Each year on April 13, we observe the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Katyn Massacre—a solemn occasion to honor thousands of Polish officers and members of the intelligentsia who were murdered in 1940 by the NKVD in the Katyn Massacre. It remains a powerful symbol of loss, as well as of the enduring pursuit of truth and historical justice.
On this occasion, we had the distinct honor of welcoming representatives of the Pilecki Institute in New York (Pilecki Institute NYC) to our Senior Center on April 10:
▪️ Monika Zieborak-Kozłowska – Administrative Director
▪️ Monika Szczebel – Senior Office Manager
▪️ Aleksandra Słabisz – Department of Communications and Marketing
During their visit, our seniors received symbolic Katyn commemorative pins—replicas of military uniform buttons—serving as a tribute to the victims and a meaningful expression of remembrance.
The gathering formed part of the social and educational campaign “Remember. Katyn 1940,” whose emblem—a button inspired by the poem “Buttons” by Zbigniew Herbert—stands as a silent witness to history and a powerful gesture against the distortion of truth.
The campaign extended throughout New York City, with pins distributed in Greenpoint, Manhattan, and at our Krakus Senior Center PSC, operating under The Polish & Slavic Center (PSC), as well as at the Institute’s headquarters on Greenwich Street. Each button represents an individual life—a story abruptly ended, yet never forgotten.
As part of the commemorative program, a screening of the film “Katyn,” directed by Andrzej Wajda, was also held, offering a poignant reflection on the tragedy endured by the victims and their families.
In the spring of 1940, nearly 22,000 Polish citizens—including military officers, police officers, doctors, educators, and members of the intellectual elite—were systematically executed by Soviet authorities. For decades, the truth of this crime was suppressed and deliberately falsified.
Their memory endures within us—and it is our shared responsibility to ensure it is carried forward for future generations.
We extend our sincere gratitude for this meaningful visit and for the opportunity to honor and preserve historical memory together.
