Special suplement part V – conference: against the Slander

1st Session: The 2nd Session: The 3rd Session: Dimensions 4th Session: Is law concept of Hecatomb scale of Holocaust of Polonophobia a weapon?

Co-financed with resources from the Justice Fund managed by the Minister of Justice Organizer Media patronage

tygodnik lisickiego HISTORIA Polish Hecatomb and Fight against Polonophobia

Cemetery of Poles shot by Germans in Palmiry near Photographer: RAFAŁ DZIOREK/adobe stock

Table of Contents 2–4 Background information 5–7 1st Session: 8–11 2nd Session: 12–14 3rd Session: Polish remembrance The concept of Hecatomb The scale of Holocaust Dimensions of Polonophobia Western elites do not per- Sometimes historians need Neither Polish village leaders The Germans see themselves ceive Holocaust as degenera- a great synthesis, a single nor Judenrat chairmen in the as a therapist in relation to a tion of the Christian tradition concept to describe a given ghettos were the volunteers patient. We are to be cured but as its culmination. It phenomenon. The very con- of Shoah. In both cases, they of Polishness. This is a new started at Calvary and ended cept of "hecatomb" has been were forced to cooperate with stage of Polonophobia: fear of in Auschwitz… invented brilliantly Germans the Polishness "disease" 2

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Question of honour

n the face of Almighty and Saint Mary the Queen of the Polish Crown, I put my hands on this holy cross, a sign of passion and Salvation. I swear to remain faithful to my Homeland, the IRepublic of , and promise to steadfastly protect its honor my life …” - these words are the essence of the oath taken since 1942 and fight for its liberation with all my strength, until the sacrifice of life…” – I recalled this phrase on the 29th of October this year, during by the soldiers joining the Home Army. „Until the sacrifice of my

abecomes conference darkened devoted by to a sinisterHECATOMB shadow as a of description Polonophobia of the that sacrifice acts by madefair means by our or nation foul. during the Second World War. This sacrifice

and later to other as well. As the ages went by, it became "a great In ancient Greece, Hecatomb was a great sacrifice offered to Zeus,

sacrificeoath? It wasto a causethe „honour” that led and to the „freedom”. death of Not many only people". Polish Whatsoldiers was (is?)but also the othercause Polesworth died the forsacrifice the right of life, to maintainas stated honorin the Homeand for Army’s liberation - the victims also included women and children, killed only because they belonged to the Polish nation. Those considered by the German and Soviet occupants and other enemies to be the Polish elite - people who were the most diligent, idealistic, devoted to both the national and local community, willing to help other members of our society, were particularly persistently persecuted . We wrote about it in the previous four parts of the "Hecatomb of the Poles" series. We also wrote about accusing us as a nation of participation in horrible crimes committed by others - especially in the extermination of

against libel published in the foreign historical policy statements. - whichToday's is a reportgreat slander, from the and conference about law "Polish used as Hecatomb a weapon and in the fight Fight against Polonophobia" ends that cycle and sums it up to

who opened that meeting of excellent historians and journalists, a certain extent. Paweł Lisicki, editor-in-chief of Do Rzeczy weekly,

called the suffering inflicted on Poles a hecatomb. Suffering that waspresent wrongly situation and resultingintentionally from marginalized. the confusion Referring that arose to whenthis, the the Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro compared, among others, the countermeasures against Polonophobia, to the situation in 2006, Lowerwhen a Chamber similar resolution of Polish Parliamentof the Senate attempted was adopted to impose without statutory any problems. Something happened during these years ... - he said, stating that fact. The situation is the more dramatic, the more the passivity towards , which we were accused of earlier, turns into accusation of its accomplishment. The Minister referred

speech of Professor Yehuda Bauer from the early '70s. We should 4th Session: Redakcja: 15–17 Redaktor: Maciej Rosalak tonotice the wordsthat already of Professor then the Norman Israeli Davies,historian who proposed recently to recalled carry out the Is law a weapon? the Holocaust research based on a division into three elements: 1. z zespołem: the perpetrators, 2. the victims, 3. passive witnesses. The perpetra- Studio graficzne: global image of Poland during Wojciech Niedzielko (grafik prowadzący), Deliberatethe last war deterioration can lead to highly of the Jakub Tański (grafik), passive observers. Jacek Nadratowski (DTP) Fotoedycja: Edyta Bortnowska, Przemysław Traczyk torsWell, were currently Nazis (not Holocaust Germans!), researchers victims werefrom Jews,Poland, and who Poles have were Korekta: Anna Zalewska consequences for our country Okładka: Wojciech Stróżyk/REPORTER dangerous legal and financial creativelyconference. developed It's worth the knowing. Bauer’s ©concept, ℗ and assign... PolesMaciej to Rosalakthe 3 first category, make a career abroad! This was also discussed at the 18–24 XI 2019 4 7/ 2 0 1 9 HISTORIA Polish Hecatomb and Fight against Polonophobia

