Thousands of Poles have been waiting up to eight hours in queues to see the coffins of President Lech Kaczynski and the First Lady Maria Kaczynska which are laying in state at the Presidential Palace.

Thousands of Poles have been waiting up to eight hours in queues to see the coffins of President Lech Kaczynski and the First Lady Maria Kaczynska, photo: A.Skieterska

The queue, which stretches around 800 meters from the Royal Castle to the Presidential Palace, is formed by people who came to Warsaw from all parts of Poland. In order to pay tribute to the deceased presidential couple people are queuing on average for eight hours. Some have spent the night queuing.  

“I’ve been waiting since 23:00 CET but I don’t complain. It was important for me to be here,” says a woman in the queue. “People want to express their gratitude. It was our president, our beloved president, chosen by us, and we will always remember him,” says another woman who says that she will queue as long as it is necessary.  

The queue, which stretches around 800 meters from the Royal Castle to the Presidential Palace, is formed by people who came to Warsaw from all parts of Poland, photo: A.Skieterska

The gates of the Presidential Palace were open all night and will also be open tonight. Many of those who come to see the coffins of Lech and Maria Kaczynski pray, write condolences and put flowers and candles in front of the Palace.  

On Tuesday, former President Aleksander Kwasniewski, former PM Tadeusz Mazowiecki and representatives of the Polish and Lithuanian Parliaments paid tribute to Lech and Maria Kaczynski. (mg/pg)  

audio by Magda Jensen