Geert Bourgeois: “Romantic spark struck between Maczek soldiers and Flemish girls…”

Geert Bourgeois, President-Minister of Flanders speech at the opening of the Armoured Wings / Pancerne skrzydła ehxibition dedicated to the Liberating Route of the 1st Armoured Division of General Maczek in Warsaw on 4th June 2018:

“(…) In some Flemish municipalities, the troops of General Maczek were the first allies whom they saw. And they were very enthusiastically received. Sometimes a romantic spark struck. A number of Flemish girls married a Polish soldier…” Continue reading “Geert Bourgeois: “Romantic spark struck between Maczek soldiers and Flemish girls…””

Opening of the “Armoured Wings” exhibition

On the 4th June 2018   an exhibition Armoured Wings / Pancerne skrzydła was opened. Its prime movers and producers are: Dirk Verbeke, President of the 1st Armoured Division Association in Belgium, Yves Wantens, General Representative of the Government of Flanders in Poland and Ryszard Mozgoł from the Katowice Department of the Institute of National Remembrance. The perfectly designed Catalogue helps in getting to know the unique exhibits, collected thanks to cooperation with Polish and Flemish institutions and collectors. 

Occasional speeches were delivered by: Geert Bourgeois, Minister-President of the Government of Flanders, Piotr Gliński, Minister of Culture and National Heritage and Jarosław Szarek, President of the Institute of National Remembrance. Continue reading “Opening of the “Armoured Wings” exhibition”

Great Polish Map of Scotland, Eddleston

On the 12th of April 2018 at the Mercure Barony Castle Hotel in Eddleston (Scotland) took place a new (after renovation) unveiling of the Great Polish Map of Scotland, whose originator years ago was Jan Tomasik, ex-soldier of general Maczek. Tomasik in 1968 bought Barony Castle, and already in 1975 cartographer Kazimierz Trafas began his works over this magnificent map. Preparations and construction of the Great Polish Map of Scotland were bacznie observed by General Maczek, who after the war was employed in this hotel. 

In the celebration of unveiling of the Map of Gen. Maczek participated sisters Malina and Maria Samborska, as delegates of the Memorial Foundation Supporting Culture and Art of President Ryszard Kaczorowski, which realizes the program Liberation Route of the 1st Armoured Division of gen. Maczek. Continue reading “Great Polish Map of Scotland, Eddleston”