There are so many unsung heroes in the battles that took place all over Mother Earth, yet it seems to me that the Polish People do tend to keep the memory of their heroes longer alive. There are a myriad of books about them, songs that are sung, events that are hosted (especially with the remembrance days related to World War II) and I thought I might share with you some stories about some really remarkable characters. Today I wish to share with you the story of an amazing Polish Woman: Jadwiga Piłsudska.
The Daughter of a HERO
Jadwiga Piłsudska-Jaraczewska (born 28 February 1920) is a pilot, who served in the Air Transport Auxiliary during the Second World War. She is the one of two daughters of Marshal and Naczelnik Józef Piłsudski. And if you have no clue who Piłsudski is… well… I have no clue under what rock you have been under!
He was the person responsible for the creation of the Second Republic of Poland in 1918, 123 years after it had been taken over by Russia, Austria, and Prussia. He was a man that made miracles happen! He devoted his entire life to the service of his country, Poland, and he always wanted to make sure the Red Army would not come back. Józef Piłsudski was buried in a crypt of the Wawel Cathedral in Kraków, among Polish kings. His daughter surely had one hell of a fatherly figure to look up to!
Jadwiga, learning to fly (age 17)
Born and raised for Greatness
Born on the 20th of February 1920 – in Warsaw, Poland – she was the youngest daughter of the Marshal Józef Piłsudski. She must have heard and seen so many stories from her father and the people visiting, that her true spirit awoken and she decided she will carve her own path in history. Thus, in 1937, Jadwiga started flying gliders and obtained her pilot license. Her interest in aviation began at the age of 12 when she began building model airplanes, so the career path she chose was not a surprise. 2 years later, she graduated from secondary school and decided to study aircraft engineering at Warsaw Polytechnic – that was the year 1939!
September 1939 – Poland gets invaded by the German Nazis and we see the beginning of World War II. Jadwiga and her family realize that under such circumstances the best decision is to leave the country as soon as possible, in order to live and fight another day. Jadwiga, her sister (Wanda), and her mother get to Lithuania first and then to the United Kingdom; where Jadwiga resumes her studies. In 1940 she enrolls at Newnham College, Cambridge University.
The trip is not without its ups and downs… They managed to get to Riga, from where one of the last scheduled airplanes released from Lithuania flew to Stockholm. From the capital of Sweden, organized by the Polish Embassy, they set off to Great Britain, where they were looked after by Ambassador Edward Raczyński.
Up in the clouds
Jadwiga Piłsudska receives her aircraft pilot license and in July 1942 she joins the Air Transport Auxiliary. During wartime in Britain, she flew unarmed military aircraft in the dangerous skies of that time – she had the rank of Second Officer (Flying Officer). She was one of the several Polish women who served as wartime ferry pilots in Britain during the Second World War – alongside Anna Leska and the Lithuanian-Pole Barbara Wojtulanis. In an opinion issued by British superiors in November 1943, she was rated as “an extremely promising pilot with above-average skill.”
Due to the Communist takeover in Poland, she remained in England after the War, as a political émigré. Jadwiga has never accepted British citizenship. She used a Nansen passport, valid for all countries in the world, except Poland.
In 1990, with the collapse of the Communist government, she returned to Poland and lived in Warsaw. She died on 16 November 2014, in Warsaw at the age of 94. May God rest her in peace!
NOTE: The Cross of Merit with Swords is awarded for deeds of bravery and valor during times of war not connected with direct combat, and for merit demonstrated in perilous circumstances. The Order of Polonia Restituta (Polish: Order Odrodzenia Polski, English: Order of the Rebirth of Poland) is a Polish state order established 4 February 1921. It is conferred on both military and civilians as well as on foreigners for outstanding achievements in the fields of education, science, sport, culture, art, economics, national defense, social work, civil service, or for furthering good relations between countries.
