“They died due to the fact that they were faithful to their homeland. It is thanks to them that we can live in free Poland. We owe them memory, respect and truth," wrote Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish in a letter that was read during the Katyń Crime Victims Memorial Day. The celebrations were held in front of the Katyń Museum in the Warsaw Citadel.
Sunday celebrations 86th Anniversary Katyn crime began with a field Mass and a three-time hit at the Katyń Bell. “The wound after the failure of loved ones is inactive unhealed,” Fr. Colonel SG pointed out in the homily at rest. – alternatively of sincere designation of guilt by the heirs of the highest russian government offices, it is inactive Keying, disputing and mistaking tactics On others. Only 1 who sincerely admits his evil, even though it is large and repugnant, can be forgiven," said the clergyman.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk sent a letter to the participants of the ceremony. "During this anniversary, we besides want to remember all those who have kept the fact about this crime for decades, despite bans and harassments," wrote the head of government. "For Poles it was a lesson of political realism and experience of loneliness," he added. The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the families of the victims who throughout this time nursed the memory of their loved ones and appealed for the truth.
Donald Tusk besides pointed out that memory of the Katyn crime requires from modern generations not only to pay tribute, but besides to commit to ancestors. "It must be promised to those who gave their lives in Katyn that Poland will never be alone again in confronting evil, lying, with injustice. It is our work in the name of this memory, strengthening Poland" - said the head of the government.
"For over 8 decades we have been mentioning officers of the Polish Army, officers of the State Police, Border Guard, Prison Service and intelligence representatives – all those who have been shot" - wrote Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, in a letter read by Paweł Zalewski, Secretary of State in the MON. "Today it is our work to keep the memory of the murdered. They died due to the fact that they were faithful to their homeland. It is thanks to them that we can live in free Poland. We owe them memory, respect and truth," added the head of the MON.
On behalf of families and relatives of murdered Polish officers, Izabella Sariusz-Skępska, president of the Katyń household Federation, appeared. She pointed out that anniversary celebrations are not only a time of quiet reflection, but besides a time of loud reproof of memory that is “not for sale”. In her opinion, this memory is now facing a fresh threat – commercialisation. We appeal to the Katyn families. Take care of your heritage, predicting who will take care of it and making certain that it knows how to do it," said Izabella Sariusz-Skąpska. According to the president of the Federation, besides many papers and memorabilia go to antiques and collectible auctions. – If you are looking for a safe place to take care of these items of conservationists, entrust them Katyn Museum She added and announced the efforts of the Federation of Katyń Families to save this material heritage.
In the spring of 1940, at the command of the KC WKP(b), NKVD officials murdered nearly 22 1000 Polish citizens, including pre-war officers of the Polish Army and the police who got into russian captivity. The aim was to destruct Polish pre-war elites. The executions were carried out in Katyn close Smolensk, but besides in Kharkov, Tver, Kiev and Minsk. April 13, 1943 Berlin radio It reported that the German army had found the graves of Polish officers who were murdered by the Soviets in Katyn. In memory of this event, the Day of Memory of the Victims of Katyn Crime was established.
