story of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade alive.