“The agreement signed today will allow us to carry out educational activities in Russia. It is very important to us” - said Dr. Lukasz Kaminski, the President of the Institute of National Remembrance, shortly after signing the agreement with the State Central Museum of Contemporary History of Russia.

The agreement provides for joint scientific and research activities, exchange of experience and preparation of joint exhibitions and educational activities in the field of history. “The main task is to tell the story of political repressions against Poles, Russians and other nationalities, so that these people are not forgotten” said Sergey Arkhangelov, Director of the Museum.

So far IPN has worked mainly with Russian institutions, state and civil, which deal with archives. The agreement, signed on Tuesday, is immensely important for Poland. It will allow conducting educational activities in Russia.

The details of the cooperation are the subject of discussions which were held since Monday. Russians, for example, are very interested in Polish means of identification of victims of mass repression.

In addition to the heads of IPN and the Russian Museum the signing ceremony was also attended by representatives of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, Council for the Protection of Struggle and Martyrdom Sites, and other institutions. Also present were Minister Adam Daniel Rotfeld, Polish co-chair of the Polish-Russian Group on Difficult Matters, Dr. Sławomir Dębski, Director of the Centre for Polish-Russian Dialogue and Understanding and Jan Sroka from the Office of Combatants

The State Central Museum of Contemporary History of Russia, in addition to conducting exhibition activities, also carries out research on the recent history of Russia, issues academic publications and organises conferences and seminars.

Photos: Katarzyna Hołopiak