Poland‘s remembrance of the victims robably only few remember perversion or denial of the tradition nationalities - Germans, Ukrainians, of the European , but as Russians, and Jews, who saved its culmination, almost complete Poles? Why not think about one paweł lisicki theKomorowski, first question the askedthen in by- and necessary. What started at the Polish name for the suffering of our PcumbentAndrzej President Duda of to the Bronisław Republic nation? If the world knows the term of Poland, during the presidential the basic principle of that reaso- Holocaust, why not make effort to debate in 2015. It was quite surpri- ning.Calvary According ended at to Auschwitz that way of– thisthin is- introduce one concept covering all sing. The current President raised king, the Holocaust is a universal crimes against Poles? In June 2015, the question of a harmful statement symbol of human suffering, the sole I suggested such term, namely, the made by the then President Komo- and model crime. Hecatomb. This is the best key term. rowski, who, while addressing the Whoever thinks in this way will When speaking of the Hecatomb, participants of the celebration in not be able to notice the autono- we would mean the fate of those Jedwabne at the beginning of his mous, equally innocent and equally Poles who lost their lives in 1937- important suffering of other na- 1953 for being Poles. Those who the Poles sometimes were "a nation tions. The solidarity of the victims were killed by the Soviets and those termof perpetrators". of office, said that in the past, of totalitarian systems – Hitlerism who were murdered by German Such words were nothing new. and - disappears. The infamous apology made by slaughterers. battle for remembrance and for the NazisTwo and of finallythe best-known Ukrainian modern UPA had a similar tone. Politicians' self- Instead, we are dealing with a fierce - Aleksandercondemnation Kwaśniewski is the grist into 2001the and who suffered less. And what is ghern, a mass crime against Arme- mill for Poland's enemies - all those, final decision who suffered more niansexamples committed of genocide by Turks, are Medz and theJe remembrance of the Holocaust is Holocaust, a mass murder of Jews prove that Poles as a nation were worse,highly detrimental such universalization to the remem of the- by the German Third Reich. In both ledaccomplices by Jan Tomasz of the Gross, Holocaust, who tryor, to cases, the perpetrator, the motives, who like Jan Grabowski, hold Poles Thus, crimes against Poles can and the timing can be clearly identi- brancebecome of a othermere nations’postscript suffering. to the Holocaust. Poles are judged on one experience arises from the fact that criterion only: whether they have fied.the executioners The unique natureof Poles of were the Polish both When speaking of the Hecatomb, we would crimes against Jews. Hence, we ideological background was also mean the fate of those Poles who lost their sufficientlyhave this endless counteracted discussion German in Sovietdifferent, and although Nazi criminals. in each Theircase, lives in 1937-1953 for being Poles. which one party claims that Poles their intention was essentially to have done a lot and refers to the destroy the nation. Finally, unlike in liable for mass crimes against Jews. number of Polish trees planted for the case of Armenians or Jews, cri- The special place of the Holo- the Righteous Among the Nations, mes against Poles lasted longer and caust in the memory of Western while the other party accuses and the scale of their severity varied. elites did not come out of nowhere. condemns, claiming that there was Soviets committed them secretly, I wrote about it many times - it is not enough Polish help and too while Germans in public. Poles died the effect of hard work of some many acts of denial and collabo- not as a persecuted minority, but Jewish elites. From their point of ration. Given the distribution of as a group considered, as a rule, view, to which they were able to power in the media, the proponents dangerous, rebellious, striving for convince global public opinion, - sovereignty and independence. the Second World War essentially sition in advance. You could always The creation of such single boils down to the Holocaust. There ofdo the more, first it view is obvious. are put Particularly, in a lost po concept covering all crimes against is only one category of victims, all if you evaluate these attitudes from Poles will not only facilitate the the present, comfortable and safe spreading of knowledge of the the well-known Hungarian intel- perspective. Polish experience, but will also form otherslectualist are Ágnes just classified Heller once aside. tried As How to change that? How to pro- a more effective defense against to portray, humanity is divided into vide protection from these constant attempts to distort history and the descendants of Abel, Jews and against acts of Polonophobia. descendants of Cain, and the rest of all remember about its own victims. This was perfectly demonstrated nations. Proponents of this vision allegations?What we need Poland is a serious should appro first of- at the special conference "Polish consider the Holocaust - the mass ach to Polish martyrdom. Why not Hecatatomb and Fight against killing of Jews by Germans - not think about a Polish medal offered 4 as degeneration of history, not as to courageous people of different © ℗ Polonophobia" organized by the Do w w w . dorzeczy. p l do rzeczy tygodnik lisickiego Rzeczy weekly. Polish Hecatomb and Fight against Polonophobia HISTORIA

1st Session: The need for one common term

A frame from the movie "Miasto 44" showing the great Polish tragedy Photographer: Ola Grochowska

must be discussed separately. We lack

make people immediately associate it Piotr Włoczyk onewith specific the Polish term suffering that, once - added heard, PAWEŁ would LISICKI, editor in chief. Is it possible to define all Polish victims of the totalitarian systems in the – Another reason for which we 20th century with one term? Can such term become a permanent element was the feeling that the way in which of the historical consciousness of world elites? The participants of the intendedPolish remembrance to organize isthat now conference protected, first panel of the conference discussed these problems. considering the scale of dissemination of false information and lies, is insuf-

he idea of this conference was actu- mitted against Poles in years 1937-53 - a good method here, because we have ally born in June 2015. It was when ficient.two values Of course, that need it is to not be easy reconciled: to find the headline "Hecatomb of Poles" opening the conference "Polish Hecatomb on one hand, the freedom of research, written in large font appeared on saidand Fightthe editor-in-chief against Polonophobia". of Do Rzeczy - Crimes when expression and opinion, and on the T against Poles are perceived in the global other hand, protection of image, me- consciousness as completely dispersed mory and concern for national identity. ourshould cover. be usedThe editorial to describe staff all of crimes Do Rzeczy com - phenomena. Each time, all these events 5 weekly suggested that one specific term 18–24 XI 2019 4 7/ 2 0 1 9 How can we find the golden mean? HISTORIA Polish Hecatomb and Fight against Polonophobia

This is the topic we will discuss today

The foreword was also given by -ZBIGNIEW said Paweł ZIOBRO Lisicki. , the Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General, who - uld like to thank you for this idea, this initiativeco-organized and thefor takingconference. up an - extremely I wo important topic regarding historical awareness that we, Poles, have. I don't need to convince anyone in this group how important this question is. We need a debate on this subject given the processes that take place not only in our country, not only in the consciousness of us, Poles, but which also can be ob- served globally, within the scope of re- A frame from the movie "Miasto 44" interpretation of what happened during Photographer: Ola Grochowska the Second World War. What I mean in

context about Poland and Poles in the in exceptional situations. We must draw tional Education Bureau at the Institute theglobal first media, place whichis what often can beraises read our in thisju- conclusions and consistently defend the of National Remembrance. historical truth - he added. The second speaker in the discussion The discussion - moderated by Piotr was Professor WOJCIECH ROSZKOWSKI, stified– I am emotions, convinced objections, that when and it comesmoral who noted that some historians disappro- toprotest this particular - said Minister subject Zbigniew matter ofZiobro. ved of the state's policy of remembrance, today's conference, law is not the over- Zychowicz - was attended by Professor calling such actions "propaganda." riding sphere of rules to which we can Wojciech Roszkowski, Professor Bogdan - We, historians, should not aban- refer and based on which we should cre- Szlachta, Adam Hlebowicz and Rafał don the idea that in some cases a great ate reality. On the contrary, it is the re- Ziemkiewicz.experienced more suffering in the 20th ality, expressed in the historical conscio- century– It is thandifficult Poles. to findWe are a nation looking that for to describe a given phenomenon. In our usness in the context of changes that a common denominator that could cap- synthesis,debate, we one often specific rely on term one is symbol needed or take place, that has direct impact on the ture all the tragic events our nation has concept. The term "Holocaust" is a great created law and is the force that actually witnessed - said PIOTR ZYCHOWICZ, - the term "Hecatomb" is an excellent nians were murdered by Turks, Jews by simplificationproposal, not only in itself... because Meanwhile, it has not dominatesinternational law tensions - said Minister caused Zbigniewby an theGermans, moderator Ukrainians of the firstby Soviets, panel. -and Arme Tut- been widely used in other contexts. Ziobro,amendment when to recalling the Act onthe the example Institute of sis were murdered by Hutu. Meanwhile, First of all, it is not "occupied". Hence, of National Remembrance introduced Polish experience is highly complex. at the beginning of 2018. In the further - took place, and then we were murdered we can "occupy" it and fill with our own led that similar legal regulations aimed First, the Polish Operation of the NKVD content - said Professor Roszkowski. partat protecting of his speech, the reputation Minister Ziobro of Poland recal instance, in Ponary, Ukrainians, and, after PolishThe nation historian was emphasized not meaningless, that this but and the Polish nation were already ad- bythe Germans, war, by communists. Soviets and Lithuanians, for termthat Poles assumes made that it in the the sacrifice name of of some the - opted in 2006 (although they were later How should such common denomi- thing supreme. - We should not perceive repealed by the Constitutional Tribunal nator for the entirety of Polish victims for purely procedural reasons) and did of the totalitarian systems in the 20th as senseless, wasted and unnecessary for not cause such controversy at that time. century look like? theanyone. sacrifices All these we havevictims made were in notthe pastin vain. – This made us, lawyers, aware that – Creation of one such term is very im- Is it not so that we have such complicated something fundamental happened portant. Perhaps, as the editorial staff of identity after experiencing all those tragic over the past 10 years in the sphere of events of the 20th century, and having historical awareness ... Changes in law be a good idea. It is a Greek word with acceptable ten years earlier were totally Do Rzeczy suggests, "Hecatomb" would I consider it necessary to explain to myself unacceptable, with additional safeguards, time it is not used today in the context sufferedand others those what enormous it means sacrifices?to be a Pole after ten years. And what has actually specificof other connotations,victims. Other and proposals at the same have today in the context of both the pursuit of also come up, e.g. the word "Polocaust", but I don't think it is a good choice. We happened?why for decades, - asked the Minister Polish stateZbigniew has not should avoid repeating words that can freedomperfectly andhere. making sacrifice in the name Ziobro.engaged - itselfWe should in the discuss process the of defendingquestion be associated with another event - noted of freedom.If the "Polish The wordHecatomb" "hecatomb" is the fitsright 6 the historical truth about Poland, even ADAM HLEBOWICZ, director of the Na- term that gives us a chance to reverse

