On Thursday, November 7th, the International Scientific Conference “Poles in Belarus. Past – Present – Future. Materials and Conclusions for Polish foreign policy with regard to Poles Abroad” began its three-day program. The event is organized by the Centre for East European Studies University of Warsaw, with support from the Department of Cooperation with the Polish Community and Poles Abroad Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, the Union of Poles in Belarus, and the Sybir Memorial Museum.
The conference features numerous guests from Poland and abroad, representing institutions such as the University of Warsaw, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, the University of Wrocław, the project “Free Belarusian University”, the Association of Poles in Belarus, the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Institute of National Remembrance. Thanks to the participation of so many scientists from prestigious universities and institutions, the conference became an important event that allowed for a broad exchange of ideas and experiences.
During the ceremonial opening, speeches were delivered by Jarosław Książek, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Grodno; Professor Jan Malicki, Director of the Centre for East European Studies of the University of Warsaw; Anna Sochańska, Director of the Department of Cooperation with the Polish Community and Poles Abroad Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and Professor Wojciech Śleszyński, Director of the Sybir Memorial Museum.
All the speakers emphasized the importance of bringing together such a large and noble group of scientists to discuss and exchange of views, resulting in numerous publications based on the lectures presented during the event.
Professor Wojciech Śleszyński, Director of the Sybir Memorial Museum welcomed the guests, highlighting his personal connection to the topic of Belarus, wishing everyone successful deliberations, and inviting them to visit the permanent exhibition of the Sybir Memorial Museum.
The conference began with an expert debate on the future of the Polish minority in Belarus. The discussion was moderated by Professor Jan Malicki and featured many prominent participants.
After the expert debate, the first conference panel entitled: The policy of the Russian authorities towards Polish political, military, socio-cultural and charitable organizations in 1864-1918, moderated by Piotr Cichoracki, PhD from the University of Wrocław, took place. The panel consisted of a series of lectures on Polish roots on the Belarusian lands at the turn of the 19th the 20th century.
A total of seven panels are planned, covering topics related to the situation of Polish organizations and institutions in the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1921 to 2024. Between the panels, discussions are held with active participation from conference attendees.
On Friday, during the dead time between the scientific panels, event guests had the opportunity to take part in the permanent exhibition preview.
