The Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance Dr Mateusz Szpytma along with representatives of the IPN, are taking part in Polish Days organized by the Polish Consulate in Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, as part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining its Independence, which will last until 1 May 2018.

On Thursday (26 April), Mateusz Szpytma took part in the opening of a scientific conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Rebirth of Poland. The meeting was held at the
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Papers were presented by, among others, Dr Karol Nawrocki, Director of the Museum of the Second World War, Selim Chazbijewicz, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Kazakhstan and the academic staff of the University and the Archives of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance thanked the hosts for the invitation to the celebration of such an important anniversary for Poles. During the conference, he presented the scope of the Institute's activities and stressed that Kazakhstan is an important place for Poles. - The Institute's task is to protect the memory of our heroes, numerous Poles sent to Kazakhstan, many of whom stayed there and received support from the Kazakhs - said Dr Szpytma. The Deputy president recalled the figure of Father Władysław Bukowiński, a Polish priest from the Borderlands, sent to Kazakhstan. In 1955, Father Bukowiński was able to return to work in Poland and to his relatives whom he loved dearly, but he nonetheless decided to stay in Kazakhstan, to serve the people who needed him most - In his memoirs, he spoke very warmly of Kazakhs, thus enabling greater familiarization between the two nations. I hope that Poland will continue its cooperation with Kazakhstan - added the Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance.

The first Vice-Rector of the Kazakh National University Mukhambetkali Burkitbayew thanked President Szpytma for visiting Kazakhstan and for the wonderful work that the Institute of National Remembrance is carrying out in maintaining the memory of Poles and Polish heroes. - The very name "Institute of National Remembrance" is very special. Thanks to the Institute, the memory lasts - said the Vice-Rector.

On Thursday, the Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance will take part in the opening of the exhibition "Anders Army - Trail of Hope" in the Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan.