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Marek Kuchciński, Speaker of the Sejm, and Norbert Lammert, President of the Bundestag, officially opened an exhibition in Berlin on May 31 Poles and Germans. Stories of Dialogue. The exhibition is on view at Paul-Löbe-Haus until June 17 this year.
– The exhibition is history in pictures: Poland and Germany (...) a story also from the perspective of human history - said the Speaker of the Sejm during the ceremonial opening of the exhibition. In his speech Marshal Kuchciński referred to the common Polish-German history. He also spoke about its painful moments and as he emphasized the memory of World War II for many years crossed out the good moments of common history. - The breakthrough in the mutual dialogue took place thanks to social initiatives and the Polish and German churches - said the Speaker. He also added that memoranda and letters from bishops were a permanent part of the common history. - The Polish-German dialogue would not exist without those initiatives (...) they gave a new beginning to our dialogue - he pointed out. Speaker Kuchciński also spoke about the Solidarity movement. -Solidarity - a symbol for us Poles - a movement of over 10 million people in defence of freedom - said the Speaker. He also stressed that thanks to Solidarity, Poland could regain its freedom and Germany could be reunited.
The Speaker also spoke about the current international situation and as he pointed out the Polish-German dialogue on the future of the European Union is important. - Poles and Germans can bear responsibility for this dialogue. It is important for the dialogue to be a partnership - he pointed out. - We want to live in a free and solidary Europe - he said. He added that the question of the future and shape of Europe remains open. -We see Europe as a Europe of homelands - he emphasized.
Speaker Kuchcinski also pointed out the passing of the war generation. - It is worth remembering the experiences of this generation - he pointed out. - Forgiveness must be coupled with remembrance and truth - the best foundations for cooperation - emphasized Marshal Kuchciński.
The Speaker also thanked President Lammert for organizing and jointly opening the exhibition in the Bundestag. As he emphasized, it was a touching moment for him.
In his speech, President Norbert Lammert referred to difficult moments in mutual history. - 76 years ago, on May 31, 1940, the Nazi occupiers gave the order to destroy the Chopin monument in the Warsaw Łazienki Park (...) it was an act of humiliation for the Poles - he said. He pointed out how complicated and painful the common history was. He also stressed that this accidental date shows how necessary it is to remind about common historical experiences. - This exhibition shows just an outline of 20th century German-Polish history (...) a particularly dramatic time of mistrust, war, expulsion, and exile - said the President. The President also referred to the history of Solidarity and stressed that in front of the Bundestag there was a symbolic piece of the wall of the Gdansk Shipyard reminding of Solidarity's contribution to the liberation of Europe.
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The Speaker of the Sejm Marek Kuchciński was in the capital of Germany at the invitation of the Chairman of the Bundestag Norbert Lammert. During this official visit, he was accompanied by the Chairman of the Polish-German Group Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk and his deputy Marek Krząkała. Prior to the opening of the exhibition, the Speaker of the Sejm had a conversation with the Chairman of the Bundestag on interparliamentary cooperation.
The Polish-German Parliamentary Group has been active in the Sejm of the current term since 10 March 2016. It currently has 56 members, and its chairman is MP Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk.
The agenda of the visit also includes a meeting with Bundesrat President Stanislaw Tillich.
text: Chancellery of the Sejm
photo: Pawel Kula
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The Speaker also spoke about the current international situation and as he pointed out the Polish-German dialogue on the future of the European Union is important. - Poles and Germans can bear responsibility for this dialogue. It is important for the dialogue to be a partnership - he pointed out. - We want to live in a free and solidary Europe - he said. He added that the question of the future and shape of Europe remains open. -We see Europe as a Europe of homelands - he emphasized.
Speaker Kuchcinski also pointed out the passing of the war generation. - It is worth remembering the experiences of this generation - he pointed out. - Forgiveness must be coupled with remembrance and truth - the best foundations for cooperation - emphasized Marshal Kuchciński.
The Speaker also thanked President Lammert for organizing and jointly opening the exhibition in the Bundestag. As he emphasized, it was a touching moment for him.
In his speech, President Norbert Lammert referred to difficult moments in mutual history. - 76 years ago, on May 31, 1940, the Nazi occupiers gave the order to destroy the Chopin monument in the Warsaw Łazienki Park (...) it was an act of humiliation for the Poles - he said. He pointed out how complicated and painful the common history was. He also stressed that this accidental date shows how necessary it is to remind about common historical experiences. - This exhibition shows just an outline of 20th century German-Polish history (...) a particularly dramatic time of mistrust, war, expulsion, and exile - said the President. The President also referred to the history of Solidarity and stressed that in front of the Bundestag there was a symbolic piece of the wall of the Gdansk Shipyard reminding of Solidarity's contribution to the liberation of Europe.
***
The Speaker of the Sejm Marek Kuchciński was in the capital of Germany at the invitation of the Chairman of the Bundestag Norbert Lammert. During this official visit, he was accompanied by the Chairman of the Polish-German Group Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk and his deputy Marek Krząkała. Prior to the opening of the exhibition, the Speaker of the Sejm had a conversation with the Chairman of the Bundestag on interparliamentary cooperation.
The Polish-German Parliamentary Group has been active in the Sejm of the current term since 10 March 2016. It currently has 56 members, and its chairman is MP Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk.
The agenda of the visit also includes a meeting with Bundesrat President Stanislaw Tillich.
text: Chancellery of the Sejm
photo: Pawel Kula
