1. 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

2. Historical background
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Difficult historical relations between
Poland nad Russia/ Soviet Union:
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„Russian-Polish wars”
Partitions of Poland
WWII, Ribentrop-Molotov pact
Katyn massacre
„Soviet” times
Still not everything is resolved…….

3. Study tour program
Aim: 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.

4. Russian spirituality meeting

5. Bridge of Peace

6. “House for Meetings with History”

7. Meeting with Katyn Family
Federation representative

8. Conference at the Helsinki
Foundation for Human Rights

9. Saying sorry…

10. Saying sorry…

11. „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”.
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12. „What are your primary impressions
after the study tour?” – evaluation forms
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„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…”.

13. „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”.
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