Hope you enjoyed Jadwiga’s story and I hope you will start looking into her story more yourself 🙂
Shtisel – an Israeli TV show about an ultra-Orthodox Jewish family – should definitely be on your list of the “Must See” Series on Netflix. If you have not heard about it before, you should, and this is why I am writing this post. It may not be Krakow-related as I have got you used to, but I really wanted to share this with you!
It is the most down-to-earth series I have seen in a very long while. It shows life as it is – not on fast-forwards but rather the small paced of communities that put family first. Shtisel deals with the drama of the everyday, family life – without curtains closed – and shows the true grief that people can carry with them. There is also love and hope, but all in contrast… with the darkness that also lives within us. So without any further ado, let me tell you my 10 Reasons why I think you should watch this fine series!
1. Because Shira Haas plays Ruchama Weiss to perfection!
You need a bit of background on this one… I loved this little lady from Season 1 of Shtisel and then I ended up searching for more works of hers. She also plays in Unorthodox (as Esty), another series that should be on your list! At the very early age of only 2 years old, she was diagnosed with kidney cancer… In one interview she mentions that living in a hospital at such a young age made her have an old soul – a thing you can see in all of the above-mentioned roles she played. She is a small little lady, cancer stunting her growth… yet there is so much strength in her and her acting, that in each scene she is in, she shines bright!
I was not aware of it, even if her face did look familiar, that I had previously seen her before in The Zookeeper’s Wife – in which she portrays a survivor of the Holocaust. She somewhat reminds me of a younger version of Natalie Portman – which is funny, because I have just found out that she is one of Shira Haas’s idols 🙂 Anyway… back to our sheep: Shira Haas plays Ruchama Weiss (Ruchami) and her old soul shines throughout each shot she is on screen. Her caring for her little brothers, her writing the letters so they won’t feel that their father is actually gone, her having this strong sense of justice and what is wrong/right, her love and sacrifice for her family, her ideas on how she can make life better for her family… her energy and her patience… all are examples of what a truly good person would look and act like.
Season 3 is particularly heartbreaking for me, as Shira delivers an amazing performance as a mother-to-be. She is diagnosed with a disease that would put both her and the future baby in danger if she were to get pregnant. We even see, later on in the season how she even had to deal with the loss of her firstborn. Her struggles, her love for her unborn child is heartbreaking. A bit of a SPOILER ALERT! here… but when she realizes she is pregnant again and that her life is in danger, she starts recording her thoughts first in a diary “for her unborn daughter” and then she starts recording on cassettes messages for her, that she would have for each of her birthdays or special moments in time (like her Bat Mitzvah – her coming of age). If you don’t tear up at those scenes… let me know!
Akiva’s true love… – a painting specially commissioned for SHTISEL
2. For Akiva – a true reflection of an artist
“With his melancholic green eyes and dreamy smile, Akiva Shtisel, the star of the show, is by far the handsomest Orthodox Jewish man I have ever seen.” – the author of this article could not be more right! From Season 1 I believed that the main character of the series was him… my thoughts slightly shifted and then I put both him and his sister (Giti) and Ruchami as the trio of main characters. Or maybe this is just my humble opinion, as they were my favorite ones… Could be one or the other 🙂
Akiva is the true artistic soul, that goes through trials and tribulations in order to understand himself and the world around him. He makes you drag him out of the TV screen and take him for a cup of tea in order for him to tell you his problems. He is sensitive, caring, and has so much to offer to the world. He lives both in the human plane but also in the land of shadows – his connection to his mum and dear wife is just unsettling, but it does make sense when you love someone as much as he did.
3. For the words of wisdom
One of the things (scenes) stuck in my head from Season 1 is the image of Akiva (Kive) and his father, riding the bus. They are trying to get Akiva to the Yeshiva (to study the Talmud and Torah) and this is their first outing outside of their strict religious community. He gets to go by bus, in public transport, where he sees women with exposed legs and even a mother breastfeeding. Cut scene to his father, that realizes what is going on and the temptations that may befall Kive: “You know what, Kive, when I was your age, and your grandfather took me to town, he used to do this thing to help me,” the father says. “He would remove his glasses and put them on me. That way he couldn’t see well and neither could I. Shall we try it?” – better not see the temptation than to give in on it 😉
Shtisel – screengrab from the series
4. The Romantic Longing
Well… what is so particularly fascinating about this series is the fact that is so relatable. Even if it is just the story of a Haredi family living in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of Jerusalem, it is also a life story: a story about family, about love, about suffering, and about romantic longing. It is a gentle story set in modern times, yet in a society where strict rules prevail. You cannot fall in love with anyone and marry just like that: there must be a matchmaker, a public outing, and the acceptance of both families. You cannot risk straying from the lines of women must make babies and keep the house & men must make the money but read Talmud and Torah and put rules first. You cannot even buy a smartphone as that would be taboo – significant of you wanting to have money and break the rules.
Let us set some things straight: I had read that Jews do not get engaged on the first, 2nd or even the 3rd date. The dating takes place for several months until both parties are sure of the match. During that time the young couple is not allowed to touch at all! After they get married, they can 😉 but the bottom line idea for the engagement period is to get to know each other better and also know the families and friends of the other person. Also, a broken engagement is not shameful – as depicted on Shtisel (eg. Kive).
5. Because it is so similar (in taste) with “Fiddler on the Roof”
How is that? Well… It is similar as it also brings to life a common human story: the triumph of love – on all levels: romantic, family and friendship-wise. Shtisel – the father – reminds me so much of Tevye! The “Fiddler on the Roof” also talks about the traditional way the Jews are bound to the way they lead their lives. I will say no more, but I am curious if you will also see the similarities 🙂
6. Tradings years / trading lifes
This is related to an episode in Season 3 that marked me… Yosa’le, Akiva’s young nephew, is walking with his prospective bride. Her father is sick, in hospital. She explains to Yosa’le that she would gladly give years from her life to her father, so they would spend more time together so that her father would live longer. Yosa’le shows her then the butterflies (they were in a museum) and refers to the fact that even though they live just one day, they are preserved there forever, giving them thus… “eternal life”.
Season 3 is strong, powerful in the feelings it evokes. We start the season by seeing Akiva doing a painting of his wife, only to learn a bit later on that she is dead… that he sees her when he is painting and this is how he keeps her memory alive. This is how he keeps her alive… He does not even wish to sell the paintings as these are paintings of HER, and he is being afraid (and he is not willing) to move on from that. After all… the dead are always with us…
LONELY MAN of art: Akiva – photo from YES STUDIO – SHTISEL
7. Where does art end and life start?
This question comes also from the point above, related to Akiva, but it is brought even earlier than Season 3 😉 In the first season of Shitsel, we get introduced to Shulem’s mother (Akiva’s granny). She is one of a kind lady – you will instantly love her! In one of the climactic moments of Season 1, we find out that besides praying for the Shtisel family (children, grandchildren, and grand-grandchildren), she also was saying Tehillim (psalms of healing) for the characters of one of the American soap operas she was watching. For her, these fictional characters were actually as real as her own family members.
8. Always look back when going forward
Throughout the series, when you look at the families, you can see clearly that they are all big, with many children. The women are there for the family, for procreation and the men are there to provide, but also – more important – to study God’s words. As the series also says, at a certain point, it is important to have children for them. As in “Unorthodox” (series by Netflix), it is clear that the Jewish community does that as an act of long-term revenge on the Holocaust and the action of the German Nazis. They will make children in order to replace the lives that were stolen during the Second World War. They cannot move forward without looking back.
9. Changes can creep in, even without you wanting it!
Few people like changes, and if you come from a traditional environment it is even harder to accept them. This is why I love the relationship showed between Akiva’s brother, Zvi Arye, and his wife. Now that is an unlikely match… As said before, women should focus on the house and raising kids. They can, of course, have a job… but it should be something proper and not shameful. So when she decided to take driving lessons, then passes them… it is the time when Zvi Arye finds out. His shock is double as he also finds out that she plans to buy a car!
The man is the head of the house…. so how does that compute with changes coming in? You will have to watch it and see the drama 🙂 It is indeed fun to watch!
10. The ending lesson
In the final episode, Shulem Shtisel is sitting with Akiva (his son) and Nuchem (his brother) at the table, after a big fight. He quotes the great author Isaac Bashevis Singer: “The dead don’t go anywhere. They’re all here. Each man is a cemetery. An actual cemetery, in which lie all our grandmothers and grandfathers, the father and mother, the wife, the child. Everyone is here all the time.” — We get a wide-angle shot of the whole room, where both the dead and the living sit at the same table, eating and laughing merrily. After all… we are all here (both the dead and the living) – just in different planes…
During the Second World War, Krakow was ruled by the Third Reich. What were the streets and squares like in 1939-1944? How was life in the city? See photos from the German album “Krakau” published in 1944.
Burgstrasse. This was the name of today’s Grodzka Street during the German occupation – reproduction by Adam WojnarView on Floriańska Street (Floriangasse) – reproduction by Adam WojnarView of Wawel from the tower of St. Mary’s Church – reproduction by Adam WojnarSt. Adalbert on the Main Square – reproduction by Adam WojnarThe Town Hall (Rathausturm) on the Main Market Square was much larger back in the Second World War – reproduction by Adam WojnarThird Reich soldier with the view of Wawel Cathedral in the back – reproduction by Adam WojnarThe current building of the Main Post Office. Above its entrance, a black eagle holding a swastika, i.e. the emblem of the Third Reich – reproduction by Adam Wojnar
For more photos of Krakow 1944, I suggest also looking up this article from Gazeta Krakowska (in the Polish language).
A while back I was writing an article on my former blog page about the fact that we should not use the wording “Polish Death Camps”. I still stand by this idea and I firmly believe that the people referring to concentration camps run by Nazis should refer to them as “German Death Camps in Poland”.
Auschwitz I Memorial
Warsaw VS Krakow – Whom to spare?
When the German Occupation hit Poland and the Nazis were searching for places to build their Death Camps they choose Poland, as Poland is the heart of Europe – DEAD CENTER on the map. Back when the occupation started in 1939, the borders of Poland were very different than they are now and the closest city to the border with Germany was actually Krakow, a couple of hours away.
When the Polish Government looked upon what could be spared and whatnot, they agreed that they should first allow the Nazi to take over Krakow, so the city and its inhabitants would be safe – not as much can be said about Warsaw, that put up a great fight and was torn to the ground approximately 90%, no stone being unturned.
Auschwitz – Birkenau – Poland
Polish Army barracks turned into slaughtering houses…
Krakow manages to maintain its old-time beauty, though it also faced horrible horrors in its wake. When the Nazis build Auschwitz – the most well known Death Camp of the Holocaust – they chose Oswiecim. Oswiecim was a remote village, so they would do their horrible deeds without being watched. It was previously a Polish Army barracks but nowadays nobody mentions that anymore…
Auschwitz – Poland
Nazi Germany wanted to destroy Poland
The purpose of the Nazis was to destroy Poland, enslave it’s people and take the land – make Germany bigger and stronger in the process. They did not plan the same as they did in France or Norway where they created governments that would collaborate with the German one.
By the end of World War II, 6 million Polish people have been murdered, including 3 million Jews (almost half of the Jews killed during the Holocaust). In February 2018, the president of Poland signed legislation making it a crime to suggest that Poland bore any responsibility for the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany. This has infuriated certain historians and the Israeli government.
The law has 2 parts:
1) outlaws the phrase “Polish Death Camps” – even scholars agree the term is very misleading, considering the fact that the camps were built and controlled by Nazi Germany;
2) it is a crime – punishable by a fine of up to 3 years in prison – to accuse “the Polish nation” of complicity in the Holocaust and other Nazi atrocities.
Auschwitz Memorial – Oswiecim, Poland
What do Israeli people think of the law?
