42ND SESSION
OF THE INTERNATIONAL AUSCHWITZ COUNCIL
Auschwitz Memorial
The session was attended, among others, by Deputy Minister of Culture and National Heritage of Poland Marek Krawczyk, who read a letter addressed to the Council members from Minister Marta Cienkowska.
“After more than half a century, we are beginning the transformation of the Main Exhibition at the Auschwitz Memorial. This is an event of immense significance, not only for history, but also for our contemporary sensitivity and sense of responsibility. […] The new exhibition, financed entirely by the Polish state, is an expression of our country’s and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage’s responsibility to ensure stable conditions for creating this exceptional exhibition in a place of global importance,” wrote Minister Marta Cienkowska.
“I want to stress unambiguously: Auschwitz must not become an arena for political dispute, neither in Poland nor anywhere else. This is a Memorial whose protection and dignity are paramount. We expect all states, communities, and media to respect this principle,” the letter states.
“The daily work of the staff of the Auschwitz Memorial is not merely a profession. It is a mission. It requires exceptional knowledge, professionalism, as well as ethical and moral maturity. I express my deep gratitude to all Museum employees for their efforts, thanks to which the truth of Auschwitz is passed on to future generations faithfully, respectfully, and with dignity,” wrote the Minister.
During the session of the International Auschwitz Council, Deputy Minister Marek Krawczyk awarded the Chairman of the Council, Prof. Dariusz Stola, the Silver Medal “Gloria Artis for Merit to Culture.”
He also presented Dr. Piotr M. A. Cywiński, Director of the Auschwitz Museum, with his nomination for another term in office. He will lead the Museum and Memorial through the end of 2030.
Director Cywiński, summarising developments of the last six months, noted that Museum attendance is gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels, and this year will reach around two million visitors.
Among the many events of recent months, he referred not only to major anniversaries, the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the 85th anniversary of the deportation of the first Poles to KL Auschwitz, and the 81st anniversary of the liquidation of the Roma and Sinti family camp, but also to the international educational conference “Remember. Is Memory Enough in the 21st Century?”
“This is a methodological conference we hold every two years for those responsible for organising education in various countries, museums, and memorial sites. Increasingly, these meetings are filled with cultural and civilizational questions. These reflections reveal profound concerns. We no longer live in a post-war era, and that shapes the work of memory,” said Director Cywiński.
On 18 and 19 November, the 42nd Session of the International Auschwitz Council, chaired by Prof. Dariusz Stola, was held at the Auschwitz Memorial. Council members were able to visit the nearly completed first of three parts of the New Main Exhibition, which will soon be made available to Museum visitors.
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