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National Independence Day (Polish: Narodowe Święto Niepodległości) is a national day in Poland celebrated on 11 November to commemorate the anniversary of the restoration of Poland's sovereignty as the Second Polish Republic in 1918, after 123 years of partition by the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia and the Habsburg Empire.

This photo was taken three years ago.
I made only two shots of this little guy supporting the leading edge of the Big Flag.
You've already seen the first one:



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Yashica T3 Super + Fujicolor Pro 400H

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Every time I remember this kid, especially when I look at the two photos with him, I start to recite the words of the Polish Child’s Confession of Faith by Władysław Bełza.

There is no proper, official English translation of the poem. It is more a nursery rhyme - hard to translate, to keep not only the meaning but also right choice of childlike words and overall melody of them. The best translation that I've found goes like that:


Who are you?
A Polish child.
What’s your emblem?
The eagle in white.

Where’s your home?
With my loved ones.
In what country?
In the Polish land.

What the land is?
My beloved home.
How was it won?
By scar and bloody yomp.

Do you love Her?
With my heart and soul.
What do you trust in?
In Poland – as a whole.

What are you?
Her grateful kid.
What should you do for Her?
To lay down my life indeed.

I was four when my parents taught me the rhyme.
I am sure that this little guy knows it by his heart, too.