Although the Sybir Memorial Museum is not typically associated with toys, we have an extraordinary exhibit in our collection that traveled a long way in the arms of a little girl, becoming her companion in difficult times. We talk about the teddy bear that is displayed at our permanent exhibition, and which brought two deported girls together – Renia Jackowska and Basia Świderska. The story of Basia and Renia is a touching story of childhood in exile, mutual support, and preserving the memory of deportations.
The teddy bear reached Siberia being cuddled by Renia Jackowska, who was deported with her mother from the vicinity of Lviv to the Irkutsk region. The teddy bear helped the girl endure deportation, her stay, and evacuation from the Soviet Union with Anders’ Army.
After the evacuation, the fate of the Jackowski family was linked with the fate of the Świderski family. Both families lived in the same house in Ain-Karem (a part of Jerusalem). The teddy bear quickly became also Basia Świderska’s favourite toy. When the Jackowski family received permission to move to England in 1946, Renia gave it to Basia as a keepsake. Decades later, the teddy bear was donated to the Sybir Memorial Museum by Barbara’s sister, Hanna Świderska. Besides the teddy bear, the family also gave us many other valuable mementos, including a Kurpie kilim (a flat tapestry-woven carpet or rug) and a folder.
Even though Barbara Świderska does not live in Poland, we managed to meet her in person at the Sybir Memorial Museum. It was a very emotional visit, during which Mrs. Barbara could see her former little companion with her own eyes. This full of emotion meeting touched not only the Świderski family, but also the museum staff who accompanied them during the tour.
After visiting the permanent exhibition of the Sybir Memorial Museum, the family met with Professor Wojciech Śleszyński, Director of the Sybir Memorial Museum. The visit was also an opportunity to record Barbara Świderska’s testimonies.
“I loved that teddy bear very, very much. When the Jackowski family got permission to move on, my parents persuaded Renia to give it to me. […] Before that, I used to visit the Jackowski family all the time to see the teddy bear. It was actually my only toy. The teddy bear was my saviour for several years of my childhood when I began to understand the conversations of adults, Sybiraks, which gave me nightmares. As long as I had the teddy bear with me, I could fall sleep peacefully. The teddy bear saved me,” Mrs. Barbara told us.
The teddy bear displayed at the permanent exhibition has already moved many of our visitors. Basia’s former companion constantly arises interest of children who take part in educational activities organized by the Sybir Memorial Museum.
The teddy bear is also one of the proofs that personal items and stories behind them play a significant role in preserving the memory of deportations. Thanks to them, future generations can learn about events from years past, discover their family story, and go on an extraordinary journey in search for their roots.
A big thank you for this gift of the heart.
Let us create this place together and share stories that must not be forgotten.
