Launched nine years ago by the Sybir Memorial Museum, the Memorial Peloton seeks to bring the complex history of Central and Eastern Europe to a broader audience. This region was divided between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union under the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, signed on August 23, 1939. As a result, half of Poland — along with Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Moldova — fell under Soviet occupation. The people of these countries suffered widespread repression.

During the press conference, Mayor of Białystok Tadeusz Truskolaski highlighted the key aspects of this year’s event: “This year marks the 9th edition of the Memorial Peloton, which will be dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre. The event’s timing coincides with the anniversary of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, which effectively resulted in the fourth partition of Poland,” he said.

Memorial Peloton is a bicycle ride through the streets of Białystok. The route — approximately 8 km in length — is designed to accommodate participants of all ages, with a pace and level of difficulty suitable for everyone. Along the way, riders will stop at key sites associated with Soviet repression, where they will hear the stories of individuals affected by these events. One of this year’s stops will be the investigative detention center, where a prop from Andrzej Wajda’s film Katyn will be on display.

The initiative also has an international dimension, with corresponding events scheduled in several European cities: August 21 – Riga, Latvia – walking event, August 22 – Vilnius, Lithuania – cycling event, August 30 – Chișinău, Moldova – walking event (preceded on August 29 by the opening of the exhibition “Sybir – Prison of Nations” at the National Museum of History of Moldova).

Professor Wojciech Śleszyński, Director of the Sybir Memorial Museum, spoke about the global reach of the initiative:

“The Peloton also takes place in Lithuania, Latvia, and Moldova. We continue to await the opportunity to organize a ride through the streets of Kyiv. Unfortunately, that date remains uncertain. The goal of the Peloton is to preserve and pass down this history to future generations — and to share it with people around the world who may have never encountered these stories before,” he summed up.

We warmly invite everyone to take part in this meaningful event. It is not only a valuable way to spend time with family and friends, but also a unique opportunity to engage with history in a reflective and accessible way.

Registration for the 2025 Memory Peloton is closed. Thank you for the great interest.

Confirmation emails will be sent to all registered participants no later than August 18, 2025.

Foreign editions will take place on the following dates:
August 21 – Riga, Latvia – walking event
August 22 – Vilnius, Lithuania – bicycle ride
August 30 – Chișinău, Moldova – walking event