Witnesses to History – Our Community

Sybiraks are the heart of the Sybir Memorial Museum. Thanks to their memories, the personal items they bring to the Museum, and the trust they place in us, we are able to tell the stories of people who experienced deportation, forced exile and the daily struggle for survival in extremely difficult conditions. For many years, the Sybir Memorial Museum has been building close relationships with them – Sybiraks are not only witnesses to the events we present, but also co-creators of our narrative.

An important part of our work consists of events prepared especially for Sybiraks. The annual New Year’s gathering, celebrations of Women’s Day and Mother’s Day, as well as Sybirak remembrance gatherings, provide opportunities to share important moments, talk together and build bonds between generations. We also commemorate together the most important anniversaries connected with the history of deportations and Soviet repression.

A symbol of our remembrance is the annual “Package for a Sybirak” initiative. The festive gifts prepared with the support of donors and volunteers are much more than a gesture of assistance – they are an expression of gratitude for the trust that Sybiraks have placed in us for many years.

Sybiraks have worked with us on the creation of temporary exhibitions, sharing their personal experiences and reflections. Their testimonies have become an important part of exhibitions such as Only Pain Is Mine and Boundlessness in Sybir – projects that have brought together the personal stories of Sybiraks and contemporary art in an innovative way.

One form of meeting with witnesses to history are guided tours of the permanent exhibition, during which Sybiraks take on the role of guides and share their own memories. Organised, among other occasions, around the anniversary of 17 September and World Sybirak Day, these tours allow visitors to see the history of deportations from the perspective of those who personally experienced them.

At the Sybir Memorial Museum, the past meets the present. We cooperate with the Association of Sybiraks, the Community of Sybirak Descendants and the Podlaskie Association for the Remembrance of Sybir Exiles. Together, we preserve memory and ensure that the testimonies of those who experienced exile remain alive.