In December, we reported that the Society of Friends of Lviv and the Southeastern Borderlands, together with Bolesławiec schools and Zagłębie Lubin supporters, had prepared Christmas packages for Polish families in the Eastern Borderlands.
“This was not my first trip to the Eastern Borderlands, but this time we organized it ourselves,” says Barbara Smoleńska. Six people traveled to Ukraine by minibus, including members of the Society and the head of the Bolesławiec Zagłębie Lubin supporters’ club. The composition was not accidental, as nearly all the participants have roots in the Eastern Borderlands.
The minibus itself was full, as they had managed to prepare as many as 250 Christmas packages. “I was even a little afraid there might be a problem crossing the border,” admits Barbara. Fortunately, things turned out differently, and the residents of Bolesławiec entered Ukraine without any problems.
There were so many packages that they were distributed to Polish families not only in Zbarazh and Drohobych—as initially planned—but also in Novyi Rozdil.
“In every place we visited, people were already waiting for us,” recalls the president of the Society of Friends of Lviv and the Southeastern Borderlands. “In Novyi Rozdil, students performed a beautiful Nativity play, while in Zbarazh they sang Polish Christmas carols.
The residents of Bolesławiec also visited Drohobych, Maksymivka and Romanove Selo. They received a very warm welcome everywhere. “Both younger and older people told us: ‘Life is very difficult for us in Ukraine; every gift you bring provides us with significant financial support, but we are even happier that you do not forget about us, that you stand with us spiritually. This gives us strength to endure these difficult times,’” says Barbara.
It is worth adding that both the mayor of Bolesławiec and Bolesławiec County authorities want to establish cooperation with Zbarazh.
“These trips are not only about great gratitude and material assistance,” emphasizes Barbara Smoleńska. “They are also an opportunity to show the people of Ukraine our shared history—and to help them better understand their own.
We will return to this subject.