Incident at Rakowicki Cemetery
On the night of July 5, the grave of Ukrainian writer Bohdan Lepky was damaged at Rakowicki Cemetery in Krakow, Poland. A bas-relief was stolen from the tombstone, which raised serious concern among Ukrainian officials. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine considers this act a provocation aimed at inciting hostility between Ukraine and Poland.
The incident occurred on the night of July 5 at Rakowicki Cemetery, where Bohdan Lepky's burial site is located. The writer passed away on July 21, 1941, in Krakow and was buried in the crypt of Ignacy Szydzicki in field XXXIV of this necropolis. The tombstone belonging to Lepky has an inscription in Ukrainian: 'Bohdan Lepky sings'. The bas-relief, created by sculptor Hryhorii Petsukh, was installed in 1972, but it has now disappeared. This site holds special cultural significance for both Polish and Ukrainian audiences, as Lepky is one of the key figures in early 20th-century Ukrainian literature.
Reaction and Consequences
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry representative Heorhii Tykhyi noted:
'We consider this act of vandalism a deliberate provocation aimed at further inciting hostility between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland.'He also emphasized his expectation for a swift clarification of all circumstances surrounding the incident, holding those responsible accountable under Polish laws, and the adoption of effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ukrainian Consulate General in Krakow appealed to the police, the cemetery administration, and the city authorities with a demand to conduct an investigation. Photographs of the damaged tombstone appeared on the internet, and information about the grave was disclosed by Facebook user Ihor Monchuk, who expressed his outrage: 'Pain.'
This incident highlights the necessity of preserving cultural heritage and the memory of outstanding personalities, such as Bohdan Lepky, for the Ukrainian people. The act of vandalism at the cemetery raised alarm not only among Ukrainian officials but also within broader society, which could impact Ukrainian-Polish relations. The investigation of this incident will be a test of the readiness of Polish authorities to protect cultural heritage and maintain friendly relations with Ukraine.