Ukraine’s Culture Minister Tetiana Bereżna will participate in the funeral of Volhynian massacre victims exhumed earlier this year in Puźniki, marking a symbolic gesture of solidarity amid historical differences.
Ukrainian Culture Minister to Attend the Burial of Volhynian Massacre Victims
On September 6, a burial ceremony for victims of the Volhynian massacre will take place in Puźniki, following their exhumation in May. Tetiana Bereżna, acting Minister of Culture of Ukraine, met with Polish parliamentarian Paweł Kowal in Kyiv on August 25 and confirmed her participation in the event. “This is a profound gesture of mutual respect, showing that even with differing views on historical events, we can unite in commemoration. It is not only a symbol but also concrete evidence of a dialogue that must continue,” Bereżna stated.
Paweł Kowal Comments on Meeting with Ukrainian Minister
After the Kyiv meeting, Kowal praised Bereżna’s commitment to cultural heritage and museum development in Ukraine’s reconstruction, emphasizing Poland’s interest in cooperation. He noted the meeting included “interesting and fruitful discussions with the Polish ambassador” and highlighted Ukraine’s progress in joint Polish-Ukrainian excavations and exhumations in the Tarnopil and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. Both ministers will participate in the ceremony for remains discovered during searches near the former village of Pużniki.
Exhumations in Puźniki
Puźniki is a non-existent village in the Tarnopil region. In April of this year, exhumations began in the area, involving 32 experts from the Szczecin Medical University, the Institute of National Remembrance, and the group “Volhynian Antiquities.” The team, led by Prof. Andrzej Ossowski from Szczecin, uncovered the remains of 42 people killed in 1945 by UPA units. “Analysis has confirmed the presence of at least 11 minors under 18, 16 women, and 10 men,” Ossowski said, citing findings by *Gazeta Wyborcza*. He described the site as a “sanitary pit rather than a grave, with remains simply hidden.” Among the remains, items such as medals and crosses were found, clearly indicating the victims were Poles.
Source: Gazeta, *Gazeta Wyborcza*
