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The past days in Krzyżowa were a special time for reflection, remembrance, and dialogue.
The three-day celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Reconciliation Mass in Krzyżowa brought together participants from Poland, Germany, and other countries, who collectively celebrated years of dedication to Polish-German reconciliation, cooperation, and building understanding in Europe.
Friday, November 15, 2024
The event began with a conference, where the results of the new Poland-Germany Barometer were presented. Discussions also took place regarding the role of civil society in shaping the future of Polish-German relations. In the evening, participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences and insights during group discussions and a closing forum.
Saturday, November 16, 2024
The central point of Saturday's events was the ecumenical service, celebrated by bishops from the Roman Catholic, Evangelical, and Augsburg Evangelical churches. The liturgy was led by Bishop Ignacy Dec and Bishop Waldemar Pytel, who reminded everyone that the peace gesture made in 1989 by Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki and Chancellor Helmut Kohl was a symbol of forgiveness and building bridges over historical divides.
During the events, speeches were presented by Polish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Henryka Mościcka-Dendys and German Minister of Housing Klara Geywitz. Minister Mościcka-Dendys emphasized that the Reconciliation Mass became a cornerstone in Polish-German relations, and today Krzyżowa symbolizes dialogue and cooperation, not only for Europe but for the world. Minister Geywitz highlighted that while not all doors in Polish-German relations have yet been opened, a solid foundation of trust has been built, as reflected in cross-border cooperation.
Further discussions took place on cooperation between governments, local authorities, and civil society, with a summary prepared by Prof. Krzysztof Ruchniewicz and Dr. Michael Groß. The evening concluded with a formal banquet, offering a chance to celebrate and integrate.
Sunday, November 17, 2024
The third day of the celebrations focused on the experiences of Polish-German dialogue. A meeting with witnesses of history reminded participants of the challenges and successes in the pursuit of reconciliation. A key moment was the signing of a letter of intent for cooperation between local authorities from Poland and Belgium in the field of education about history. The celebrations ended with a discussion on education regarding Polish-German relations, led by experts and practitioners.
Acknowledgments
The anniversary celebrations were not only an opportunity to celebrate but also an inspiration for further work towards dialogue and intercultural cooperation. We thank all the participants, partners, and guests for their presence and engagement.
“Each generation must take up the effort for cooperation and mutual understanding anew. Open doors, tear down walls, build bridges,” said Bartłomiej Strózik, Mayor of Świdnica, during the ceremony. His words beautifully summarize the anniversary and serve as a call to continue this extraordinary mission.
Let Krzyżowa remain a symbol of dialogue, a meeting place, and a space that unites people across divides. Together, we can ensure that the future of Europe is based on values that, here in Krzyżowa, are a living testament to our shared history and courage.
