– The time has come to forgive each other, as is the case between neighbours – this is how Wanda Traczyk-Stawska, a participant in the Warsaw Uprising, spoke about Polish-German relations on the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising, appealing for reconciliation between the countries. She also addressed the civilian residents of the capital, calling them heroes. – Thank you for persevering despite hunger and terrible suffering – she said.
Thursday’s ceremonies at the “Fallen – Undefeated” monument at the Warsaw Insurgents’ Cemetery began with a speech by Wanda Traczyk-Stawska. This necropolis contains the remains of thousands of civilian residents of Wola, murdered in the first days of the Warsaw Uprising.
Traczyk-Stawska was a soldier of the Grey Ranks and the Home Army during the war, and is currently the chairwoman of the Social Committee for the Warsaw Insurgents Cemetery.
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– With great emotion and gratitude I thank the city, but most of all the residents, that I am no longer alone here, because here lie those without whom the uprising could not have lasted 63 days. They supported us and were very brave. You, the people of Warsaw, were and are the heroes. We were only your army – she said.
Wanda Traczyk-Stawska during the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw UprisingPAP/Albert Zawada
An appeal for Polish-German reconciliation
– Thank you for persevering despite hunger and terrible suffering. It was terrible hardship, especially for the children who had to sit in the basements, although childhood is inscribed with the desire to run and play – she added. She also referred to the motives of the Warsaw insurgents. – The uprising began because we wanted to welcome the Russians as a free city and show them that they can only enter here as guests – she said.
She remembered the most beautiful moment of the uprising as the one when she was able to sing the Polish national anthem with others.
– I’m glad you’re here with us, because we have to leave now – she said to the young people.
Finally, she appealed for Polish-German reconciliation, which she believed was particularly necessary in the face of the threat from Russia.
– I think the time has come to forgive each other, as is the case between neighbors. Let’s be good neighbors. Together we have the power to stop Russia – said Traczyk-Stawska.
Wanda Traczyk-Stawska delivered a speech upon receiving the Order of the SmileTVN24
photo-source">Source of the main photo: PAP/Albert Zawada