w w w . dorzeczy. p l do rzeczy tygodnik lisickiego Polish Hecatomb and Fight against Polonophobia HISTORIA

the prevailing international narrative on of Jews would be, to a certain extent, with- Second World War was a battle of good the during the Second and evil. The Second World War was World War, what should be the our next – Is it possible to introduce the term a much more complicated process, where steps? - I would like to make a request to drawn - noted Professor Bogdan Szlachta. two ruthless bandits divided and shared the Polish state to do something about decision issued by Polish authorities? – the world between themselves. Howe- this question. We have governmental „Polish Hecatomb” based on an official - ver, two years had passed, and it turned authorities that are remunerated for ting the debate. out that Stalin was playing unfairly and pursuing the Polish policy of remem- asked– When Piotr we Zychowicz talk about who history, was we conduc not their alliance fell apart. What did Stalin brance. We can arrive at the conclusion do then? He found new allies who so to that it's necessary to start using this term also to mythology. The myth of the Second say took over Hitler's shares. In 1941, the at every opportunity - I commit myself onlyWorld refer War to was finding consciously facts and established truth, but West “bought” the shares of Ribbentrop here and now that during interviews after the war as the founding myth of the from the Ribbentrop-Molotov company. current global order. It was established We were a part of that transaction. If we but we have the State to deal with that upon the order of two winners: US and allow calling it a battle of powerful evil orquestion. scientific It isconferences, the State that I will should use itstart - USSR. This myth was not questioned even with powerful good, then there is no room active promotion of this word - emphasi- for us in this narrative, no matter how Cold War. It was a confrontation of good much money we spend on it. Nobody will Professor BOGDAN SZLACHTA, duringversus evil.the most All those difficult who period fought of against the mention the hecatomb of Poles then. Whi- zeda philosopher Professor Wojciechand lawyer, Roszkowski. referred in his Hitler were good - explained RAFAŁ A. le creating this myth we should not only speech to the problems faced by Poland ZIEMKIEWICZ. in connection with the amendment to the Act on the Institute of National Remem- formulate a concept but also emphasize brance of 2018, despite the fact that no such controversy occurred in 2006. - We should notice that now there are many different views of what has seemed to be unquestionable so far. Apart from this variety of opinions expressed both by academic and non-academic historians, another problem also arises, which is to a certain extent separate, namely, the multitude of historical policies pursued by particular states. This multitude of views makes it, to some extent, problematic reality and possibly, stand against various tointerpretations ask whether wewhile are protecting able to recognize historical truth, or whether we are already losing Discussion during the 1st conference session. of view, not only particular historians With the microphone – Professor W. Roszkowski suchmay haveopportunity. different Looking opinions from on particular this point Photographer: Bartek Molga events, but in addition, various narrati- ves included in state policies may also – If there is a myth of good and evil, the betrayal committed by the West. This diverge. it is very dangerous for us, because we is our biggest problem. Can we sum up different experiences had two enemies. And this myth does not of Polish victims who lost their lives in explained that Poles should remind others party. When this myth was developing, we howThe the columnist West was of passively Do Rzeczy watching weekly the – However, do we really have to agree recognizewere not present. it. There The is no Soviets room spokefor a third on extermination of Jews. "We must reproach yearsfor juxtaposing 1937-53 in using this contextone definition? the repre- sentatives of the Jewish nation who are that before the war was actually a fascist this because it is their price for becoming - ourcountry. behalf Jews and were classified the last Poland to follow as a thisstate thea part West of thefor myth.that attitude. We have Jews no otherdon’t choicedo land having Polish nationality? Couldn't Soviet-American narrative of the 1970s. than attacking that myth in its entirety. " Polish citizens with the citizens of Po After all, the Holocaust was not a topic events that happened in years 1939-45 as our arguments can be accepted because wea problem rethink that this affectedissue and representatives redefine the of wasn't until the 1970s that the Holocaust "today'sRafał A.West Ziemkiewicz is completely believes different that forsuddenly discussion became during important. the whole What 1960s! can weIt from the West who created this myth. that the problem concerned two groups of do in this situation? We must challenge Today, the West accepts the blame for the same state? The idea is to emphasize the statements that are the foundation of everything, so it can also take respon- predominant and recurrent allegation that sibility for what happened to Poland citizensPoles collaborated of the same during state. Inthe this Holocaust way, this cannot agree to the statements that the during the war. " © ℗ 7 this myth - said Rafał A. Ziemkiewicz. - We 18–24 XI 2019 4 7/ 2 0 1 9 HISTORIA Polish Hecatomb and Fight against Polonophobia

2nd Session:

Wojciech Wybranowski The goal of the German state authorities was to completely annihilate Jews and the Polish population that was helping them. Do the accusations made against Poles of their passivity or even complicity in the Holocaust have any grounds? And finally, did the Jews themselves do enough to save their compatriots? Passivity and obedience. Could the Holocaust have different scale? 8

w w w . dorzeczy. p l do rzeczy tygodnik lisickiego Polish Hecatomb and Fight against Polonophobia HISTORIA

readers. At the same time, the opinions of origin, associated with the Institute of World Politics in Washington, specia- according to which the author was bending historiansthe narrative specializing or omitted in some the Holocaust, facts, or relations, the Holocaust, and the history many alleged events did not take place lizingof the inCentral the history and Eastern of Polish-Jewish Europe of the at all, were simply ignored. It refers to 19th and 20th century, who sent a brief completely fraudulent parts of the story in video recording for the conference, which the author depicts Poles, inhabitants question of national policy of the Third the , and if they helped lastingReich and a dozen said thatminutes this policyor so, tackledwas based the ofJews, Oświęcim they did town, it for who money willingly and valuables. worked in on the national and socialist ideology By the way, these lies, as one might think, were not so much an expression - of Morris Heather's bad will as simply inspiredces. The ideologyby the Marxist supported class aconflict very strict and lack of her knowledge. In one of the thehierarchy Darwinian-Spencer that was visible battle at every of the stage ra of the nationality policy. According to the that "they had to work somewhere". The hierarchy, people were divided into Ary- interviews, she "justified" Poles by saying about the compulsory work enforced by into those superior (Übermensch) and writer from New Zealand never heard ansinferior and (Untermensch).non-Aryans, or more specifically the camp from which the Poles were - The national policy of the Third thedisplaced, Nazi regime, or about about the thereport area of around the Au - Reich was a result of ideology and circumstances. In general, its concept wrote to his supervisor Richard Glucks was to impose various duties and schwitzabout fanaticism commander of Poles - Rudolf and Hoess, their "re who- requirements on the conquered nations. adiness for any action against SS-men". The conquered could only react to what Polish fault or innocence? - In the West, people often ask "why theThe Germans ruthless were German doing legislation, - emphasized Professor Chodakiewicz. the occupied Poland, was also noted by didn’t“could Poles the scale help of Jews", the Holocaust and if they be helped, strictlyPIOTR enforced GONTARCZYK by the Nazi, a historianregime in whydifferent”? did they - said do soProfessor little. And BOGDAN finally, MU- of the Polish Institute of Remembran- SIAŁ Dr.ce. - In the debate regarding this entire century history of Germany, Poland and issue we have to remember that we are Russia., a historian- If we are specializing to answer this in the question, 20th talking about the 20th century, where "comrade mauser had a say". It was the April 1943. Germans enter the state and the German government, which time of brutal occupation, where people fighting wewas must democratically first of all start elected, with had the demo German- who wanted to help Jews were treated photo: press materials cratic legitimacy and was supported by without any scruples. Germans murde- the vast majority of Germans. We must red entire families, burned down whole speak about the incredible determination villages, executed recommendations his panel was attended by: Profes- of these authorities and this government issued by the German authorities”said in pursuing the goal of extermination of - presentation given via broadcast), Jews”added the historian. ding to some counterarguments, it was sor Marek Jan Chodakiewicz (with In his publications, including the Gontarczyk.often not the - case,On the because other hand,Jews wereaccor T recently published book "Who will help indeed killed but the peasants who hid Professor Bogdan Musiał, Tadeusz- them were spared. All right, but were Płużański,ciech Wybranowski Dr. Ewa Kurek, – as the Dr. moderator. Tomasz sources, legal acts and studies dating back these peasants supposed to wait and Sommer,This winter, Dr. Piotr both Gontarczyk, in the United and States Woj ato Jew" the Second Professor World Musiał War found referring German to the see what would happen? As the Holo- and Western European countries, as extermination of Jews and Poles, who lost caust progressed, Germans understood well as early spring in Poland, a book by that Poles were helping Jews, and the Heather Morris entitled "Tattooist from German policy towards Poles tightened theirboth thelives civilians for helping and theirthe Polish fellow Under citizens- - pointed out the historian. became a global bestseller. The romantic ofground the Mosaic State couldreligion. practically He emphasized do little thatto Auschwitz"and - as the hitwriter the claimsbookstores. - authentic It quickly story counteract the system of extermination thatDuring when thedebating discussion and describing that took place the German administrative authorities. atphenomenon the conference, of the Dr. Shoah Gontarczyk of Jews noted and po - ofnamed love betweenGita, during Lali the Sokolow, times whena tattooist people of theProfessor Jewish MAREKpopulation CHODAKIEWICZ organized by the, inting to the very frequent cases of saving fromwere thestripped Auschwitz of their camp dignity, and moveda prisoner the an American historian of the Polish Jewish compatriots by Poles, one cannot 9

18–24 XI 2019 4 7/ 2 0 1 9 HISTORIA Polish Hecatomb and Fight against Polonophobia

Warsaw 1942. Jews at Umschlagplatz, from where they were transported to death camps photo: press materials

ignore, for the sake of honesty and Polish society has become totally disar- by the circles present also in Poland historical truth, the cases of racketeering which falsify historical materials, mani- and betraying Jews to Germans, which Interior, issued an ordinance No. 1, dated pulate data, or even create non-existent happended in the villages, as he said. med.September Sławoj 1, Składkowski, 1939, in which Minister he ordered of the events for their own purposes (here, - Besides, we have to take into account all people keeping weapon who were not he made a clear reference to the book traditional cultural hostility towards Jews, soldiers to give it back by depositing it in being full of anti-Polish manipulations written by Barbara Engelking and Pro- population of villages, as such element is the most disarmed country in the world. - fessor Jan Grabowski: "Night without an thealways prevalence present. of The a totally problem demoralized is that Ger - specific locations. Afterwards, Poland was mans overturned even the fundamental could have been a crime of a smaller-scale - The book "Night without an end" order - said the historian. He also descri- saiddepends Dr. Sommer. on the extent - Whether to which the Holocaustpeople end").contains He a also study gave by Professorspecific examples: Grabow- bed an event that took place in 1941 in understood that situation and were able to oppose the State - he added. poviat, literally omitted the role of the people were hiding a Pole of the Jewish ski,Jewish who, police when that describing was supposed the Węgrów to oneorigin. of theAlmost villages the entirenear Białystok population where of the Lie, lie, lie watch Jews and prevent their leaving the village knew that this man was hiding in All historians participating in the pa- ghettos. Instead he turned it into Polish various cottages, sometimes in one and nel agreed that more and more frequent police and the Polish population, writing sometimes in another. However, nobody cases of accusing Poles of passivity or that it were Poles who guarded Jews. reported him to the German authorities Meanwhile, in original sources, the chair- except one person - a man who had been of Jews have an element of information man of the local Judenrat is described as punished many times for various crimes organizedwarfare and complicity are a historical in the Holocaustlie. a person who escorted his own family on before the war. Residents of the village - Unfortunately, the view prevailing in considered him an ordinary thug, but sin- the West is that Poles were able to help to the extermination camp, and then took ce Germany invaded Poland he has begun but did not do it, and that any attempts thepart first in subsequent day to a train deportations transporting - said Jews to “rule” the village. - German occupation caused reversal of the reality. The people the intention to clear their name by me- many occasions, he heard accusations in the village were afraid of the German toans punish of enacting those specialtalking laws.about If it we reflect do not themade historian. against HePoles also gathered confirmed by thethat on thug because he was supported by the understand that this is a belief prevailing Germans at the scene and witnessing the in the West, we will not overcome it - em- extermination of Jews, of their complicity TOMASZ SOMMER, the editor-in- in the murder by "not offering help". German state - said Gontarczyk. - anotherDr. potential reason for which Poles phasized"Holocaust Professor narrative" Bogdan showing Musiał. reluc- lar anti-Polish bias in the Western world? chiefcould of not Najwyższy help the Jewish Czas weekly population mentioned more tanceDr. toPiotr Poland, Gontarczyk which isnoted present that in this the How can we fight the spread of a simi 10 than they actually helped. - After 1939, the West, is more and more often inspired Poland must "join the European Holo- According to Professor Bogdan Musiał, w w w . dorzeczy. p l do rzeczy tygodnik lisickiego Polish Hecatomb and Fight against Polonophobia HISTORIA

