Healing & Reconciliation as a Prerequisite in Violence Prevention

 “What is true reconciliation? The difficult history of Polish-Russian relations” -study tour, bridge of peace

 Warsaw – Krakow, Poland September 6-12, 2013

Historical backgroundDifficult historical relations

between Poland nad Russia/ Soviet Union:◦„Russian-Polish wars”◦Partitions of Poland◦WWII, Ribentrop-Molotov pact◦Katyn massacre◦„Soviet” times

Still not everything is resolved…….

Study tour programAim: letting Russian guests get first-hand knowledge of various historical events involving Russia or the Soviet Union◦ the Warsaw Uprising Museum,◦Educational Center of the National

Remembrance Institute◦ “House for Meetings with History”◦sightseeing tour “Historical Polish-Russian sites

in Warsaw” and a historical tour round Krakov◦“Katyn” movie by Andrzej Wajda, documentary

“I saw the executioner” by Natasha Lo◦a meeting “Close and faraway cultures: Russia,

its spirituality, customs, traditions etc.

Russian spirituality meeting

Bridge of Peace

“House for Meetings with History”

Meeting with Katyn Family Federation representative

Conference at the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights

Saying sorry…

Saying sorry…

„What are your primary impressions after the study tour?” – evaluation forms„Heaviness and feeling guilty in

front of Polish people. And relief because we could repent sincerely”.

„Deep feelings caused by the fact that we became aware of certain incidences from Polish history only now. This is the fault of the Iron Curtain”.

„The desire to know the truth about each other. The friendliness of Polish people”.

„Meetings with incredible people and the desire to become friends with them. It seemed as if there were no borders between us, that borders have been invented artificially”.

„Topics related to a negative history of our countries should be substituted by positive examples of contemporary relations, i.e. mutual cultural and economic enterprises, various interactions, meetings with participation of young people, etc…”.

„What are your primary impressions after the study tour?” – evaluation forms

„People’s diplomacy is a great force. Similar meetings should definitely be continued. The light will conquer the darkness of hatred and mistrust”.

„Everything is so confused in today’s world. Our goal is to help change the world through repentance, forgiveness, true love, faith and to bring harmony and love to the world”.

„What are your primary impressions after the study tour?” – evaluation forms