Polish history institute disappointed with German WWII ceremony

Polish issues were missing at German ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II, PAP was told by Hanna Radziejowska, head of the Pilecki Institute in Berlin, a Polish government history facility.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the ceremonies will be much more modest and will be held mainly on the internet. Berlin authorities have prepared a virtual exhibition, statements of witnesses to history, a series of podcasts and an enhanced reality app.

"The Polish experience of occupation, the memory of Polish victims of war crimes are still given little presence in the German memory of history and the educational sphere," Radziejowska said.

Radziejowska observed that Poland and Polish victims had not been mentioned at a press conference presenting the anniversary website and that there were no Polish witnesses to history in the audiovisual materials.

She said that in this context the activity of her institute was of crucial importance for preserving the Polish perspective in the memory of WWII.