On September 27th, in front of the gate of the Krzyżowa Foundation, Helmuth Caspar von Moltke - son of Helmuth James and Freya von Moltke, owners of the Krzyżowa estate and members of the Kreisau Circle, in the presence of the co-founders of the Foundation, Father Adam Żak SJ and Annemarie Cordes, planted the Oak of Remembrance. It was a symbolic event showing two dimensions of the history of Krzyżowa - the one connected with the Kreisau Circle and the one connected with the creation of the Foundation.
The tree planted by Hemuth Caspar von Moltke replaced the old oak, which had to be removed due to its bad condition. It was on this oak that in August 1946, on the order of the Governor of Świdnica, a list of Germans still living in Krzyżowa was established. They were to leave the village within three days and go, like their compatriots living in this area, to Gracowice, from where they were transported to various occupation zones in Germany.
- This tree had a special meaning. It grew long, it was seen by all the inhabitants who came to the nearby church. We plant a new oak in this symbolic way, because we want to show what the Foundation is - a place that unites people, unites Poles and Germans, unites us in a common reflection on history, but also unites our common work for the future - said Dr. Robert Żurek, Managing Director of the Krzyżowa Foundation during the ceremony.
Helmuth Caspar von Moltke, when planting a young tree, remembered the one that stood here when he was a young boy. Looking at the new oak he emphasized: - I hope that in 80 years' time this oak will grow in this place.
For the Krzyżowa Foundation, 2019 is the year of the 30th anniversary of the Foundation and the 30th anniversary of the Reconciliation Mass. Planting an Oak of Remembrance is part of the calendar of events commemorating these important anniversaries.
We hope that the tree, which will now grow at the gates of the Krzyżowa, will be a symbol of the common memory of the history of this place and the people who created it.
