86th anniversary of the first mass deportation of Polish citizens to the Soviet Union
On February 10, we commemorated the 86th anniversary of the first mass deportation of Polish citizens to the Soviet Union.
It is an honor for us that on this special day we were able to host deportees to Siberia, continuing the long-standing tradition of organizing anniversary celebrations at the Center. Fort Skotniki, the headquarters of the UKEN Center for Documentation of Deportations, Expulsions, and Resettlements, has for years been a meeting place for witnesses to history, not only with representatives of state and local authorities, but also with the academic community and young people, serving as a space of remembrance and a tribute to the deportees.
The first part of the ceremony commemorating the victims of Soviet crimes took place at Father Adam Studziński Square. Flowers were laid at the plaque dedicated to the deportees to Siberia by representatives of the University of the National Education Commission, among others.
The second part of the event took place at Fort Skotniki, the headquarters of the CDZWiP UKEN. After listening to the Siberian Anthem, Ms. Wanda Puszko-Tarnawska, President of the Siberian Association, Krakow Branch, took the floor and recalled the history of the exiles and referred to issues that are currently important to the polish Siberians.
Next to speak were: Dr. Maciej Korkuć, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland – on behalf of President Karol Nawrocki; Elżbieta Achinger, First Deputy Governor of Małopolska Province; Stanisław Kracik, Deputy Mayor of Krakow; representatives of the authorities of the University of the National Education Commission: Prof. Dariusz Rott, Chairman of the University Council, Prof. Michał Rogoż, Vice-Rector for Science, Prof. Jacek Chmieliński, Vice-Rector for Education; and Capt. Bartłomiej Czech-Kosiński.
Later in the ceremony, President Wanda Puszko-Tarnawska presented awards granted by the Siberian Association. Dr. Anna Hejczyk-Gołąb, an employee of CDZWiP UKEN, received the Gold Badge of Honor for her services to the Siberian Association.
Next, Dr. Alicja Śmigielska, Director of CDZWiP UKEN, presented the most important activities carried out by the Center in 2025 to those gathered.
After the official part of the ceremony, the guests viewed the permanent exhibition entitled “Deported to Siberia. The fate of Polish citizens deported deep into the Soviet Union during World War II.”
The organizers of the 86th anniversary of the first mass deportation of Polish citizens to the Soviet Union were: the Governor of Małopolska, the Director of the Institute of National Remembrance in Krakow, the Rector of the University of the National Education Commission in Krakow, the Center for Documentation of Deportations, Expulsions and Resettlements of the UKEN, and the Management Board of the Krakow Branch of the Siberian Association.
