The film by Przemysław Kania “Aby Być”, whose Bolesławiec premiere took place in February at Orzeł CIK, can be watched in full on YouTube.
The film’s protagonist, Siberian exile Maria Niemczuk, said during its February premiere: “Our cooperation began when Gimnazjum No. 2 [którego Przemek jest absolwentem – przyp. „ii”] began bearing our name—Poles Deported to Siberia. We Siberian exiles often visited the school; we saw young people who were so engaged and deeply moved by our fate.
She added: “When I spoke in the film about our family, I meant all the families that experienced the same tragedy, the same history—sad, painful, but true. The Russians were kind, especially the women, who became friends with us. But not the authorities. When I praise the Russians, I do not mean representatives of the Kremlin led by Stalin.
We also remind you about tomorrow’s march, which will commemorate the Poles deported to Siberia.