99 years ago, a photo from Lvivska, West

Photographer's Note

November 11th is recognized in Europe as the end of the World War I. It is also celebrated as the Polish Independence Day, since after about 120 years being divided between Russia, Prussia and Austria, Poland became independent again. As you can imagine, the new borders were not created smoothly.

Austria-Hungary, which ceased to exist, had a very diverse ethnicity. Have a look at this map which well illustrates how many different nations were part of that empire. If you pay attention to the north east corner of that map you will notice that the city of Lviv makes a clear purple (Polish) dot surrounded by an orange (Ukrainian) area.
At the end of the World War I, when the Austro-Hungarian empire collapsed, the Austrian army in Lviv wanted Ukrainians to take over the control of the city. As a result, in October 1918 several thousands of Ukrainian soldiers were stationed in the city, while all Polish soldiers were sent away far away from Lviv.
On November 1, 1918, the Ukrainian Military Committee, with the help of Ukrainian soldiers from the Austrian regiments captured the most important public buildings in Lviv. At the same time two Polish points of resistance were spontaneously formed. Poles constituting the overwhelming majority of the Lviv population (60% of Poles, 30% of Jews, 10% of Ukrainians) could not accept that the predominantly Polish city may become Ukrainian. A lot of very young people spontaneously started to create small units which on their own led guerrilla warfare. Of the defenders of Lviv one was only 9 years old, seven were 10.
The battle has been won and Lviv was for the next 21 years Polish again.

The photo presents the Cemetery of the Defenders of Lwów (Polish: Cmentarz Obrońców Lwowa, Cmentarz Orląt, Cemetery of Eaglets, Orlat Cemetery). The complex is a part of the city's historic Lychakiv Cemetery. There are about 3000 graves in that part of the cemetery.

Tue, worldcitizen, PiotrF, COSTANTINO, PMH, jhm, Fis2, tyro, sacimar, alvaraalto, papagolf21, ikeharel, danos, ChrisJ, Cricri, macjake, cornejo, adramad has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Tue (93296) 2017-11-10 12:45

Hello Mariusz,
An excellent photo of this cemetery. I like the symmetry, the grave is very well included in the immediate foreground. The light is very pleasant as well. A very informative note as well about this history of Lviv.
Lars

jimmj63 (0) 2017-11-10 14:37

ciao Mariusz
very usefull shot and note. very well composed
ciao, Giacomo

carlo62 (81265) 2017-11-10 15:54

Ciao Mariusz
questa è una condivisone interessante e commovente.
Le persone che hanno perso la vita in questo episodio storico hanno contribuito a fare il mondo che oggi conosciamo, che non è perfetto, non è immune da errori, ma è sicuramente migliore di allora.
Buon we
Carlo

PiotrF (55822) 2017-11-10 17:20

Czesc Mariusz
Ciekawa prezentacja z tego cmentarza i dobra ntatka przyblizajaca troche historie miasta, rejonu.
Jak ogladam twoje kolejne posty z Lwowa to coraz bardziej nabieram przekonania ze musze miasto przypomniec sobie :)
pozdrawiam
Piotr

COSTANTINO (117652) 2017-11-10 22:16

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
a happy new day and weekend
one shot is one thousand words
thanks for your useful notes aboth this
day 11th November recognized in Europe
as the end of the World War and celebrated
as the Polish Independence day
welldone honor to the heroos
regards
Costantino

jemaflor (148094) 2017-11-10 23:37

Hi Mariusz,
Good idea for today your photo about this historic end of the World war. Well framed, good depth result with this FG, impressive monument, tfs.

emka (158672) 2017-11-11 0:03

cześc Mariusz, Bardzo dobra historyczna notka i ciekawe zdjęcie z Cmentarza Orląt. Cmentarze wojenne są bardzo smutne, tyle bohaterskich młodych ludzi tam leży, ale atrakcyjne dla fotografa ze względu na uporządkowanie geometryczne grobów. Fantastyczna symetria. Świetny wybór na dzisiejsze święto.

