In tribute to the 85th anniversary of the deportation of Poles to Siberia, a moving ceremony at the Divine Mercy Parish in Manchester

An extraordinary commemorative event took place at the Divine Mercy Parish in Manchester, marking the 85th anniversary of the Soviet Union's first deportations of Poles to Siberia. Though the ceremony was filled with reflection and sorrow, it also carried a powerful message of strength, dignity, and the indomitable spirit of the Polish nation.

The Parish Priest opened the gathering, greeting those present with great emotion. He emphasized how important it is to cultivate memory – even when it is painful – and to honor the victims who suffered simply because they were Polish. He recalled the words of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, who said that a nation that forgets its history is doomed to oblivion.

— It was enough to be Polish, to have Polish roots, speak the Polish language, to end up on a deportation list. Many found themselves on “inhuman land” simply for being who they were — the moved priest declared.

Consul expressed deep appreciation for the organizers and all those in attendance. He emphasized how essential it is to preserve the memory of the tragic fate of the Polish deportees. He noted that it is the duty of future generations not only to remember the past but also to pass it on – especially to younger people, so they may better understand what freedom, identity, and responsibility for one’s homeland genuinely mean.

The program featured deeply moving testimonies from survivors and their descendants. One of the most powerful moments was an interview with a Siberian exile who, as a seven-year-old boy, was deported with his family. With remarkable clarity and simplicity, he recalled the terrifying moment when NKVD officers knocked on their door. His childlike perspective on such traumatic events evoked profound respect and reflection from the audience.

The man also spoke about the long journey that followed. He described how his family wandered in search of freedom, often losing contact with each other for years. Despite the passage of decades, the memories remained vivid within him.

— Life... you never know — he said quietly.

The concert portion of the evening was led by Katy Carr, a British singer of Polish descent. She performed patriotic, religious, and interwar-era songs. Her music was interwoven with testimonies from George Marczak and Frank Plezek—survivors and descendants of those who endured life on the “inhuman land.” The audience was also presented with multimedia presentations that conveyed the immense pain and suffering of the Poles deported to Siberia.

Alongside the music and the Siberian exile’s account, there were also heartfelt stories from the descendants of deportees. One such testimony recounted the story of a father who, at the age of 19, was sent to Kolyma — one of the most brutal Soviet labor camps in the far east. Among 25,000 deported Poles, only 584 survived. His father was one of them.

He passionately shared photos, documents, and memories of families torn apart. For many attendees, it was the first time they had heard such deeply personal and tragic histories of their loved ones. The discussion also touched on the later lives of the deportees who, after leaving the USSR, eventually made their way to the United Kingdom, where they rebuilt their lives in a foreign land.

The event also featured the Polish Air Force Memorial presentation in Normandy. Its creator, Aleksander Smaga – a Polish architect born abroad – shared the vision behind the monumental sculpture. The memorial was built to honor Polish pilots who participated in the Allied landings and subsequent battles. It is a powerful tribute to their contribution, especially given that many were denied the opportunity to march in the victory parade after World War II.

At the end of the event, the organizers took the floor to thank Father Karol for hosting the ceremony at the parish, and Katy Carr for preparing such a touching program. The guests were then invited to participate in a Holy Mass, completing an evening of remembrance and reflection.

This event not only recalled one of the most tragic chapters in Polish history but also became a symbolic bridge connecting generations—those who remember and those who are just beginning to learn. It showed that even though Siberia may be far away, its memory endures in songs, stories, and people's hearts.

Editor Maria Anna Furman