“They Risked Their Lives...” Exhibition and Norman Davies lecture in Moscow

During his lecture, Oxford University professor and Polish history expert, Norman Davies spoke of the national differences in terminology and variously temporal dividing lines in reference to World War. The historian considered that, in reply to the question posed in the title of his lecture, World War II was won by a Grand Coalition. The only issues that remain are how to determine the various countries’ contributions to that victory. Davies stressed that each nation has its own version, replete with myths about their role in World War II. One such myth was that, for Russia, the War began when it was attacked by germany in June 1941. Meanwhile, the USSR was already participating in the War from 1939.

The lecture was accompanied, in the Embassy, by the exhibition They Risked Their Lives – Poles Who Saved Jews During the Holocaust, prepared by the Museum POLIN in partnership with the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Russian-language version came about with the assistance of the Polish Embassy in Moscow. Both the lecture and the exhibition were met with great public interest – more than 100 guests attended the event, among them being members of the diplomatic corps, Moscow academics and members of the Russian Education Academy, together with local Poles and students.

The exhibition will remain on display at the Polish Embassy in Moscow until 5th March.

Source: PAP, Ministry of Foreign Affairs