caust debate" and describe the hecatomb - I would divide the issue of passivity of persons highly respected in Jewish of Poles so as to give no impression to and obedience of Polish Jews towards circles were also made in case of several the Jewish side that it is an attempt to Germans into two categories. On the one confront the victims and compare their hand, this passivity resulted from the number. - Poland has an opportunity to attitude that had developed over the cen- otherGermans, ghettos; whose for members example inwere Łódź. various change the way in which the Holocaust is turies in the case of Jews living in the dia- Jewish- Parastatal groups areorganizations another important created by presented but it must be a long process, spora, e.g, the principle adopted by them: element. They were involved in the Ho- a work started from the very foundations. locaust on a large scale. The parastatal We have to show that Poland was one of the countries in which you live. Another doreason not interferewas their in absolute the armed acceptance conflicts of of guidelines of the German state without victim - said the scientist, and summed up Jewishany objections. organization There implemented existed organi the- the pieces of the puzzle, and not the only take part in the Holocaust. In Norway, Jews powerhistorical - said aspects Dr. Ewa played Kurek. a very impor- that were to be deported to the camps -were It must caught be emphasized by the Norwegian that Poles police. did Thenot tant,The negative historian role also that, emphasized in her opinion, that zations whose task was to select Jews situation looked similar in and contributed to the passivity of Jews in the Another stance regarding that issue . And when speaking of this, in- face of extermination of their fellow citi- -was agreed presented Dr. Tomasz by Professor Sommer. Bogdan Mu- systematically choose the words "Ger- steadmans" of and using "German". the word It "Nazis"were Germans one should zens. In this context, she reminded that in siał, who tried to convince the audience who developed that system. These were

Germanpublicist, officials has a similar and German opinion. officers. He thinksTadeusz that whenPłużański, speaking a historian about genoand - cide during the Second World War one should stress that Poles became Hitler's of the Polish nation was a part of the firstnational victims, socialist and thatpolicy the of annihilation the Third Reich. - We have to remember about the Pomeranian Crime, about the camp in Stuthoff, which was created on the 2nd of September, about the crime in the Polish intelligentsia, and about mass Piaśnicacrimes commited forests, Palmiry, by Germans actions against against the Polish population. The Holocaust of The editor W. Wybranowski (standing with the microphone) moderates the discussion during the 2nd panel Photographer: Bartek Molga / www.molga.eu JewsPa camessiv itymuch or later, impotence said Płużański. of Jews? 1920, Isaac Grünbaum, the activist of the that Jews, similarly to Poles, were not able A part of the panel in which the spe- to effectively counteract the armed appa- - ratus of the German state administration. passivity to the Shoah, as well as the col- Zionistlity at that movement, time, demanded who represented that Poland the Hence, accusing them of being passive akers mentioned the difficult question of Uniongranted of cultural, Deputies social of the and Jewish political Nationa towards the Holocaust is, as he said, with Germany, which was often omitted autonomy to Jews living in Poland. The unfair. – It cannot be stated that Jews or laborationby historians, of the aroused influential a lot ofJewish emotions, circles authorities of the their Council of the Elders agreed to and also among internet viewers watching the considered this demand grotesque. accepted German actions. Such actions broadcasts from the conference, including - If we want to properly understand were enforced. One cannot claim, as Mrs. particularly unfavorable comments of the the nature of ghettos, we need to analy- Engelking does, that Polish village leaders were voluntarily engaged in extermina- EWA KUREK, a historian, when talking wrote (in years 1939-1942, he was the tion and neither can one say so about the journalistsabout ghettos from in GazetaWarsaw, Wyborcza Otwock and daily. zepresident what, for of example,the Warsaw Adam Judenrat). Czerniaków In Judenrats. In both cases, these people Dr. were forced to cooperate with Germany. his diary that Germans had promised And this is how we should talk about it - Łódź,Police emphasized and the Jewish the Council controversial of Elders, role i.e. Septemberthem independence 1940, Czerniaków and autonomy. wrote May in playedthe so-called by officers Judenrat. of the Chaim Jewish Rumkowski, Ghetto If we make effort trying to understand the president of the Jewish Council of Elders "I became the mayor of the Jewish saidattitudes Professor and fate Musiał, of Jews, and it he will concluded: be much - 1941 passed and Czerniaków added: easier for us to discuss such issues with a collaborator of Germans. historian said that similar declarations them. © ℗ 11 in the Łódź ghetto was a model example of autonomy." – Dr. Ewa Kurek quoted. The 18–24 XI 2019 4 7/ 2 0 1 9 HISTORIA Polish Hecatomb and Fight against Polonophobia

3rd Session:

A mobile banner sent to Germany with a protest against the lie of the ZDF television channel about the Auschwitz concentration camp Photographer: Lukasz Kobus/Forum Polonophobia – sources, examples and range 12

w w w . dorzeczy. p l do rzeczy tygodnik lisickiego Polish Hecatomb and Fight against Polonophobia HISTORIA

