The plane with the remains of the presidents of the Polish Republic in Exile including Władysław Raczkiewicz, August Zaleski and Stanisław Ostrowski, landed on the runway of Warsaw’s military airport at 1pm on Saturday. As Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stressed, those presidents “held the insignia of the Republic of Poland during the dark times of communist rule”.

“Together with other activists in exile, they were the custodians of memory, the continuity of the Polish state, and the guardians of hope. Thanks to their perseverance the Polish nation endured decades of communist captivity and survived until 1989, when the dawn of freedom arrived”, said the head of government.

“Today, after a long journey, our presidents-in-exile, the presidents of the Republic, Władysław Raczkiewicz, August Zaleski and Stanisław Ostrowski, are returning to Poland, where they belong. They are returning and will rest here in peace, forever. At the same time, they will forever be witnesses to truth, continuity and the dream of a great Republic. Honour their memory! – concluded the Prime Minister.

After the funeral ceremonies, the Chamber of Remembrance was opened for visitors, presenting the achievements of the continuators of the Second Republic in Exile. The exhibition was prepared by the Institute of National Remembrance. In the showcases presenting the biographies of the Presidents in Exile, visitors will be able to see original photographs and documents from the period when they served as Head of State, as well as from their earlier activities.

A special place will be given to a copy of the presidential pennant that flew over the Royal Castle from 1926 to 1939, and was evacuated with the Polish authorities in September 1939. A film dedicated to all presidents in exile will be presented on a multimedia screen.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński