Władysław Bartoszewski's Last Book - an Event at POLIN Museum
I decided, in isolation and as far as possible, and based on my personal, subjective experience, to write a book on what was common to both Jews and Poles during those terrible circumstances of Nazi extermination. Of their harsh and ultimate fates, of the helplessness of those persecuted and of the solitude of those who perished. About factually what the Poles did (after all, it took place in their country) in order to help Jews and about what they could not do. Of indifference, wickedness and heroism. This is what Władysław Bartoszewski wrote in the book's foreword.
This book presents the situation of Jews in pre-War Poland and during the German occupation. The author describes the increasing terror towards Poles and Jews during the War, the establishments of the ghettoes and the repressions aimed at the Jewish populace with the ultimate aim of extermination. The book also presents the activities of Jewish underground organisations and their co-operation with the Polish underground and the efforts against the Holocaust by the Polish Government-in-Exile. The author writes in great detail of the Council to Aid Jews "Żegota” and of the Polish Righteous Among the Nations.
Władysław Bartoszewski began writing this books in the late 1960's but, due to the censorship prevalent at that time, it was never published before in Poland. In 1970, it was published abroad in English, French and German. This year, it is published for the first time for Polish readers and, as such, is Bartoszewski's final publication.
This edition has been enriched with a transcript of a discussion between Władysław Bartoszewski and Bożena Szaynok on Polish-Jewish relations. It took place in April 2015, just days before the Professor's passing.
The book event at POLIN Museum will take place on Wednesday 11th May at 6:00 pm. Speakers will include Adam Michnik, Marian Turski and Bożena Szaynok. The discussion will be chaired by Marek Zając.
Following the event, visitors will them be able to view the exhibition „Bartoszewski 1922-2015. More Than Decency”, which has been on show since 14th April .
