The collection, registered by the Studio Wschód Foundation, the main organizer of the “Save Your Great-Grandfather’s Grave from Oblivion” campaign, aimed to raise funds to transport grave candles to Lithuania and Ukraine, for volunteers’ trip to the Cemetery of the Lwów Eaglets, and for young people’s summer trip to historic Polish cemeteries in Ukraine. The young people raised PLN 3,721.27.
“We thank everyone who donated a symbolic zloty and helped us raise funds to preserve Polish identity in the Borderlands, especially to save neglected Polish cemeteries,” says Barbara Smoleńska, head of the Society of Lovers of Lviv and the Southeastern Borderlands in Bolesławiec and coordinator of the “Save Your Great-Grandfather’s Grave from Oblivion” campaign on behalf of the Henryk Sucharski Comprehensive and Vocational Schools Complex in Bolesławiec. “Since the beginning of October 2017, we have been collecting grave candles in schools and preschools; they will be taken to cemeteries in the Borderlands in Lithuania and Ukraine. The very large number of candles demonstrates the strong commitment of Bolesławiec residents and certainly has an educational and patriotic dimension. Taking part in the campaign brings children and young people—and perhaps adults as well?—closer to the land of their ancestors.
She adds: “Thank you for such a large turnout in the campaign.”