On June 1 in Berlin, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the first meeting of the "Kreisau Circle", a conference was held, whose main theme was the ability to conduct dialogue in times of threat to democracy - also in relation to the war in Ukraine.
The keynote speeches were given by Helmuth Caspar von Moltke and Minister of State Claudia Roth, Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (Digital). The introductory lecture was presented by Dr. Peter Frey, editor-in-chief of the ZDF.
This was followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Fr Klaus Mertes SJ, which included:
▪️ Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, Member of the European Parliament,
▪️ Esther Dischereit, poet, essayist, author of plays and radio,
▪️ Dr. Peter Frey, editor-in-chief of ZDF,
▪️ Dr. Robert Żurek, Managing Director of the Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe.
Read more: "Können wir Kreisau?". Discussion on the capacity for dialogue in times of threat to democracy -...
In connection with the 100th anniversary of the birth of Prof. Władysław Bartoszewski, the magazine "NOWE ŻYCIE" published an article by Robert Żurek, PhD, entitled " About wise patriotism".
"On the basis of Władysław Bartoszewski's life a feature film could be made which would illustrate the dramatic history of Poland in the 20th century and at the same time keep you in suspense from the first to the last minute. However, we should keep the memory of Bartoszewski alive not only because he deserves it, but also so that we do not forget what wise patriotism is. (...) Let us therefore learn from Władysław Bartoszewski and remember his words: Whoever despises people, no matter for religious reasons, for racial reasons, because of xenophobia towards anyone (...) - above all despises himself. And also about those perhaps best known: It’s worth it to be honest, though it doesn’t always pay off. It pays to be dishonest, but it’s never worth it".
Read more: ||MEDIA| Dr. Robert Żurek "About wise patriotism" - NOWE ŻYCIE" magazine
The Krzyżowa Foundation was the theme of two articles published in the Sächsische Zeitung in recent weeks. The first of them (issue of 2.05.2022) tells about situation of refugees from Ukraine, who found shelter in Krzyżowa and about how the Foundation helps people in need while carrying out its statutory activity.
The second article ( issue of 16.05.) describes the temporary exhibition "Growing up. Western and Northern Lands. The beginning", which is exhibited in Krzyżowa. The theme of the exhibition is the fate of Polish inhabitants who arrived and settled in new territories in the west and north, which had previously been part of Germany. After the end of World War II, the Allies and the Soviet Union decided to shift Poland's borders westwards. Since many of the newcomers came from the eastern territories, which now belong to Ukraine, the exhibition takes on new meaning and context in the neighbourhood of Ukrainian refugees.
Read more: ||MEDIA|| Sächsische Zeitung about the Krzyżowa Foundation
On 24 May, we hosted the Bishop of the Lutheran Church of Northern Germany, Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt and the President of the Synod, Ulrika Hillmann, who visited our Foundation accompanied by Bishop Waldemar Pytel. We are very grateful for this meeting, during which we had the opportunity to present our activities.
An important topic of discussion was also Polish-German relations, as well as the challenges of helping the refugees from Ukraine.
Read more: Visit of representatives of the Lutheran Church of Northern Germany - Krzyżowa, 24.05.2022
