69 years ago six thousands of Jews living in Ghetto of Krakow in Podgórze were displaced to a work camp in Płaszów. For many of them this four kilometres distance turn out to be a walk to death. Other 2 thousands of inhabitants of Ghetto were sent to Auschwitz. A thousand of the others were shot in the place of Ghetto Heroes Square, where today the Remembrance March was started, to commemorate those, who went the same way the 13th and 14th March 1944 during the liquidation of Ghetto.
Propably never could we find the definition of Holocaust and define the reasons why did it ever happen – said Tadeusz Jakubowicz, president of Jewish Community of Krakow – but I am happy to see how many people come here every year. Jakubowicz went this way 69 years ago with his mother. In the meeting participated primar Rabbi of Krakow Boaz Pash, Rabbi of Chabad Eliezer Gurari and Member of European Parliament Róża Thun. Ambassador of Israel Zvi Rav-Ner reminded of the importance of fighting against the injustice and anti-Semitism – Some people claim that it never happen. Let’s not forget those who died here and in Płaszów, and those who were trying to help them. Among the people gathered on the Square was also prime Rabbi of Galizia Edgar Gluck, vice governor of the Małopolskie Province Andrzej Harężlak and a representative of young generation, Klaudia Klimek.
I came here as a president of Social Cultural Association of Jews in Poland, department Krakow not only as a representative of our organization but also to show that we young Jews in Krakow, remember and want to continue tradition of March. – says Klimek– We live now in different world, time that makes us easily forget about sad, hard history. But this one day makes us think, makes us stop for one moment and come here to this place and see not only bus station, flower shop or restaurant but as it looked like 69 years ago. Place of terrible pain, enormous fear. – she adds.
During the March, participants from Poland, Israel and United States put flowers under the remainings of the wall of Ghetto which was set by Nazis in 1941. On the area, where before war used to live 3 thousands of people, Ghetto gathered about 17 thousands of Jews. It was strictly forbidden to leave this place or to help its inhabitants anyhow. The ceremony ended with Kaddish, under the monument commemorating victims of Holocaust at the territory of working camp in Płaszów.