A Message 81 Years in the Making

On August 1st, Warsaw, Poland held a ceremony at Freedom Park near the Warsaw Uprising Museum to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. Four surviving veterans who actually participated in the uprising attended the event and engaged in direct conversations with the younger generation.

Danuta Dworakowska (code name 'Lena') shared this message with attendees: "My message to the young generation is this: Above all, learn, learn, and learn again. And do not be afraid to stand against evil. Whether with kind words or strong words, you must fight evil. Good must prevail."

Witnesses to History

In addition to Dworakowska, surviving veterans including Jerzy Wakomski (code name 'Kajtek') and Jerzy Zabacski (code name 'Mały') attended the event. Tadeusz Obczarski (code name 'Igrek') testified about the marching song of the 2nd Assault Battalion 'Odwet,' and museum staff reconstructed the melody and lyrics of the march based on his memories.

The restored marching song was performed together by the Warsaw St. John Paul II Choir and event participants. The event was hosted by the Warsaw Uprising Museum, with the PZU Foundation participating as a partner.

Why We Continue to Remember

Grzegorz Cydejko, Communications Director of PZU, emphasized that "the memory of the Warsaw Uprising holds even deeper meaning. Freedom is not eternal once granted."

PZU, Poland's largest financial group, supports the Warsaw Uprising commemoration annually, passing down the core values of memory, courage, and solidarity to the next generation. The company stated, "We hope this anniversary becomes a living lesson for children, youth, and all who believe that the power of community comes from memory."

Historical Significance of the Warsaw Uprising

The Warsaw Uprising, which began on August 1, 1944, was an armed rebellion by the Polish resistance against Nazi German occupation forces during World War II. Warsaw citizens fought for 63 days but were ultimately suppressed, and the city was reduced to ruins.

This 81st anniversary event also featured a special exhibition, "The Best Warriors: Silent Paratroopers and GROM." According to exhibition curator Katarzyna Utracka, the exhibition highlights the history of the legendary paratroopers of the Polish Home Army (AK). Of these, 95 participated in the Warsaw Uprising, and today Poland's special forces GROM continues their tradition.

GROM unit celebrated its 35th anniversary of establishment this year, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of inheriting the spirit of these elite paratroopers. The unit's emblem bears the motto of those paratroopers: "For the Fatherland (Tobie Ojczyzno)."

Transmission of Memory Across Generations

At the family picnic "Sharing Memories - Meeting of Generations" held at Freedom Park, veterans and citizens engaged in direct conversations, creating a venue for living history education.

Museum officials introduced various projects including 81st anniversary publications, exhibitions, and competitions. Historian and exhibition curator Utracka, Iconographic Department Director Joanna Jastrzembska-Woźniak, and Education Department's Michał Komuda each explained their respective projects.

Commemoration events took place simultaneously throughout Warsaw, with the entire city taking time to remember its history. Even 81 years later, the testimonies of surviving veterans vividly convey how precious freedom is and how difficult it is to preserve.