×
Search this website for:
16.11.2010

IPN visits Toronto, 21–28 November 2010

Between 21 and 28 November 2010 a delegation from the Institute of National Remembrance visited in Toronto. The delegation consisted of Dr. Rafał Leśkiewicz, the Acting Director of the Office for the Preservation and Dissemination of Archival Records, Marcin Majewski, the Head of Section of Archival Research and the Sources Edition and Dr. Jerzy Bednarek, Deputy Head of the Branch Office for the Preservation and Dissemination of Archival Records in Łódź. The visit was related to the promotion of IPN’s English-language publication "Holodomor. The Great Famine in Ukraine 1932-1933" (the series "Poland and Ukraine in the thirties-forties of the twentieth century. Unknown documents from the archives of the special services"). The employees of the Institute were invited by The League of Ukrainian Canadians. During the stay in Toronto, the IPN’s delegation met twice with representatives of the Canadian Polish Congress - including Jan Cytowski, the Vice President and the local Polish community. On 22 November Dr. Leśkiewicz gave a lecture in the John Paul II’s Cultural Centre in Mississauga on "The files of the secret police. Polish experience with the documents of the communist secret services". Dr. Bednarek, on the other hand, discussed the scientific output of the IPN’s Archive department. The next meeting with the authorities of the Canadian Polish Congress took place on 24 November at the headquarters of the Polish Combatants' Associations. The participants discussed how the IPN could help the Canadian Polish Congress in areas such as protection of the Poland’s good image in the international arena.

On 23 November at the headquarters of the Ukrainian diaspora (Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation) in Toronto a promotion was held of the English-language publication on the Great Famine. Dr. Rafał Leśkiewicz talked about cooperation between the Separate State Archives of the Security Service of Ukraine and the IPN’s Office for the Preservation and Dissemination of Archival Records, dr. Bednarek spoke on the book’s history and Mr. Majewski on the Great Famine and the documents enclosed in the publication. The Ukrainian immigrant media were present at the promotion.

On 24 November in the Munk Centre at the University of Toronto, another presentation of the book took place with the participation of Mr. Marek Ciesielczuk, the Consul General of Poland and Mr. Oleksandr Danylejki, Consul General of Ukraine and also researchers dealing with the Great Famine. The event was organized with the participation of Petro Jacyk’s Center Program for the Study of Ukraine, The Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, Chair of Constantine Reynert Polish Studies and The League of Ukrainian Canadians. Dr. Leśkiewicz and Mr. Majewski gave a lecture on "Archival Cooperation Between the Polish Institute of National Remembrance and the Security Service of Ukraine on the History of the Holodomor."

On 25 November in Jacyk Petro's Center at the University of Toronto, there was another presentation of the English-language publication of the IPN. Head Majewski presented book, and then marked the official transfer of work by the director, Dr. BUiAD Leśkiewicza Director Robarts Research Library at the University of Toronto. Was present at the presentation include prof. Paul. R. Magocsi. The staff of the IPN were then briefed on the operation of Jacyk Petro `s Center and watched the exhibition at the Robarts Library.

On 26 November the IPN’s delegation took part in a press conference at the Consulate General of Poland with the participation of Polish media. In the evening the IPN’s representatives visited the Ukrainian Canadian Research and Documentation Center (St. Vladimir Institute), where they again presented the publication of "Holodomor. The Great Famine in Ukraine". Mr. Majewski discussed the documents published in this publication, as well as current projects that are carried out in collaboration with the WAP SB of Ukraine. The IPN’s delegation was acquainted with the collection of oral stories held at the Centre. IPN presented electronic archive aids regarding the Ukraine on the website of the Institute of National Remembrance.

On 27 November the IPN’s delegation took part in an official dinner with Ambassador of Ukraine in Ottawa, dr. Ihor Ostasz, Consul General of Ukraine, Mrs. Chyczij, deputy head of Ukrainian Canadian Congress and Mr. Cytowski, Deputy Chairman of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

During the stay, the delegation laid flowers at the Katyń monument in Toronto and also visited the location of the planned monument of the Great Famine in Ukraine, where they laid flowers the “Holodomor" bell.

During a meeting at the Consulate General of Poland with the participation of Mr. Wrzesnewski, Member of Parliament of Canada and Consul General of Poland and Consul General Ukraine IPN’s delegation received official acknowledgments from Jason Kenney, the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism and a letter from Stephen Harper, Canadian Prime Minister, on the anniversary of the Great Famine in Ukraine.
 


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