Naftali Bennett, Israel’s education minister, criticized the law: “The blood of Polish Jews cries from the ground, and no law will silence it”.
On another hand, Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, formally recognized more than 6700 gentiles in Poland as “righteous among the nations” because they risked their lives to save the Jews – more so than ANY other country in Europe! The estimates suggest that up to 35000 Polish Jews may have been saved through their efforts. The Center made an official statement saying that the term “Polish Death Camps” was without a doubt a historical misinterpretation, but they cannot agree with the second part of the law, erasing all blame from Poland.
Listen to this and let me know in the comments what you think!
What do I believe?
I believe that the Polish state was not complicit to the horrors of the Holocaust, yet that many Polish people are to blame for the acts that they carried out. Each story has its light and dark side, it’s heroes and it’s foes. We do have righteous people who have saved many Jews, yet we also have Polish people that blew covers, picked on Jewish people out of the darkness of their heart, or simply by trying to protect their lives, family, or their assets. They chose themselves over others, but whom are we to judge – would we have done the same, given the situation? You can’t know for a fact, can’t you?!
Auschwitz I – the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign at the entrance
#DidYouKnow that Poland was the only country where if you would have hidden a Jews and you would be found out, both the Jews, yourself, and your family would be immediately executed? Also, Poland has sustained the heaviest losses during the Second World War with up to 17% of its entire population vs. Russia – 14% and Germany – 10%. Not to mention Poland bring the only occupied country that had it’s government immediately liquidated, it’s army disbanded and schools and universities closed (their professors and “grey minds” being the first ones taken away and locked up/executed).
A message to Israel – from Stefan Tompson
If you will blame the individuals, the Polish people that acted against the Jews, than why would you not blame the Jews that acted against the Jews? You would then be implicitly blaming the Jewish community for the Holocaust. I know that sounds horrible and absurd, but is it not what people are doing when they say Poland is to blame?
*** This article is the redone of the original article that can be found here, on my previous blog page***
Yours very much truly, The Twisted Red Ladybug That Loves Poland
1st August in Warsaw – Where all the city stands still for 1 minute – Every year!
Here I am, the 1st of August – standing in Warsaw, the Capital of Poland. It is getting closer and closer to 5 PM and I feel the rush of people gathering… preparing… waiting for the magic to begin!
Each year on the 1st of August the City of Warsaw stands still for a minute. Every year, on the exact same day, at the exact same hour, at 5 PM, people stop – no matter what they do and no matter where they are located – and stand still for a full minute. Buses, trams, cars… they all stop on the great crowded streets and the people inside the cars usually come out and stand straight for that minute – from 5:00 to 5:01 PM.
Thousands of people stand still and think about the year of 1944 and pray for the heroes that fell that day. They remember them and pay their respects, from their heart. But why, you might ask…
1st August in Warsaw – Where all the city stands still for 1 minute – Every year!
The “W-hour” – “WYBUCH”
They all stand still to commemorate the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising that started at 5 PM on the 1st of August 1944. In Polish, it’s known as the ‘W-hour’ (where ‘w’ stands for the Polish equivalent of the word explosion – ‘wybuch’).
The Warsaw Uprising was a major World War II operation led by the Polish resistance Home Army (PL: Armia Krajowa), to liberate Warsaw from German occupation. The uprising was timed to coincide with the retreat of the German forces from Poland ahead of the Soviet advance. While approaching the eastern suburbs of the city, the Red Army temporarily halted combat operations, enabling the Germans to regroup and defeat the Polish resistance and to destroy the city in retaliation. The Uprising was fought for 63 days with little outside support. It was the single largest military effort taken by any European resistance movement during World War II.
The Warsaw Uprising Movie 1944
Fighting With Their Hearts For Their Country
Some people, some historians, might call the Warsaw Uprising as the biggest mistake they could make. I call it bravery and love for their own country, for their Motherland. It is true, they did not have military equipment, their opponent was stronger, but their hearts were pure and brave and they did the best they could – considering the circumstances…
Of course, one of Warsaw Uprising’s results was infuriating even more the Nazi’s and that resulted also to the bombings that took place that month – ruining the city, rendering it inhabitable in proportion of almost 90%!
