A Monument Honouring Henryk Sławik and József Antall Unveiled in Budapest
"This was patriotism, nobility, a love of freedom and a conviction that every person is worthwhile from th epoint of view of his/her own humanity", said Sejm Speaker Marek Kuchciński, during the ceremony in Budapest.
"Their two fates were united in the endangered world of World War II. Polonia semper fidelis. May this monument be a symbol of friendship between two wonderful peoples and two strong nations", stressed Hungarian National Assembly Chairman László Kövér.
The erecting of the monument was the brainchild of Grzegorz Łubczyk, former Polish Ambassador to Hungary and Deputy Chairman of the "Henryk Sławik – Remembrance and Action” Foundation. The monument was unveiled at Gyoergy Goldmann Square near the Donau. Others to take part in the ceremony included Polish Ambassador Jerzy Snopek, Budapest Mayor Istvan Tarlos, the Director of the Polish History Museum and members of the Polish community in Hungary.
Over a few years, In Poland and Hungary, Henryk Sławik and József Antall have been remembered for their heroic deeds. In March 2015, their monument was unveiled, in Katowice, by Polish President Bronisław Komorowski and Hungarian President János Áder. A few months later, the square surrounding it was named in their honour. In September, Sławik became patron of the IPN's "History Stop" Education Centre in Katowice and of the wharves on the Donau in Budapest. In November last year, a monument of Henryk Sławik and József Antall was unveilked in Warsaw.
The Henryk Sławik and József Antall Monument in Warsaw
Following the outbreak of World War II, Henryk Sławik (1894-1944) managed to cross Romania and reached Hungary. There, he became Chairman of the Civic Committee for the Care of Polish Refugess. He was also one of the respresentatives of the Polish Government-in-Exile. Together with József Antall Senior (1896-1974), an employee of the Hungarian Ministry of Internal Affairs, and others, he organised help for Polish refugees who had fled to Hungary following the German invasion in September 1939. Together, they issued false documents which saved the lives of many individuals, particularly Polish Jews. It is estimated that 30,000 Polish refugees received their help, among them 5,000 Jews. Both men have been honoured with the title of Righteous Among the Nations.
