On the 80th anniversary of the transformation of the Union of Armed Struggle into the Home Army, the Institute of National Remembrance has prepared numerous events in order to commemorate this largest underground army in Europe. The most important initiatives will be presented during the press conference with the participation of the President of the Institute of National Remembrance, Karol Nawrocki, Ph.D., on 10 February 2022 at 10:00, at the IPN’s “History Point” Educational Center in Warsaw.
Apart from the President of the IPN, the conference was attended by the Vice-President of the World Association of Home Army Soldiers, Wiesław Wysocki, Ph.D., the President of the PGE National Włodzimierz Dola and the Director of the Institute’s National Education Office, Adam Hlebowicz.
The Home Army was a national Polish force representing the legal government in exile. It was not affiliated with any political party, and everyone could join: Socialists, Christian Democrats, former supporters of Piłsudski, Peasant or National parties members
said IPN's President, Karol Nawrocki, Ph.D.
The Institute’s key undertaking as part of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Union of Armed Struggle’s transformation into the Home Army is an exhibition prepared by the IPN’s National Education Office on the most important facts related to the Polish underground, which is to be presented throughout Poland during 2022. The National Education Office has also prepared a competition for young people called “The Underground Army. People, Places and Armed Struggle of the Home Army ”.
After 1945, it was not gratitude that awaited our heroes but imprisonment, and often death. For this reason, on the 80th anniversary of the Home Army establishment, we pay homage, delayed by the period of communism, to all Home Army soldiers.
added Mr. Karol Nawrocki.
“80/80. Home Army Heroes” — this is the title of a project prepared by the IPN’s Branch Office in Cracow. It is a series of infographics presenting the profiles of selected 80 Home Army Heroes in order to portray the diversity of the Polish underground army. Among the selected profiles, the Institute will present well known figures such as the commanders of the Home Army, as well as those who are less known to the general public. We will present both commanders and rank-and-file soldiers, staff members, soldiers of subversive troops, intelligence officers, couriers, liaison officers or people involved in the conspiratorial production of weapons or air transfers.
The cooperation between the Institute of National Remembrance and the PGE National Stadium is another important part of the project. It will result in, among others, displaying the logo of the campaign “Poland, I’m in love” on the stadium’s facade on 14 February starting at 5:00 p.m.
The President of the IPN, Karol Nawrocki, Ph.D, has also prepared a spot on this occasion. He has moreover authored three articles, in which he reminds the readers about the ideals the Home Army soldiers were faithful to and how this makes them ideal role models for the next generations of Poles. The texts are going to be published in Polish and international media outlets in several languages.
In addition, the Institute of National Remembrance has prepared a large scale, nationwide billboard campaign concerning the anniversary. The aim of the campaign is to present both the key and less-known facts about the Home Army, also in connection with the theme of Valentine’s Day.