Publication of Righteous' Memoirs Needs Your Support

Mateusz Szczepaniak, Ośrodek KARTA / English translation: Andrew Rajcher, 17 August 2018
Ending on 21st August, the KARTA Centre is conducting a public fundraising effort aimed at publishing the memoirs of Bernard Konrad Świerczyński (1922–2002), a Righteous Among the Nations. In his memoirs, entitled “Przemytnicy życia” (Smugglers of Life), he describes is wartime experiences, highlighting his friends from amongst Warsaw's Kercel bazaar traders who, during the war, became smugglers around the ghetto's borders. The book, written in 1989, will be released in September.

I have read many publications, often memoirs, depicting Poles as zoologoical antisemites who “sucked their racist ideology from their mother's milk”. Unfortunately, most of the published facts were true. But such a picture is only one side of the reality of the occupation. As well as the human scum, there were also thousands who, at the risk of their own lives, extended help, were able to preserve human dignity and, for their patriotic stance, were victims of the highest level of Nazi punishment. 

– Bernard Konrad Świerczyński

From the beginning of German occupation, the author of these memoirs began helping his Jewish friends. For those in the  ghetto, he brought them food, medicine and passed on letters. He continued that support on the “Aryan side”. He saved the lives of at least a dozen individuals. In 1972, on the basis of their testimonies, he was honoured with the title of Righteous Among the Nations and, in 1991, he became an Honorary Citizen of the State of Israel.

Read Bernard Konrad Świerczyński's story »

According to the KARTA Centre's editorial note:

“Smugglers of Life” avoids black and white divisions. It is written with verve, in a language which draws the reader into the author's world and forces the reader to reflect. Świerczyński's memoirs are illustrated with photographs from that period, as well as with maps showing the locations of the smuggling activities described in the text.

Historical consultant to the book, Prof. Barbara Engelking, says:

This document is completely true, yet it reads like a novel and is written with humour. They are the memoirs of an idealist who, from his youth, is in love with his Jewish neighbour. He rescued her during the War - as well as many others - first in the ghetto and then beyond its walls. This book has the opportunity to stimulate the imagination of many who would have not reached for such difficult to obtain source material.

This “crowdfunding” effort by the KARTA Centre aims to raise 5,000 zł which will enable the memoirs of Bernard Konrad Świerczyński to be published. Any additional funds raised will be used to increase the circulation of the publication. Funds can be donated, on the Polak Potrafi website until 21st August. The book will be released in September 2018. 

Support the KARTA Centre's crowdfunding effort »

Project development: Aleksandra Janiszewska
Design & composition: Anna Piwowar
Photography editor: Aleksandra Berłożecka
Proofing: Hanna Antos
Photographic development: Tandem Studio
Preparation of maps designed by Paweł Weszpiński: Ryszard Piwowar
Historical consultant: Prof. Barbara Engelking
Warsaw 2018, 1st edition
Publishing house: Ośrodek KARTA
 Format: hard-cover, 160 pages
ISBN: 978-83-65979-28-5