Anniversary of the Passing of Władysław Bartoszewski (1922–2015)

Redakcja / Editorial staff / English translation: Andrew Rajcher, 28 April 2020
"He was a great man, a Polish patriot, a friend of Jews and Germans, a prisoner of Auschwitz, a Home Army soldier and a social activist. He was a member of the 'Żegota' Council to Aid Jews and a 'Righteous Among the Nations'. At the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, he continues to be remembered with respect and gratitude” - this is how, in 2015, we farewelled Władysław Bartoszewski, a true friend of the POLIN Museum. From the beginning, he supported the creation of the Museum, as an advisor and, in his last years, as a member of the Museum Council. For many Poles, he was an indisputable moral authority. Today, we recall his life on the fifth anniversary of his passing.

"Whoever despises people, whether it is for religious reasons, for racial reasons or because of xenophobia towards people of Ukrainian, Belarusian, Russian, German of Jewish descent - he, above all, despises himself"” – Władysław Bartoszewski

A Witness to History - a Friend of POLIN Museum

Throughout his life, his commitment and attitude were impressive. Władysław Bartoszewski's priorities were demonstrated through his activities in the  "Żegota" Council to Aid Jews” as well as in the structures of the Polish Underground State, the Home Army and in the fighting during the Warsaw Uprising.

His social activity is also demonstrated by the long list of positions which he held after the War - as an ambassador and senator, serving twice as Minister of Foreign Affairs and as Secretary of State in the Office of the Prime Minister. He was an avid supporter for the establishment of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews.

» The Story of Władysław Bartoszewski

Read the story of this Righteous Among the Nations

In the last years of his life, he was a member of the POLIN Museum Council, supporting the Museum's educational activities. Every year, from 2012, he would meet with young people on 4th December, the anniversary of the establishment of the "Żegota" Council to Aid Jews.

We met him for the last time during the commemorations marking the 72nd Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. We listened to his wise words, spoken in front of the Ghetto Heroes Monument, opposite the entrance to the Museum. He was wearing a paper daffodil pinned to his coat (see above photos ⤻), a symbol of the collective memory of the Uprising, which is distributed every year on the streets by the Museum's volunteers. On that occasion, he said: 

"This is not a speech by a government representative, only by a man who has witnessed historical and unusual events. It is the fulfillment of my life that, seventy-two years after those events, I can speak about them on behalf of those who are absent.”

He passed away five days later, on 24th April 2015, at the age of 93.

Read More About Władysław Bartoszewski

At the POLIN Museum, not only is Władysław Bartoszewski remembered with respect and gratitude, but also through his priceless gifts donated to the Museum's collection. They include his Righteous Among the Nations medal, the document granting him Honorary Citizenship of the State of Israel, an original commemrative ring from the Łódż ghetto, Leon Feiner's false identity card, as well as books and historical documents from World War II. Some of these are on display in the Museum's Permanent Exhibition, while others are displayed virtually.

On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the passing of Władysław Bartoszewski, we encourage you to view these items, as well as learning more about his life - the story of one of the first Poles to be honored with the title of "Righteous Among the Nations. We also recommend the following texts:

From the Museum's Oral History Collection: