President Andrzej Duda gave a speech at the Shrine of the NMP of the Star of fresh Evangelization and St John Paul II in Toruń on the occasion of the National Day of Memory of Poles saving Jews under German occupation. "Despite this incredible threat..., it turned out that there were not tens, not hundreds, but hundreds of thousands, and as any estimate, even about 1 million of those who became more or little active in helping Jews during planet War II as Poles, due to the fact that many Jews were saved by Poles," said president Duda.
The president takes part in the ceremony of unveiling further names on the Memorial Tables dedicated to the murdered Poles saving Jews under German business in the Memorial Chapel at the Shrine of the fresh Evangelization Star NMP and St John Paul II in Toruń. On 24 March, the National Memorial Day is celebrated for Poles saving Jews under German occupation.
86 years ago, on September 1, 19139, 1 of the most hard cards in the past of our homeland, the Republic of Poland, but besides our nation, began. (...) The attack of Nazi Germany first and later Russia on Poland (...) ended the period of existence of Poland, which we call the Second Republic of Poland, which at the time of its rebirth in 1918 (...) was inactive Poland of many nations, and in fact 2 people – the Polish nation, but besides Jews, with whom we lived together for almost a 1000 years.
— reminded the president Andrzej Duda.
It can be boldly said that this highly long period of our history, which we number from the baptism of Poland, by the vast majority was co-created here by us and by Jews, who over the centuries have been arriving on our land, invited by the rulers of Poland. Jews who performed many important, useful roles in our country
“the head of state pointed out.
1939 proved to be highly terrible in the past of not only our nation and country, but in the past of the world, and above all of the judaic people. Well, Germans subjected to the mad Nazi ideology, led by the madly hateful and any kind of imperial mania of Adolf Hitler, decided to destruct the judaic nation, destruct it at all among the nations of the world, and began what was later called the Holocaust, and in fact meant the extermination of the judaic people.
“the president said.
We Poles, our great-grandparents, grandparents, fathers, were then in a hard situation, a trap. On the 1 hand, their judaic neighbors were taken and murdered in front of them. On the another hand, Germany rapidly decided to introduce extremist measures and, above all, the death punishment for helping Jews. The death punishment that threatened all Poles. It was something peculiar in the German-occupied Europe. This was not the case in Western Europe. The death punishment was threatened not only for those who straight helped but besides for his family.
said Andrzej Duda.
It is easy to tell many people present who look at those tragic events, why there was no help, why it was not common. I always say this and emphasize (..) – I am curious how you would behave if it were found that, for the aid of your neighbor, your household is threatened with the death penalty, that they will not only kill you, but besides your wife and children.
“He added.
And yet, despite this incredible threat... it turned out that there were not tens, not hundreds, but hundreds of thousands, and as any estimate, even about 1 million of those who became more or little active during planet War II in helping Jews being Poles, due to the fact that many Jews were saved by Poles
“The head of state pointed out.
President Duda besides recalled the tragic past of the Ulmów household from Markowa.
Thank you, too, for being the place where young people can come today. Not only our countrymen – Poles, but besides those who come from another parts of the world. They can see that there is memory and that it was worth fighting for dignity, and that it was never allowed to quit dignity and accept that it was trampled on
“the president said.
Today's celebrations in Toruń are besides attended by Vice Ambassador of Israel in Poland Bosmat Baruch and president of the Institute of National Memory, supported by PiS presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki.
The Memorial Chapel was founded on the initiative of the manager of Radio Maryja o. Tadeusz Rydzyk. It was built, like the full sanctuary, according to the concept of architect Andrzej Rycz.
In the chapel in front of the entrance there is an altar symbolizing the sacrifice of life offered by Poles for their rescued fellows and the figure of Our Lady. On the wall behind the altar there are granite plaques with names of Poles saving Jews and the inscription taken from the Gospel according to St John: “There is no greater love than erstwhile individual gives his life for his friends.”
Next to the sanctuary is the Memorial Park, where the names of 33,000 Poles saving Jews who survived the Second planet War were placed on the posts.
Memorial Day – at the initiative of president Andrzej Duda – was established in 2018 by Parliament as an expression of worship for all Polish citizens – regardless of their nationality, who helped Jews subjected to genocide by German occupiers. The choice of date refers to the day erstwhile Germans murdered the Ulmów household in Markowa (today's Podkarpackie Voivodeship). On 24 March 1944, Joseph Ulma, his pregnant wife Victoria, their six underage children, as well as 8 hidden by the Polish household of Jews from the Didners, Grünfelds and Goldmans families, died.
tcwl/PAP