Pozdrawiam Małgorzata

jhm (211738) 2017-11-11 0:49

Hello Mariusz,

Indeed today 99 year ago that Great war was over, Belgium and North France where the big victims fell with poison gas.
Every year I go here regional to the celebrations.
Nice panorama view about the area.
Sharpness and clarity be perfect.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

Fis2 (171789) 2017-11-11 0:50

Czesc Mariusz!
Widze, ze wiele sie zmienilo, pieknie zadbany cmentarz.
Symboliczne zdjecie, robi wrazenie.
Super kadr, kolory i ostrsc.
Podoba sie.
Milego dnia.
Pozdrawiam!
Krzysztof

tyro (30513) 2017-11-11 2:58

Hello Mariusz,

You have, as always, written a very well researched and informative note and also provided us with a beautiful photograph of this military cemetery in Lviv.

I love your fine symmetrical composition which serves to accentuate the size and extent of this cemetery and I like how we see, in the foreground, those same candles and coloured glass lanterns which you have shown us before. Lovely light and colours and exceptional details and clarity.

Excellent!

Kind Regards,

John.

sacimar (38173) 2017-11-11 8:22

Hello Mariusz,

good image of this cemetery, it is a good way to remember what happened 99 years ago, I like the composition showing this historic place, well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

lousat (139906) 2017-11-11 10:07

Hi Mariusz,every village has its memorial of the deads of the 1st world war,and this is very big,dedicate to the defender of Lviv. A perfect capture made in postcard style made in the usual excellent quality,interesting note and map. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

alvaraalto (42804) 2017-11-12 7:49

Hello Mariusz
Beautiful picture of the cemetery of the Defenders of Lwow. A worthy place to memorize the history and its victims.
Your picture and your comprehensive note are an excellent, high quality presentation of this place.
Groet Rob

papagolf21 (152607) 2017-11-12 22:55

Bonjour, cher Mariusz,
Très bel hommage rendu à travers cette composition.
Le choix du cadrage est parfait pour restituer la beauté de l'édifice en arrière-plan.
Très bonne journée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

gervaso (28381) 2017-11-13 1:59

Hello, Mariusz!

I suppose next year there will be a great event there for the 100 years! Beautiful architecture in the background, and the colorful flowers in the foreground give more colors and very good depth to the composition! Wonderful job!

ikeharel (114435) 2017-11-13 7:21

Chosen a symmetric POV towards the main edifice, and gave excellent scale by the people on the very far façade, Mariusz.
Fine clear photo, depth and light were just perfect.
Good afternoon,
Ike

danos (110407) 2017-11-13 8:02

Witaj Mariusz,
nice the view of the Cemetery of the Defenders of Lwów,with the tomb on the foreground and the building on the backdrop to dominating the scene.
Informative your note about the 99 years of all these events with my best wishes go with you as you return to your suffering country.

Regards,Danos

ChrisJ (172372) 2017-11-14 4:26

Hello Mariusz,

Lviv is undoubtedly proud of its Polish roots. Good symmetrical shot of the cemetery with lots of nationalist red and white colors visible. Excellent sharpness and framing. Tfs!

Cricri (176) 2017-11-14 9:39

Hi Mariusz
Un bel hommage rendu aux victimes, quel tristesse ce cimetière avec ces 3000 tombes....
Bien présenter avec la tombe fleuries, la lumière, bonne note info
Belle soirée
cricri

macjake (98544) 2017-11-14 10:14

Hi Mariusz
here in Canada we celebrate Nov 11th as Remembrance Day.
A National Holiday for us here in Canada.
You show us a fine tribute photo of this cemetery, along with an excellent note of historical importance. smart choice with this pov, makes it stand out so well. cheers
Craig

cornejo (61504) 2017-11-14 11:26

Witaj Mariusz, very good view of this interesting cemetery, very well composed and captured in this good and beautiful picture. An interesting image, with good sharpness, depth, light, color and quality. Very good and beautiful work perfectly done, my congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this interesting work.

Good night and happy week.
All the best from the south of Spain.
Angel.

adramad (73376) 2017-11-16 9:20

Hello Mariusz.
An interesting note about the history of the last century, in this part of Europe, this part of the cemetery has very symmetrical proportions and an elegant design, very good perspective.
Very nice color, which together with the good management of sharpness and lighting, gives great relief to the image.
Well done. I like.
You have a good day.
Very best regards
Luis.

omid266 (6816) 2020-02-11 20:04

Hello Mariusz,
An informative shot and post from this historic day,
Well show the place with nice view point,
Have a nice day and Thanks for sharing,
God bless you,Amen,
Kind regards,
Omid