Although the exact number of casualties is unknown, it is estimated that about 16,000 members of the Polish resistance were killed and about 6,000 badly wounded. In addition, between 150,000 and 200,000 Polish civilians died, mostly from mass executions.
1st August in Warsaw – Where all the city stands still for 1 minute – Every year!
Brutal Facts about The Warsaw Uprising
Stalin wanted the Uprising to fail, this is why he never answered to Warsaw’s Underground Army call for help! Soviet Army was on the banks of the Vistula river and they waited until Nazi Germany rained down bombs upon Warsaw, grazing it to the ground.
The fighting lasted for 63 days!!! – that is a long time, considering the Polish resistance Home Army (PL: Armia Krajowa – AK) calculated the weapons and ammo to last only for 1 week! It was supposed to be a shock operation but it bled through… no help was coming…
Sewers were important during the Warsaw Uprising – the water was cut out by the Nazis so the sewer system drained and the AK made great use of it as a network to travel between districts.
Nazi Germany used their newest machines in the Uprising combat – Tiger, Panther guns, and… The famous Goliath tracked mine (robotic weapons)!
Nazi Germany send over to Warsaw their most brutal Commanders to stop the unrest – Oskar Dirlewanger had over 40.000 people (some sources even say 50.000 Polish people) rounded up and shot in the Wola Massacre. Most of the victims were the elderly, women, and children.
Operation Tempest(PL: Akcja “Burza”) – AK was the largest and the best equipped Underground Army at that time, in Europe! They attempted to liberate Warsaw, to coordinate it all with Stalin’s Army… but we all know how that ended up…
The wonderfully brilliantly done music video by Sabaton – a tribute to Warsaw “City at War” – “Uprising” – some of the videos are originals from the 1940s in Warsaw – a MUST SEE!
Ending today’s post (in order to get ready for the 5 PM celebration), I leave you with this song I absolutely love.
Letter of intent regarding the creation of the “Museum – Memorial Site of KL Plaszow in Krakow. German Nazi labor and concentration camp (1942-1945) ”was signed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the City of Krakow. The new museum will cover an area of about 40 hectares and will be a self-government cultural institution of the Krakow City Commune co-run by the Ministry of Culture.
Screenshot from the Letter of Intent, that can be downloaded HERE
Who signed the Letter of Intent?
The signatories of the letter are the deputy prime minister, minister of culture and national heritage prof. Piotr Gliński – represented by Jarosław Sellin, secretary of state in the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and prof. Jacek Majchrowski, president of Krakow.
Due to the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the document was signed electronically.
What is this Letter of Intent?
Letter of intent regarding the creation of a new cultural institution called “Museum – Memorial Site of KL Plaszow in Krakow. German Nazi labor camp and concentration camp (1942-1945)” is a declaration of the joint will of the signatories for the proper commemoration of the victims of the German Nazi labor and concentration camp Plaszow by covering the area where the camp was located, institutional protection and establishing a Museum – Memorial Site.
The letter of intent is another important stage in actions taken to commemorate the former German labor and concentration camp in Plaszow. It was preceded by an agreement signed on January 26, 2017 between the City of Krakow, the Jewish Religious Community in Krakow and the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow, constituting a declaration of cooperation between the parties for a dignified commemoration of KL Plaszow. The ordinance of the city president also set up a task force for the KL Plaszow camp coordinating work on the creation of this Memorial Site.
Photo of the Plaszow concentration and labour camp taken 1943-1944 – Unknown Author – Taken from the Institute of National Remembrance
When will the new Museum start operating?
It is planned that “Museum – KL Plaszow Memorial Site in Krakow. German Nazi labor and concentration camp (1942-1945)” will start operating on January 1, 2021, and will be a self-government cultural institution of the city of Krakow, co-run by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The content of the letter assumes the cooperation of the parties to create the Memorial in both financial and substantive terms. It is anticipated that the Krakow City Council will establish a new institution by the end of 2020.
