Władysław Bartoszewski Exhibition Opens
This multimedia exhibition was organised as part the Prime Minister's Office Open Days which last until 27th September 2915. It tells of a man who was not afraid to go against the tide for the sake of the greater good, who fought for historic memory and for reconciliation of nations. It is the story of a prisoner in Auschwitz-Birkenau, a participant in the Warsaw Uprising, the co-founder of the Council to Aid Jews (Żegota), an activist in Radio Free Europe, a Minister of Foreign Affairs and an adviser to the Cabinet on international dialogue.
The exhibition consists of three parts which depict Władysław Bartoszewski's life achievements. The first, "Against the Tide" talks about his involvement in the underground fighting German occupation, later his opposition to the communist regime (PRL) and to repression to which Bartoszewski was subjected for his activities. "Memory" centres on the Professor's work as a columnist and his efforts to maintain historic memory. The last part "Reconciliation" is devoted to his relations with the Germans, with Israel and with the Jewish diaspora around the world.
The most important elements of the exhibition are quotations from the Professor himself - his life story told in his own words. Visitors will also be able to view Władysław Bartoszewski's 1963 television with Marek Edelman, a part of his 1995 speech to the German parliament or her fragments of his broadcasts on Radio Free Europe. Photographs and memorabilia also feature in the exhibition. A main attraction is Władysław Bartoszewski's office, the office in which he worked until his passing on 24th April 2015.
"He always took the simple path and would say to me, Good Always Returns, but he also said that, in life, it's worthwhile being decent. It is a simple principle and he strongly adhered to it", said Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz during the exhibition opening.
The Professor's wife Zofia Bartoszewska was present at the opening. She appealed to her friends to allow one day of remembrance in honour of her husband - either 21st July (his birthday) or 24th April (the day he passed away) "I would very much like his memory to continue", she noted. The Professor's son, Władysław, on behalf of his family, thanked the organisers of the exhibition.
The exhibition is accompanied by the "Huge Portrait of Władysław Bartoszewski”. A mosaic depicting the Professor has been created from photographs contributed by Internet users. It is on view together with the exhibition and will remain accessible to the public on the Internet.
