News
Decorations for Residents of Oświęcim and the Vicinity Who Aided Auschwitz Prisoners
Małopolska Voivode Maciej Klima presented orders granted by the President of the Polish Republic to people who extended help to concentration camp prisoners. These people of good will were honored with the Officer’s Cross and Knight’s Cross of the Order of Poland Reborn.
Awarded by the President of the Polish Republic in a decree of January 25, 2007, the orders were originally to be presented during the anniversary of liberation on January 27. However, reasons of health prevented some of the recipients from attending (the youngest was 75 and the oldest 98).
Former Auschwitz prisoners also took part in the ceremony. In emotional words, they expressed gratitude for the help they received, which had enormous significance for them and, on more than one occasion, saved prisoners’ lives. Today they thanked their benefactors once again, in a symbolic manner.
“We are gathered today, in this special place, to honor the residents of the Land of Oświęcim who aided prisoners of Auschwitz and the sub-camps, despite the risk of harsh punishment from the German authorities,” Małopolska Voivode Maciej Klima remarked. “May these distinctions serve as an expression of the gratitude of the Polish people for the heroic deeds of these people who dared to act even in such difficult circumstances. I would like to thank you for the witness you have borne for the sake of future generations.”
“For us, this is a very emotional event connected with the commemoration of this place and its history,” said Museum deputy director Teresa Świebocka. She added that the gathering was a continuation of the ceremonies held on January 27.
In turn, the people of good will who received decorations for aiding prisoners expressed their gratitude for the orders, but also noted that they acted in a completely disinterested way, out of the natural impulses of their hearts. They also thanked the Museum for commemorating the history of Auschwitz, which includes the memory of the people of good will from Auschwitz and the vicinity who aided Auschwitz prisoners.
The ceremony was held at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświęcim on March 7.
List of recipients:
6 Officers’ Crosses of the Order of Poland Reborn:
- Roman Bańko, Zofia Domasik, Stefania Drozdowska, Jan Gabryś, Emilia Klimczyk, Wanda Nosal
13 Knights’ Crosses of the Order of Poland Reborn:
- Stanisława Bańko, Kazimierz Stanisław Baraniak, Krystyna Borowczyk, Karolina Chowaniec, Anna Krystyna Dudek, Helena Jaromin, Michał Edward Jedliński, Eugeniusz Jedliński, Stanisław Jedliński, Joanna Komendera, Joanna Korzeniowska, Mieczysław Józef Madej, Antonina Małysiak
