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Today, March 17, in front of the Monument of Martyrdom of Prisoners-of-War in Łambinowice, was held a ceremony to mark the 77th anniversary of the liberation Stalag 344 Lamsdorf. The event, customarily, took place in front of the Monument of Martyrdom of Prisoners-of-War, and, additionally, at the site of the former Stalag 318/VIII F (344) Lamsdorf where a new educational exhibition, Place with a scar, was opened. The event was attended by many distinguished guests, including the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of  Culture and National Heritage.

The ceremony in front of the Monument of Martyrdom of Prisoners-of-War was commenced at 1 p.m., by speeches of Prof. Piot Gliński, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Culture and National Heritage, and Antoni Konopka, a member of the Self-government of Opole Province.

A prayer for the victims of Stalg 344 Lamsdorf was said by representatives of four religions: Rev. Maj. Radosław Mazur, Roman Catholic chaplain of the 10th Logistic Brigade in Opole, Grzegorz Cebulski, the priest of Orthodox Church Military Ordinariate of the Wrocław Garrison, Rev. Eneasz Kowalski, pastor of the Evangelical Parish in Pokój, and Dr Marek Moroń, representative of the Muslim Religious Association in Poland.

This part of the commemoration ended with laying wreaths lighting candles at the monument. It was done, among others, by representatives of government officials (including Deputy Prime Minister Piot Gliński, the Governor of Opole Province Sławomir Kłosowski, Magdalena Merta representing Jan Józef Kasprzyk - Head of the Office for War Veterans and Victims of Oppression, and Violetta Kozakiewicz - the Governor's Plenipotentiary for War Veterans and Victims of Opression), representatives of the diplomatic and consular corps: Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Opole Birgit Feisel-Rösle, Pro Consul of the Republic of Serbia in Warsaw Jelena Cvijanović, and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Serbia in Katowice Ranko Tomović, as well as Monika Kwiatosz – Honorary Consul of the Italian Republic in Wrocław. Additionally, clergymen, representatives of veterans circles, local authorities, uniform services, cultural and educational institutions, scientific institutions and organizations, school students with their teachers, and local residents. On behalf of the organisers, the bouquets were laid by the Mayor of Łambinowice Commune Tomasz Karpiński, and Dr. Violetta Rezler-Wasielewska, Director of the Museum.

The ceremony was assisted by soldiers from the 91st Logistics Battalion in Komprachcice. It was commented for the participants by Dr. Anna Wickiewicz, Head of the Department of Education and Exhibitions of the CMJW.

The second part of the event, already at the site of the former Stalag 318/VIII F (344) Lamsdorf, was proceeded by lighting candles at the Monument to the Warsaw Insurgents – Prisoners-of-War of Stalag 344 Lamsdorf, and inaugurated the opening of the educational exposition entitled Place with a scar. The attendees listened to a speech of the director of the Museum, dr. Violetta Rezler-Wasielewska, followed by the guided visit to the exposition in groups.

At the invitation of our Museum, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Professor Piotr Gliński visited Opole. During his visit he was the guest in both our seats, Opole and Łambinowice, as well as called on the two government-run institutions: the State Archive, and the Silesian Institute.