×
Search this website for:
23.11.2018

A visit of the delegation of the Institute of National Remembrance to Khmelnytskyi and Kamianets-Podilskyi (Ukraine) - 22-23 November 2018

On 23 November, the open-air exhibition of the IPN Archive "Order No. 00485. The Anti-Polish operation of the NKVD in Soviet Ukraine 1937-1938” was opened in the city of Khmelnytskyi." The ceremonial opening of the exhibition, in which the victims of the NKVD "Polish operation" were presented, was attended by the delegation of the Institute of National Remembrance headed by the President of the Institute-Dr Jarosław Szarek, Marzena Kruk-Director of the IPN Archive and Adam Hlebowicz- Director of the Public Education Office.

On 22 November, representatives of the Institute of National Remembrance visited the National University in Kamianets-Podilskyi, one of the first Ukrainian universities, founded in 1918. The University, which in January 2008 was given a national status, has always been an important center of science and culture in Podolia.

During the visit, the President of the IPN, Dr Jarosław Szarek, handed copies of documents from the IPN Archive related to Ivan Ohijenka, the patron of the university- an outstanding theologian and linguist, founder and first rector of the university, to Serhiy Kopylov, the current rector.

In the afternoon the delegation attended a Holy Mass in the Kamianets-Podilskyi Cathedral of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Before the mass, the representatives met with Fr. Roman Twaróg, pastor of St. Peter and Paul, decorated by the President of the Republic of Poland with the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. Next, the representatives of the Institute of National Remembrance paid a visit to Fr. Bishop. Leon Dubrawski, Ordinary of the Diocese of Kamianets.

On Friday, 23 November, the main point of the visit of the IPN delegation was the opening of the exhibition "Order No. 00485. Anti-Polish operation of the NKVD in Soviet Ukraine 1937-1938" in Khmelnytskyi.

President Jarosław Szarek will also award the Cross of Freedom and Solidarity to Fr. Bishop. Jan Niemiec, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Kamyanets.

Fr. Bishop. Jan Niemiec - in 1977-1982 he was a participant in the Academic Pastoral at the parish of Christ the King in Rzeszów. In October 1980 he co-organized the NZS at the Higher Pedagogical School in Rzeszów (among others, he organized the Rzeszów White March Against Violence after the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in May 1981). In the years 1981-1982 he worked as a teacher in a school in Kozłówek near Strzyżów, where he was the founder and chairman of the Independent Trade Union of NSZZ "Solidarność". After December 13, 1981, he wrote two individual protest letters. Two searches were carried out in his apartment to find copies of the above-mentioned letters, in 1982 he was detained for 48 hours in connection with the hanging of solidarity posters, of which he was a co-author. In the years 1987-1989 vicar by the chaplain of "Solidarity", Fr. Edward Frankowski in the parish of Our Lady Queen of Poland in Stalowa Wola. He played a special role during the strike in Stalowa Wola in August 1988, celebrating Masses and giving homilies to the striking workers.


Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up for a fresh look at history: stay up to date with the latest events, get new texts by our researchers, follow the IPN’s projects