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Tribute to Poles who helped Jews in WWII

24.03.2023 08:30
A variety of events are expected to be held in Poland on Friday to pay tribute to those who helped Jews during World War II.
Plaques on the wall of the Ulma Family Museum, at Markowa in the southeast of Poland, commemorating those who risked their lives to save Jews from the Holocaust during World War II.
Plaques on the wall of the Ulma Family Museum, at Markowa in the southeast of Poland, commemorating those who risked their lives to save Jews from the Holocaust during World War II.Photo: PAP/Darek Delmanowicz

March 24 marks a special memorial day in the country dedicated to Poles who risked their lives to save their Jewish neighbours from the Holocaust.

On March 24, 1944, German military police killed members of the Polish family of Józef and Wiktoria Ulma, who were sheltering Jews in the village of Markowa in the southeast of the country.

Polish President Andrzej Duda was expected to attend a commemorative event in Markowa at midday.

Duda has said that the memorial day aims to pay tribute to Poles who helped Jews during the Holocaust and who "often died while doing so."

Poland's Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) has said in a message for the day that "Poles who saved Jews were, are and should serve as role models and inspiration."

Poland’s Roman Catholic Church announced last month that the Polish Ulma family, who lost their lives for hiding Jews during World War II, would be beatified on September 10.

In the Catholic Church, beatification is one stage short of being declared a saint.

(gs)

Source: IAR