immersed in tradition, they cannot keep only be based on the ideological factor up with progress, and need to be dealt - the willingness to adapt to that part of with - said Professor Nowak. the debate about Poland that takes place Piotr Włoczyk In his opinion, however, there appe- abroad and to draw attention to the fact ared considerable changes in this context that the Polish Catholicism, being such an How can we define Polonophobia and recently. - This is no longer a teacher- important element of the Polish identity, effectively fight against it?T his topic student but rather a patient-therapist irritates many people - said the editor-in- relation metaphor. We are to be cured of was discussed by the participants of Polishness. I think this is a new stage of KAROL GAC the third conference panel. Polonophobia: fear of the Polish "disease" chiefwebsite, of Do who Rzeczy. was the moderator of the - noted the historian. discussion, asked from what the were Dorzeczy.pl the reasons his panel was attended by: Professor PAWEŁ LISICKI, the editor-in-chief that Poland has become a “whipping boy” in the recent years and how we should opinion that the main proponents of Polo- formulate certain concepts during the AndrzejThe discussion Nowak, was Paweł moderated Lisicki, Piotr by ofnophobia Do Rzeczy attacked weekly, the agreed Catholic with Church the in debate to describe different types of me- KarolT Gursztyn,Gac. and Leszek Żebrowski. asures targeted against Poland in the most - Hostility against Poland is very deeply Then, he elaborated on that thought accurate way. rooted in history. I think that these roots Polandsaying that in the in firstthis analysis,place. indication - We should distinguish Polonophobia can be divided into two categories. The of the role of Catholicism as one of the and anti-Polish bias from ordinary ten- main sources of reluctance to Polish- sions between particular ethnic groups. ness is highly accurate. Why is it so? The For example, Polonophobia is present in firstcultural one - is on the the rivalry European for power continent and powerful western neighbour of Poland German-Polish, Polish-Russian and partly influenceresulting from- not neighborhood,only political but especial also - was under the domination of the Prussian Polish-Jewish relations. It seems to me ly with the players of that geopolitical "enlightened ." The anti- game, who were stronger than Poland. Catholic element was almost embedded -Polish and Belarusian-Polish relations, Above all, it refers to the neighborhood thatwe are even dealing in Polish-Ukrainian, with an element Lithuanian of ethnic with Germans - said Professor ANDRZEJ and Bismarck Prussia. However, it can be hostility. However, there is no phobia NOWAK, historian from the Jagiellonian instated the officialthat the ideology same type of the of resentment Wilhelmine here as a permanent element related to University. – Germany is undoubtedly an was observed behind the eastern border, perception of the neighbor. Polonophobia older and stronger neighbor than Poland. where Russia has been developing its is a systemic psychological and social This neighborhood with Germans is con- power since the reign of Catherine the phenomenon. For example, in Polish-Ukra- nected with the feeling of their superiority Great. It was linked to the statements inian relations, hostility was like a sinusoid over the Slavs. Such attitude was summed – once it was visible, and then it disap- to whom Poland has become a symbol peared. On the other hand, the attitude chronicler Kosmas in the 12th century. madeof a disobedient by Voltaire country, and Diderot not able according to rule of Germans, marked by some disdain or upHe incalled the mostit "Innata concise germanica way by thesuperbia", Czech itself, with an omnipresent chaos. And yet, contempt, and the attitude of Russians which means the German innate pride. if someone is disobedient, then we need expressing hostile feelings against Poles Pride is shown to the neighbors from the people who will control that person ... - are well-established phenomena - said East who are considered worse, weaker, PIOTR GURSZTYN from TVP. In the context of Polonophobia, the LESZEK ŻEBROWSKI, a historical Professor Nowak noted that even tho- said Paweł Lisicki. columnist, author of many books about delayed,ugh Russia and also who had require great "merits"civilizing. in this of more and more frequent accusations the Polish Underground State, referred in area, for centuries Germany has played editor-in-chiefmade by Western of Dohistorians Rzeczy remindedagainst the his speech to the term "Polish Hecatomb" major role in developing Polonophobia, in the occupied Poland. that was put forward at the conference, and contempt for Polishness. - In his book entitled "Black Earth", Ti- which would cover the entirety of Polish – This universalistic concept became mothy Snyder puts forward a thesis accor- victims and suffering that were the outco- ding to which if the Polish Catholic Church me of confrontation with two totalitarian when Voltaire's vision was promoted. It during the Second World War stood up to systems. crystallizedwas all about in the the hierarchy according to the task, it would write a pastoral letter - The purpose of such meetings as the which there were teachers in the West condemning German actions. Meanwhile, and recalcitrant students in the East. This everyone who has at least minimum know- concept was developed upon the order ledge of the scale of the German occupation onedescribe we hold this today phenomenon. is to organize "Hecatomb" terms, of the enemies of Poland - Catherine the in Poland is aware how completely absurd findis a concept a new category understandable that could in bethis used room, to Great and Frederick II. It was about Poles' is such idea. Priests were, after all, killed but if we went to the campus of the War- Catholic identity, and about destroying more often than any other social group in saw University and conducted a survey the Catholic Church as a source of evil. among a hundred randomly selected The said concept has been transferred How can we explain the presence of persons, I suppose that 80 percent of them to the present times, and according to its Polandsuch accusation? - emphasized Paweł Lisicki. would have no idea what that word me- present meaning, Poles are not able to ans. Introducing a new concept into public rule in their own country being too deeply by the lack of knowledge. Therefore, it can consciousness would require several 13 – In my opinion, this cannot be justified 18–24 XI 2019 4 7/ 2 0 1 9 HISTORIA Polish Hecatomb and Fight against Polonophobia

with beautiful words during the ceremony of receiving the honorary doctorate of the University of . He said that if he was

was one word that came to his mind. It was lookinga word that for a contorted definition our of Polishness, face in a grima there- ce of disagreement: "Independence." The particle "in" at the beginning of the word is very clearly marked. This Polish word

"Niepodległość" translated into English as "Independence"independence. Independence is recognized fromall over what? the world.From Google, Let's be from independent. Facebook. Let's We should call for Discussion during the 3rd panel. With the microphone - not be afraid of protesting against this editor Piotr Gursztyn Photographer: Bartek Molga / www.molga.eu system of enslavement. It can be understo- od by those being rebellious, by people who years of systematic teaching at all levels are fed up with global lies, global apparatus of education, as well as introducing it to of political correctness that is increasingly recognize different forms of Polonophobia,- obstructing the freedom of thought. - The groups that propagate Polono- iniansincluding – who those are expressed more numerous, in more and We should make a reference to Polish phobiamass culture are interested - said Leszek in making Żebrowski. the image , but Lithuanians or even Ukra traditions - independence, demolition of of Poland as bad as possible. This is a stage is perceived negatively for the rest of the imperialist structures that were lost in the of preparations for the events that are influentialworld. The - main do not players create on this today's image global that Polish "black hole". This reasoning is justi- ahead of us ... - said the columnist. - We scene of creating a black PR for Poland are must remember both about external and Americans, including the Jewish lobby, as the initial "in", contort your face in a gri- internal Polonophobia. It is expressed well as some European countries such as fiedmace - youof opposition can utter thatagainst word the emphasizing system of by certain Polish media and institutions Germany or , where also the Jewish common enslavement, which today takes lobby and the tradition of Voltaire occupy different forms than in the times of Hitler - a very important place. It is also Russia, and Stalin, but captivates the thoughts financed from the state budget, on which equipped with the tools for exerting global even "more effectively" than in the past. the authorities have no influence - inclu- According to Professor Nowak, an ding Polin museum - emphasized Leszek extremely popular Russia Today television alternative would be to accept the global Żebrowski,took place in and 1974 recalled at the an Israeli event embassy descri influence,channel. In for the example, US alone, in it the has form 15 million of the language of history, i.e. to make an attempt bed by Professor Norman Davies, which to "extend" the concept of "the Holocaust" Nowak. so as to cover Poles. According to the hi- inhistorians, London. ProfessorAccording Yehuda to the accounts Bauer, an regularIn his viewers opinion, - saidthe idea Professor of promoting​​ Andrzej storian, however, a more effective solution ofIsraeli Professor historian, Davies, presented at a meeting the history with of the term "Polish Hecatomb" will not prove would be to focus on portraying Poles as the Holocaust in an extremely biased way, successful. Why? - The level of modern a nation that is ready to give everything for accusing Poles in gremio of "being passive education is so low that this concept is independence. observers" of the extermination of Jews. completely incomprehensible for today's „Germans are rarely spoken of collec- young recipients. I am afraid that the Polish tively, based on stereotypes, unlike Poles. state does not have any means to embed statedFinally, that editor the concept Paweł ofLisicki "Hecatomb" started is The word “Germans” was not used in the concept of "Hecatomb" in the global anot polemic understandable with Leszek enough. Żebrowski, who consciousness. A fundamental problem - If we conducted a survey at the collaborators, victims, but only Jews, and arises here, namely, can we undertake an University of Princeton in the 1960s and thatthose scheme. passive, There that is were Poles" the - Nazissaid Profes and - act of sabotage in the language that is used asked students what was the Holocaust, in the global discourse? Can we impose nobody would answer. The effectiveness our own narrative, a counter-language, on of the state policy combined with informa- sorsaid Davies that when in his he interview protested for against Dziennik such this global perception of history? Or will tion spread by the media and the conscio- Gazetadepiction Prawna of history, daily. he The was British called historian a "polo- we attempt to carry out a kind of sabotage us will of the nation to deal with such an nophile". as part of the existing global "commonly important topic shows that it is possible to - It became an invective. A man who has accepted" language? This is the most change human mentality on a massive sca- a rather friendly attitude towards Poland important strategic choice that has to be le. I am aware that we are not and and does not want to participate in defa- mation of Poland is a "polonophile" - said the introduction of that term describing madethen the - said word Professor 'independence' Andrzej will Nowak. be the wethe docrimes not have against such Poles influence. into the Therefore, global key- toI think the tale that of if the we Polish adopt historythe first – variant, he ad- - theLeszek main, Żebrowski. in his opinion, sources of Polo- ded. The late Russian writer, Iosif Brodski, ger, but I think that that the game is worth 14 nophobiaProfessor in today's Andrzej world. Nowak - I pointedobviously to who was a friend of Poland, described it languagethe candle. will © ℗be difficult and will last lon

