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We did not forget you, prisoners of Majdanek. We did not become accustomed to the crimes you were victims of. They still terrify us and are a horrifying reminder – with these words the Voivod of the Lublin region Genowefa Tokarska commemorated the former prisoners of KL Lublin during the celebrations held to mark the 67th anniversary of the Majdanek camp liquidation. They took place at the foot of the Gate Monument on July 22.

The ceremony started with a speech held by the Director of the State Museum at Majdanek Tomasz Kranz who introduced the participants to the events of the last months of the camp existence. Then Genowefa Tokarska expressed hope that tragic fate of Majdanek will be a lesson for the posterity. A representative of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Jan Łazicki wrote a letter of the Secretary of State Piotr Żuchowski directed towards the gathered.The participants were overcome by emotion when the letter of Danuta Brzosko-Mędryk (PDF), a former inmate, was read out. The ceremony ended with a common prayer conducted by the Reverend Władysław Kowalik, detained at Majdanek as a child, and lying wreaths. Following the official part, the participants went to Field III where “Majdanek Prisoners” exhibition was opened. This year’s celebrations were participated by former prisoners, including Jan van Kuik – a Dutchman whose biography can be read on one of the exhibition plaques, and their families. Our guests were also representatives of the city and regional authorities, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage,the diplomatic corps and veterans’ organizations.