A conference preceding the official opening of the exhibition '1939-1945: Years that Changed the World' took place in Krzyżowa on 19 April 2024. The exhibition was specifically designed for schoolchildren and teachers and tells the story of the causes, course and long-term consequences of the Second World War. It presents these events in the broadest possible context and from different perspectives. So that it is comprehensible not only to a Polish audience, but also to people from other countries who visit Krzyżowa.
The exhibition consists of two parts. The first presents the origins and course of the Second World War, the differences between occupation policies in the West and East of Europe, and shows what resistance looked like in different European countries - including the activities of the anti-Nazi opposition in Germany. The second part of the exhibition discusses the key issues necessary for understanding history and its consequences. As well as showing the mechanisms of hatred that led to the Holocaust, the different attitudes displayed by people who experienced the war and occupation and the differences in Polish and German memories of the war are discussed. The exhibition also addresses the contemporary consequences of the Second World War - from conflicts in Africa, genocide in the former Yugoslavia, to Russia's criminal attack on Ukraine.
It's hard to believe that this terrible war has been going on for two years already. And it's hard to believe how much we have already become accustomed to it, how much we have gotten used to it. At the beginning, the sea of death, misfortune, suffering, and tears, but also heroism, sacrifice, and solidarity, made a huge impression on us. We were shocked. We rushed into the whirlwind of aid. We protested. Now it has all become a bit indifferent to us. Our zeal to help has cooled a bit. We are tired, preoccupied with other problems.
This is exactly what the aggressors are counting on. They have not become indifferent and they have not tired. They continue to attack. They are convinced that the support and solidarity of the West have reached their limits and that the weakening, bleeding Ukraine will eventually fall prey to them.
On this 731st day of the war, we appeal to ourselves and to you, our Friends, people who are close to the values of Krzyżowa:
Ukraine still needs our help and our solidarity. Let us not allow indifference to prevail in us. We have the right to feel tired, but we do not have the right to give in to this fatigue. The heroic defense of Ukrainian women and men, their commitment to freedom, and their determination to become part of a united Europe, confirm how important our values are – freedom, democracy, the rule of law, the European community. Let us remember that today their defense is taking place in Ukraine. If Ukraine loses, we all lose.
Professor Waldemar Czachur, after nearly two terms of chairing the Foundation Council, has decided to resign from the position of chairman. We warmly thank Professor Czachur for his contribution to the development of our organization so far and look forward to more years of cooperation, this time as a member of the Foundation Council.
On November 18, 2023, a new Presidium of the Foundation Council was elected. Ole Jantschek was elected as the new chairman, and Dorota Nahrebecka-Sobota as the vice-chairwoman.
Get to know them better.
Read more: Conversation with the new Presidium of the Foundation Council
Last Friday, November 24, 2023, the Train to Culture between Berlin and Wroclaw turned into a moving stage, with Krzyzowa in the lead role.
The ride was titled "Breslauer Nachbarn - Neighbors of Wroclaw: Zu Gast im Kulturzug: Kreisau-Krzyzowa the Guest of the Train to Culture."
Krzyzowa was represented on board by a team consisting of: from the Kreisau-Initiative association - deputy managing director Elisabeth Kosek; from the Krzyzowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe - Memorial manager Dominik Kretschmann, vice chairman of the supervisory board Annemarie Franke and volunteer Nikola Witchorek; from the Freya von Moltke Foundation for Krzyzowa - director Anna Quirin; and from the Krzyzowa-Music Festival Deputy General Manager and Representative Paulina Schgmid.
Read more: Guest on the Train to Culture: Kreisau/Crossroads