2014 – The Year of Jan Karski

, 16 November 2016
The Polish Parliament has decided that next year will be declared the “Year of Jan Karski”. The motion was passed on 6th December 2013, with 446 parliamentarians voting for the motion, none voting against, and two abstentions.

2014 marks the 100th birthday of Jan Karski, emissary of the Polish Government-in-Exile. In 1942, Karksi prsented a documented report to the leaders and governments of the Allies which told of the tragic situation of the Jews and of their planned extermination by the occupying Germans. His presentation also contained a report from the Polish Government-in-Exile. For his actions in helping Jews, he was honoured as a Righteous Among the Nations.

With the parliamentary resolution was written, “This anniversary presents an opportunity to pay tribute to one of the most outstanding Poles of the 20th century, ae central figure of World War II, a Righteous amongst Nations, a citizen of the United States, an Honourary Citizen of Israel, often today described as “a man who endeavoured to stop the Holocaust”. His life, mission and work made Professor Karski an outstanding figure on an international scale, and his rich legacy has a timeless dimension, being a moral signpost for future generations”.

From 2010, the Museum of the History of Poland has conducted an educational project – “Jan Karski - An Unfinished Mission” under the honourary patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski.