News

On the nearest Thursday, 17 September, Opole will host its commemorative celebration of the 87^th anniversary of the Soviet attack on Poland and observance of World Day of Siberian Exiles. This date for many years after the war was officially passed in silence and today reminds of the incursion of the Red Army into the territory of Poland and of the fate of thousands of people, whose lives changed dramatically afterwards.

The organizers, who extend their invitation to the event, are: Association of Siberian Exiles, Provincial Branch in Opole, Opole Voivode Monika Jurek and partner of the event – Central Museum of Prisoners of War. The celebration will begin at 11.00 a.m. with the Service in Holy Trinity Church of the Franciscans. At 12.00 p.m. the participants meet in Opole Town Square, in front of the plaque dedicated to the victims of deportations to Siberia in the years 1939–1956. The program of the event includes: singing of the National Anthem and hoisting the State Flag, celebrative speeches, Remembrance Appeal, Salute of Honour and Anthem of the Polish Armed Forces. The celebration will end with laying flowers.

As 13.30 p.m., in the Heraldic Hall of Opole Voivodeship Office, a lecture will be delivered by our colleague of the Research Department, Dr Kamil Weber, under the title “Fight without a war and crime without a punishment. Fates of Poles after 17 September 1939”. The lecture will cast light on the first moments following the Red Army’s aggression as well as the aftermath of the new order – repressions, arrests, deportations and forced displacements, which to many Poles meant the beginning of their long road to the East.

Details can be found in the invitation. We invite everybody to join us!