News

Today, on 17 September, in Opole, there was held a celebration in commemoration of the 87^th anniversary of the Soviet attack on Poland. Among the participants there were representatives of the authorities, Association of Siberian Exiles, institutions and organizations engaged in preserving memory of victims of the Soviet repressions, and also residents of Opole. Our Museum was a partner of the event that was organized by Opole Voivode, Ms. Monika Jurek, and the Association of Siberian Exiles, Provincial Branch in Opole.

After the Holy Mass celebrated in Holy Trinity Church of the Franciscans, the participants moved to the Town Square. The Remembrance Appeal was held at the plaque commemorating victims of the deportations to Siberia in the years 1939–1956, Salute of Honour was fired and flowers were laid. That was a moment of common remembrance of those whose lives changed irretrievably following the 17^th of September 1939.

Next, the participants of the event met at the Heraldic Hall of Opole Voivodeship Office, where Deputy Director of our Museum, Ms. Renata Kobylarz-Buła, delivered the lecture entitled “Fight without a war and crime without a punishment. Fates of Poles after 17 September 1939”. She told about the first weeks of the Soviet occupation, and also about repressions, arrests and deportations, which were shared by thousands of Poles. The lecture was received with a great deal of interest on the part of the present, including a numerous group of youth representing different schools based in Opole Region.

This day did not lack in visits to the seat of our Museum in Opole. Many persons made use of the opportunity of participating in a curator-led visit to the exhibition called “All inclusive. The Odyssey of Lieutenant Stanisław Andres 1939–1947”, presenting the vicissitudes of the title hero in captivity in the Soviet Union and in the Polish Army led by General Władysław Anders.