Thank you for the invitation to the Antonina and Jan Żabiński Award Ceremony. Being unable to attend, I extend my greetings to all the participants of this important event.

            The ceremony at the Warsaw Zoo, where Mr. and Mrs. Antonina and Jan Żabiński rescued over three hundred Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto, is a tribute to all those who, in such a difficult time for Poles and Jews, proved that regardless of circumstances and adversities, it is always worth being human.

            It is our duty not only to remember them, the heroes of the Holocaust, but also to remember the message that comes from their extraordinary attitude. Every human being, by virtue of his or her essence, is a value and this cannot be questioned. In such special moments, we realize with particular force that dignity and humanity, openness and tolerance, justice and peace should be the foundation of our existence.

            This is a lesson from history, but also from today's ceremony. The awards are given to people who, in the face of totalitarianism and genocide, had the courage to defend human dignity, to help the victims, or to stand up for the truth. Their example deserves a special place in our national consciousness, while being an extremely important point of reference for us.

            From the bottom of my heart, therefore, I thank all those who, motivated by Christian love of their neighbor, risked their own lives to help their Jewish fellow citizens. I also thank the From the Depths Foundation, which contributes to the commemoration of these extraordinary heroic deeds.

            Convinced that for the participants of the ceremony will be a source of unforgettable experiences and emotions, once again, I cordially greet all of you and join the expressions of respect.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                             Marek Kuchciński