w w w . dorzeczy. p l do rzeczy tygodnik lisickiego Polish Hecatomb and Fight against Polonophobia HISTORIA

4th Session:

Late Karol Tendera (in the foreground) and attorney Lech Obara during the trial against ZDF Photographer: Jacek Bednarczyk

starting from early 2018. We all remem- ber that six-month long discussion - said PAWEŁ LISICKI, editor, who was the moderator of the panel. - As you know, the government eventually withdrew from this draft amendment in its original shape, Law and Polish removing those elements that aroused the mean that no additional forms of protec- greatesttion are neededobjections. here? Does It is this not withdrawal only about the law, but about the methods that give remembrance people the possibility to react to obvious some new solutions and new methods of distortion of Polish history. Don’t we need he panel was attended by: Profes- action? – asked the editor-in-chief ofJERZY Do RzeczyKWAŚNIEWSKI weekly. from Ordo Iuris. - I re- Piotr Włoczyk sor Maciej Szymanowski, attorney memberThe first that speaker in 2017, was when attorney the amen - TLech Obara, editor Grzegorz dment to the Act on the Institute of Does law sufficiently protect moderator.Górny, attorney Jerzy Kwaśniewski, National Remembrance was at the early Polish remembrance? The and editor Paweł Lisicki, who was the stage of discussions, members of the such a question is simple: probably the International Association of Genocide participants of the last panel, i.e. - The first and obvious answer to Scholars (IAGS) were working on a sta- the 4th Session of the conference tement against the Polish government. lawtalked does about not itsufficiently at the very protect beginning Polish of the According to that statement, Poland "Polish Hecatomb and Fight remembrance.conference, when Minister he mentioned Zbigniew the Ziobro origin was a passive observer of the Holocaust, against Polonophobia" tried to of the idea of amending​​ the Act on the co-responsible for crimes and as such, answer this question. Institute of National Remembrance, and it could not enact legal provisions on recalled everything that happened later a local, domestic, scale, i.e., amend 15

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the Act on the Institute of National Remembrance, as it would in fact lead to

where the false version of history is falsificationapproved by of the history system and of tocriminal a situation law

- At that time, we sent an analysis of -the said amendment Mr. Kwaśniewski. to the Act on the Institute of National Remembrance conducted by Ordo Iuris to the IAGS management. As a member of that association, I talked to the directors of IAGS and it turned out that they did not have elementary know- ledge about the history of coexistence of Poles and Jews in the Second Republic of Poland. They did not have any know- ledge about how the Jewish community functioned in Poland, or about the history of the cooperation of partisans during the war, attempts to protect the Jewish Editor Paweł Lisicki moderating the discussion during the th community, or about the death penalty 4 conference session Photographer: Bartek Molga / www.molga.eu for serving a slice of bread to the hungry ones. As a result of presentation of these the accusation of Poland of its complicity basic facts, the statement against the in the crime of the Holocaust should lead that there were certain claims whose Polish government has never been sent. on the international level to unanimous formsatisfaction of the Terezincan be demanded, Declaration, said confirm Mr. Of course, we failed to persuade them recognition that - for example - Poland [members of the IAGS association - ed.] to should provide or participate in the - When we are talking about Polono- support this project [amendment to the compensation for that crime - explained phobiaKwaśniewski. and anti-Polish bias, we under- Act on the Institute of National Remem- stand these phenomena primarily as brance - ed.] and to make them acknow- to examine whether there is any eviden- ledge obvious things, such as the fact ceMr. that Jerzy a legendKwaśniewski. of Polish – Thecomplicity next step has is boils down to attributing complicity in that in Israel, Austria, Germany, France evolved on the international level in the athe very Holocaust specific toand Poles current and theirtendency: bene -it and in many other countries, there are recent years, that not only there is an provisions that prohibit spreading lies agreement that perhaps one should ac- We must be aware that it leads to very concerning the Holocaust. fiting from the crimes related thereto. like IAGS, which may require that Poland "Investment" ceptshould the humble position itself taken towards by organizations the victims specificby those conclusions who are now within expressing the scope such of in anti-Polish bias of the Holocaust. We should also examine verystatements. specific In benefits our discussions that can be concer gained- if there exist grounds based on which ning Polonophobia and anti-Polish bias Ordo Iuris, purposeful distortion of Poland may be obliged to provide certain we often focus on culture, journalism, Poland'sAs emphasized image on bythe the international expert from stage during the Second World War may Finally Mr. Kwasniewski referred to lead to legal consequences that will be benefits ... and filmmaking, but it all has definitely very dangerous for our country, and, as widely discussed recently due to the furtherThe second reaching speaker effects in – thestated debate Jerzy - thepassing Terezin of the Declaration, 447 Act by which the American has been Kwaśniewskiwas LECH OBARA from, Ordowho hasIuris. been de- - Congress. aling with defense of Poland's positive atation result, of alsothis financialstrategy byones. foreign Mr. Kwa entities - As we know, ten years ago in Prague, image before the courts for many years. śniewskiconcerned explained looked like. how the implemen a conference entitled "Holocaust Era Mr. Obara provided legal advice, among - Assets Conference" was held. Its out- others, to Karol Tender, a prisoner of