What are the next steps?
In the next stage, an agreement will be signed between the city and the ministry, which will determine the principles of co-running a new museum institution. The estimated time necessary to complete the work on establishing the Museum – Memorial Site and permanent exhibition is estimated at about five years.
KL Plaszow Fot.PAP/J.Bednarczyk
Where will the Museum be built?
The Museum – Memorial Site of KL Plaszow will be built on land belonging to the Municipality of Krakow, the Jewish Community in Kraków, and the Treasury. It will cover an area of approx. 40 hectares, which has been entered in the register of monuments kept by the Małopolska Provincial Conservator of Monuments since 2002, and an adjacent area of approximately 3 hectares.
How will the Museum look like?
The Historical Museum of the City of Krakow, as a substantive supervisor, developed the script for the new Museum – Memorial Site and conducted archeological research in the post-camp area.
According to the scenario, “historical stops” will be created in the post-camp area, ie boards with an archival photo and a short commentary in English. Polish, English, and Hebrew and in the Memorial building a permanent exhibition, thanks to which visitors will learn, among others what historical events led to the creation of concentration camps; learn the history of the liquidation of the Krakow ghetto and the founding and organization of KL Plaszow. The everyday life of prisoners will also be shown. Educators attach great importance to preserving the authenticity of the commemorated place.
Yours sincerly,
The Twisted Red LadyBug, Always Bringing You The Most Up-To-Date Informations About My Beloved Krakow
As of 1st July, Auschwitz Museum reopened its doors
From July 1, visitors can walk the grounds of the former Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp again. The museum was closed for over 3 months because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The visiting rules have been adapted to the new sanitary requirements. Admission to both parts of the former camp: Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II – Birkenau, will take place only on the basis of Entry Cards. Reservations can be made online. Unreserved entry passes will be available at the Museum on the day of the visit; however, we cannot guarantee entry to the Memorial without reservation.
‘The period of the pandemic shows that in every difficult and crisis situation, fears, tensions, reluctance and ghosts of the past awaken. Right now we all need to listen wisely to the warnings from the past so that the economic difficulties we are experiencing and forecasting will not lead to a moral crisis, a crisis of humanity,” said Museum Director Dr. Piotr M. A. Cywiński
‘We also heavily suffered from a lack of visitors, also financially. Many programs and investments had to be canceled or postponed to subsequent years. Many people have asked in the past whether it would not be possible to introduce paid entrance tickets since the funds raised in this way would help to achieve the museum’s great mission. Regardless of the current difficult situation, we want the entrance to the Memorial area to remain free. However, to meet the needs of those who have supported us in the past or are willing to do this, we are introducing the so-called “pay what you want” system, in which everyone will decide for themselves if they want to enter for free, or rather make a donation. In this way, the concern for our mission can become our common cause,’ added Dr. Cywiński.
Auschwitz I – Poland
New Regulations at the Auschwitz Museum/Memorial
Tours with an educator for individual visitors will take place in smaller groups of up to 15 people. The number of people on the site will also be minimised. Visitors will have to observe a safe interpersonal distance – both before entering the Museum and during the tour. The same regulations governing covering of the mouth and nose apply in the premises as in entire Poland (right now face must be covered indoors). Several places on the Museum grounds have also been equipped with devices for contactless hand sanitation, and a special sanitation gate has been placed in front of the entrance.
Opening hours for the Auschwitz Memorial
The Memorial will be open to the public from 9.00 a.m. From July to September, tours will take place with a guide until 16.00 hrs. Later individual visits will be possible with booked entry cards.
Information taken from the Auschwitz.Org site – Please reach out to them for the most up-to-date information!
I have visited Auschwitz I and II numerous times, in different seasons, be it alone or with friends and family. It is always a harsh, sad, trip to the past and I recommend all of us to take it #LestWeForget …
Yours sincerly,
The Twisted Red LadyBug Who Loves Poland & History
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