
Conference on ‘The Upper Silesian Tragedy of 1945 in School Education’ - report
An interesting event of an educational and commemorative nature time took place at the Museum building in Łambinowice on 22 January this year. It was a conference on the Upper Silesian Tragedy that was organised by us in association with the Opole-based Silesian Institute. The event has been initiated by Joanna Raźniewska, Opole Voivodeship Superintendent of Schools, who participated in it until the very end.
Before the start of the conference itself, a symbolic commemoration of the victims took place at the Monument to the Martyrdom of Prisoners-of-War and at the Cemetery of the Victims of the Labour Camp in Łambinowice. In addition, during the bus journey from Opole, the attendees were given a brief introduction to the history of the Site of National Remembrance in Łambinowice by Dr. Michał Jakubik. Later, they still had the opportunity to complement their knowledge during the screening of the museum educational film.
The conference brought together more than 50 teachers of various subjects from all over the voivodeship, as well as a group of history students with Marek Białokur, Associate Professor of the University of Opole, in charge. Also in attendance were local government officials and policymakers: Monika Jurek, Voivode of the Opole Voivodeship, Zbigniew Kubalańca, Deputy Marshal of the Opole Voivodeship, Tomasz Karpiński, Mayor of the Łambinowice Commune. There was also a number of officials from the Opole Superintendent's Office - school inspectors, who during the conference had the opportunity to take on the unusual role of participants in educational activities, thanks to showcase workshops which complemented the conference programme. The workshops were given by Dorota Whitten and Maja Zabokrzycka from the House of Peace foundation.
The meeting was opened with speeches by Dr. Violetta Rezler-Wasielewska, Museum Director, Dr. Bartosz Kuświk, Director of the Silesian Institute in Opole, Monika Jurek, Voivode of the Opole Voivodeship, Zbigniew Kubalańca, Deputy Marshall of the Opole Voivodeship, and Joanna Raźniewska, Opole Voivodeship Superintendent of Schools. Other speeeches were given by Dr. Renata Kobylarz-Buła and Dr. Anna Czerner, representatives of the Museum, as well as Dr. Bartosz Kuświk and Dr. Sebastian Rosenbaum from the Katowice Branch of the Institute of National Remembrance.
We would like to express our thanks for your active participation and discussions afterwards as well as invite you to view the photo gallery.