international- Professor common Karol Wolfke, law, said an out that an conference was attended by the Secretary standinginternational Polish standard expert inof thecommon field of law is comeof State was of the TerezinPolish Ministry Declaration. of Fore The- theusing Nazi the concentration phrase "Polish camps, death whocamps". sued created when a certain practice becomes ign Affairs, described in the conference ZDF,- I the treat German legal measures television as station, subsidiary, for well established on the international documents as the representative of the complementary to all other measures level to the extent that it can be regar- Polish Prime Minister for international used to combat anti-Polish bias and ded as accepted either through direct - historical lies, which should be under- consent or through passive consent given taken by both diplomatic services and by all interested countries. Therefore, we dialogue,Poland's obligations namely, Mr. to Władysław satisfy any Barto claims, - have started examination of the extent to szewski.but nevertheless Obviously, he heparticipated did not talk in about the tions. The phrase "Polish death camps" 16 which certain conclusions arising from conference, whose conclusions, in the publicis being diplomacy, imprinted i.e. in socialthe consciousness organiza

w w w . dorzeczy. p l do rzeczy tygodnik lisickiego Polish Hecatomb and Fight against Polonophobia HISTORIA

of recipients, and creates a false image appeared on the market. The English War, Poland will be in the lost position of Poland as an accomplice in the crimes with respect to two issues. committed during the Second World - - First, as far as war reparations from translation was in turn financed by the - that the actions aimed at counteracting relatedowner of to the the fishing statement boat made - said by Grze the cult to demand them if the demanding War - said Lech Obara. He also noted gorzPrime Górny. Minister He added:Morawiecki - When broke the crisisout partyGermany will are be perceivedconcerned, as it the will perpetra be diffi - levels bring measurable effects. For much later and the head of government tor, not the victim. The second question falsificationexample, in 2015,of Polish Polish history diplomatic on various took foreign journalists to Markowa is the restitution of heirless property services raised protest in 177 of such [where the Ulma Family Museum of Po- to the Jews. The same argument can be cases. In 2018, this number decreased les Saving Jews during the Second World used here. All the more so, the Polish by almost one-third. According to Mr. War is located - editor's note], this was state should be careful as regards this Obara, the lawsuits brought by the the only English-language book he could issue and create "rapid response forces" Patria Nostra association against the show them regarding that issue. to tackle these matters. largest media companies, including Axel - The fact that we are accused of - Why so little is happening in these Springer, changed the situation for the anti-Semitism, racketeering, plunder of better. Jewish property and Holocaust compli- MACIEJ SZYMANOWSKI, director of the - As a result, now we no longer hear city is not a matter of neglect. This is the matters? - Paweł Lisicki asked Professor- such descriptions from this company, result of efforts made by many people - - for several decades. This driving force of Wacławmanowski Felczak responded Institute that of since Polish-Hun 2015 mistic: the combination of various tools the State as pointed in a completely dif- garianthere have Cooperation. been major Professor changes Szy in this which is definitely a reason to be opti area, including activities of the Pilecki Obara. Institute and a joint declaration of the can bring success - emphasized Lech ferent direction - emphasized the editor Prime Ministers of Poland and Israel in Driving force Grzegorzhistorical Górny.diplomacy He added: was established - It was only 2018. In his speech, he also referred to In the further part of the discussion, aoutside month of ago Poland. that the I am first talking institution about ofthe Berlin branch of the Pilecki Institute, the Batory Foundation, where the thesis which has its seat a hundred meters thethat conference the State was organized not allowed in 2004 to pursue by Pawełthe attitudes Lisicki ofasked Poles about during the the methods Second away from the Brandenburg Gate. We historical policy was promoted. ofWorld fighting War, against which arefalse not opinions as openly about had to wait almost thirty years after the - I think that we will not be able to fall of communism for the establish- once again enact the above-mentioned phrase "Polish death camps". - How ment of such institution. What is more, amendment to the Act on the Institute falsified and not as easy to verify as the it turns out that now law needs to be of National Remembrance, because we opinions, because legal regulations are changed because there were no regu- already know that we cannot release should we fight against these other false lations that would allow such institu- "tanks" if we do not have "infantry" - tions to operate abroad. For example, probably not sufficient in this case? - the institute cannot sell publications What tools should the Polish State askedand I think the editor-in-chief that from the pointof Do Rzeczy.of view because the law does not allow this. So saiduse to Professor push through Szymanowski. the truth about of our- Indeed, discussion, the law the here concept is not of sufficient "the how is it supposed to reach the public Poland's history during the last war on if it can't run a bookstore, sell records, the international stage? is one of the instruments in the hands of etc.? It shows the amount of work that - If the Federal Republic of Germany drivingthe State force but itof is the not State" the only is crucial. one and Law it still is to be performed. If we talk about can award 200 scholarships per year to is not the most important. The State has the driving force of the State, it seems many tools to initiate that driving force, to me that no state strategy has been from American universities who study doctoralthe history students of Germany and holders and Central of Ph.D his own experience of how the Polish necessary to establish a team, present Europe, then I see no reason why Poland saidinstitutions Mr. GRZEGORZ implemented GÓRNY, the and policy recalled of developeda diagnosis in of this the field.situation, I think establish that it is could not fund at least 100 similar remembrance. When he started writing a plan of action, and implement it scholarships in the USA and one hun- a book, a decade ago, about Poles who consistently. Unfortunately, nothing like dred more in Germany - said Professor saved Jews, he asked the state institu- that has happened so far. We must be aware that the opponent is powerful. - Szymanowski.operation also Directorreminded of of the an Wacław initiative tions for help. As Mr. Górny mentioned, institution than the Polish State, and Felczakpresented Institute by the ofPolish Polish-Hungarian Prime Minister Co officialsthat the bookreplied would that theydescribe would ... rackete help - Theyet Pius Catholic XII has Church been iscalled a more Hitler's efficient financeers in the the same project, proportion provided, as however,it descri- collaborator and it still works today. The bed the righteous ones. Mateusz- A tree Morawiecki, of the Righteous which should he believes be - As a result, the book was published shouldplanted definitely for Poland be as implemented. a nation. I see no thanks to a group of several Polish Catholic"Rapid Church res ponis nots eable force to fights" it … entrepreneurs and managers. Each a tree, while in the case of Poland there of them invested about 10,000 Polish Poles are pidgeonholed as perpetrators reasonare only why trees the planted Danish for nation individual has such per - ratherMr. Grzegorzthan victims Górny of the stated Second that Worldif © ℗ 17

18–24 XI 2019 4 7/ 2 0 1 9 zlotys and thus, a richly illustrated book sons - said Professor Szymanowski.