I have received this pertinent article off the web from Wladyslaw Czapski,
and have attempted a translation of the salient facts. My Aunt died and was
buried in Teheran on the day after her 18th birthday. It is possible that
many of us have family members buried in these cemeteries.
Wes Adamczyk has told me about an excursion being organised from London to
Iran to attend the 50th anniversary ceremonies of the "Great Escape" next
April. Current events make a trip to south-central Asia problematic, but I
can pass on details to anybody interested.
Here is the article (with gratitude to my Saturday Polish school language
skills and apologies in advance for any flaws in the translation).
TRANSLATION:
Andrzej Przewoznik: Experts going to Iran next month.
Polish Radio reports that Polish experts are going to Iran next month to
agree plans with local authorities for remembrance ceremonies for the exiled
Polish civilians and military personnel buried there. In 1942, the Poles
left the then Soviet Union with General Anders' army and managed to reach
Iran. Many died from exhaustion after their sojourn in the forced labour
camps. Secretary of the "Council to Protect the Memory of Struggle and
Suffering", Andrzej Przewoznik, said that state ceremonies commemorating the
exiles will take place in Iran next year. He added that the Council decided
to restore all the cemeteries in this country where Poles are buried.
Andrzej Przewoznik said that scores of other cemeteries will be restored in
other countries that the civilian population and the army of General Anders
reached from the Soviet Union. Beyond Iran, restorations are underway in
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and India as well as in Africa. [Saturday, 8
September 2001].
ORIGINAL:
Andrzej Przewoz?nik: za miesia?c eksperci jada? do Iranu
Za miesia?c do Iranu wyjada? polscy eksperci, aby uzgodnic? z tamtejszymi
w?adzami plan uroczystos?ci, które maja? upamie?tnic? pochowanych tam
polskich uchodz?ców cywilnych i wojskowych -- poinformowa?o Polskie Radio. W
1942 roku wyszli oni z ówczesnego Zwia?zku Radzieckiego i wraz z armia?
genera?a Andersa dotarli do Iranu. Wielu zmar?o z powodu wycien?czenia po
pobycie w ?agrach. Sekretarz Rady Ochrony Pamie?ci Walki i Me?czen?stwa
Andrzej Przewoz?nik powiedzia?, z?e uroczystos?ci pan?stwowe
upamie?tniaja?ce uchodz?ców odbe?da? sie? w Iranie w przysz?ym roku. Doda?,
z?e Rada zdecydowa?a o uporza?dkowaniu wszystkich cmentarzy w tym kraju,
gdzie pochowani sa? Polacy. Andrzej Przewoz?nik powiedzia?, z?e
uporza?dkowanych zostanie tez? kilkadziesia?t innych cmentarzy na terenach
róz?nych pan?stw, gdzie ze Zwia?zku Radzieckiego dotar?a ludnos?c? cywilna i
armia genera?a Andersa. Oprócz Iranu, prace renowacyjne trwaja? w
Kazachstanie, Uzbekistanie, w Indiach oraz w Afryce. [ sobota, 8
wrzes?nia 2001 ]
--
Stefan Wisniowski
Australia
