Sybirak memories interpreted by outstanding actors? This is a new initiative by the Sybir Memorial Museum. The museum’s first audiobook is based on the memories of Colonel Romuald Lipiński “Biography Written by History”, and is being recorded by Adam Woronowicz, who is an outstanding film and theater actor from the Podlasie region.

“The Sybir Memorial Museum is the newest municipal cultural institution in Białystok, but it’s also one of those that plays an increasingly important role both in the country and in all Europe. We have the ambition to reach deeper because the descendants of Sybiraks are on almost every continent. When we considered new ways in order to reach our audience, we thought about starting to publish audiobooks.

Our first audiobook will be the memories of Colonel Romuald Lipiński. The choice was not accidental – in July, he will be 100 years old and he is one of the last living participants of the Battle of Monte Cassino. The selection of the narrator was not accidental either. Adam Woronowicz – what more can I say – he’s simply one of the best actors in Poland,” said Professor Wojciech Śleszyński, Director of the Sybir Memorial Museum, during the press conference.

“Biography Written by History” is a collection of Colonel Romuald Lipiński’s memories, who is a Sybirak and a soldier of Anders’ Army. Romuald Lipiński began to write his diary in the 1960s, initially intended solely for his family. Many years later it reached the Museum, where it was academically developed and published in two languages. Remarkably, in 2023, at the age of 98, Romuald Lipiński added one final chapter to his life story, dedicated to his emigration to the United States.

“It was a real honour for me to collaborate with the Sybir Memorial Museum in the creation of this audiobook. When the material arrived, the book containing the memories of Colonel Romuald Lipinski, I had the feeling I was reading one of many similar books on this subject. It’s a story that is very characteristic, that is, the road of exile, then getting out of Russia to join the Second Polish Corps, and all the way through Monte Cassino, the whole combat trail, right up to the present day. But what surprises me every time in such stories is the emotional aspect that is contained in these memories. And it is extremely valuable. That’s the most valuable, apart from the dates, the names of the battles – the people who are there and who are mentioned by the author. This is going to be a very interesting audiobook, we don’t have much of such things on the market at the moment, memories and stories from that time are a bit neglected,” said actor Adam Woronowicz.

Adam Woronowicz also shared that when he visited the Sybir Memorial Museum for the first time, he was deeply impressed.

“I’m proud that such a place as the Sybir Memorial Museum was established in Białystok. It’s a truly fantastic place, and I’m glad that this history is passed on,” he emphasized.

The audiobook, based on the memoirs published by the Sybir Memorial Museum, is being recorded at the Radio Białystok recording studio.

“I’m very glad that such initiatives are being created here in Białystok. Together with the Sybir Memorial Museum, we came up with the idea that the voice of this audiobook would be none other than Adam Woronowicz. He is one of the few Polish actors who truly understands history. I’m eagerly awaiting the results,” said Marcin Tomkiel, editor-in-chief of the Polish Radio Białystok.

We will keep you updated on successive stages soon!