Thanks to the signed agreement, Polish historians will gain access to the archives allowing them to learn more about the fate of the Anders' Army in Uzbekistan, as well as have a chance to find unmarked burial sites of Poles in the country. After the signing ceremony, the Polish delegation learned about the work of the National Archive of Uzbekistan and viewed an exhibition of archival materials on the historical and cultural ties between Uzbekistan and Poland.
The signing of the agreement was part of the celebrations in Tashkent, marking the 80th anniversary of General Anders' Army. Among those who attended the events were Polish Ambassador to Italy Anna Maria Anders, Deputy Director of the IPN Branch in Gdańsk Professor Mirosław Golon, as well as representatives of veteran and Polish communities.
Participants of the ceremonies laid wreaths at the monument erected next to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Tashkent in honour of the soldiers of General Anders' Army. The memorial also commemorates Polish civilians, former prisoners of war and inmates of Soviet gulags who died in 1942 on their way to the Homeland.
On the same day, K. Nawrocki inaugurated the IPN exhibition "Trails of Hope. Odyssey of Freedom" at the Museum of Victims of Political Repression in Tashkent. The project aims to commemorate the efforts taken by the Polish Armed Forces during World War II and the fate of the civilian population evacuated from the USSR with General Anders' Army.
Polish soldiers commanded by General Anders deeply believed that their fight and sacrifice would bring victory over Germany and help them return to free Poland. It was this faith that led them across three continents. General Anders is also remembered as the man who liberated thousands of people and their families from Soviet enslavement. Their paths often took them to Uzbekistan,
said Karol Nawrocki, Ph.D.
During the ceremonies, the President also awarded the IPN "Republicae Memoriae Meritum" medals. With this decoration, the Institute of National Remembrance honors those who endeavour to commemorate events and figures from the history of the Polish Nation in the years 1917-1990 and support the IPN in educational, scientific and publishing activities.
The Polish Culture Center in Uzbekistan awarded the IPN President with the Trail of Hope Memory Cross in appreciation of his work commemorating the pre-1942 plight of Poles in the USSR and their post-1942 journey.