The main celebrations were attended by the representatives of the city authorities, led by the Mayor of the city of Białystok, Tadeusz Truskolaski. The Deputy Speaker of the Senate, Maciej Żywno, was also present. Among the representatives from parliament were Barbara Okuła, Krzysztof Truskolaski, and Alicja Łepkowska-Gołaś. The celebrations were also attended by Jacek Brzozowski, the Voivode of Podlasie and Łukasz Prokorym, Podlaskie Voivodeship Marshal.

There were also representatives of Sybiraks communities, led by Jolanta Hryniewicka, the President of the Białystok Branch of the Association of Siberian Deportees. Descendants of Sybiraks, including the members of the Community of the Grandchildren of the Sybiraks, were also present.

During the ceremony, Tadeusz Truskolaski spoke about how Soviet repression had affected everyone, regardless of age or gender:

“The Soviet occupation was marked by particular cruelty. I will remind you of the four major deportations during which hundreds of thousands of Poles – men, women, children, the youngest and the eldest – were deported to Siberia and Kazakhstan. Everyone who, in the opinion of the perpetrators, might be an obstacle to establishing a new order was deported. Let us also recall the victims of the Katyn crime. Then it will become clear that the Soviets’ goal was to destroy Polishness of these lands and the Polish elite. We are in the museum, which is dedicated to the memory of all the victims of Siberia. I am proud that it was possible to open it in Białystok,” he emphasized.

In her speech, Jolanta Hryniewicka reminded:

“The memory of Sybiraks allows us to see the price paid for freedom, which is the common good that requires constant care. The memory of them also means cherishing the values with which they lived, died, or returned to their longed Poland.”

Following the speeches, the appeal of Remembrance took place, and flowers were laid at the monument of the Sybirak Mother.

However, the main celebrations do not mean the end of the celebration of the World Day of the Siberians. Today, at 3:00 p.m., there will be a special guided tour dedicated to Seweryn Nowakowski, who served as the Mayor of the city of Białystok in 1934-1939.

In turn, from 9:00 p.m. on the facade of the Museum from the street Poleska you will be able to see a special mapping.