Commemorating the 85th Anniversary of the Deportation of Poles to Siberia
❤️Hello lovely friend,
As February draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable journey we have shared this month. It has been an honour to travel to Manchester and Bradford to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the deportation of Poles to Siberia, a tragic chapter in history that began on 10th February 1940. During World War II, approximately 2 million Poles were forcibly taken by Russia for slave labour in Siberia.
🎥 Katy Carr’s New Video Release – Red Red Rose: 10th Feb 2025
✨✨Watch the video here ✨✨
I released a powerful music video called, Red Red Rose, written by Katy Carr (album Paszport). Inspired by the harrowing experiences of the two million Poles who were forcibly taken from their homes by Russia for slave labour in Siberia during WWII.
The first mass kidnapping of Poles for Stalin and Russia’s slave trade began on 10th February 1940, and this year, 2025, marks the 85th anniversary of their deportation and slavery.
Through this song, we honour their resilience and the enduring spirit of those who suffered and survived. Let Red Red Rose serve as a reminder of their strength and a tribute to their legacy.
Listen to the story of courage and survival – May their memories be a blessing.
A big thank you to Marek Szymczak for his incredible video artwork and animation.#RedRedRose #PolishHistory #85thAnniversary #SiberianDeportation #CulturalHeritageArtwork below by Susan Burghart for Katy Carr’s album sleeve for Paszport
February 2025 Concert Highlights:
Manchester 9th Feb 2025:
Our concert in Manchester was a heartfelt tribute to the resilience and courage of those who endured unimaginable hardships. The presence of Siberian survivors added a profound sense of connection to our shared history. I was deeply moved by the audience’s heartfelt response and the unity that filled the room.
Photo used by kind permission of Wyspa TV.
Special Thanks:
Eva Szegedewicz
Former Director of Kresy Family and Kresy Siberia UK : thank you for initiating this project and concert idea. You are such a lovely humble lady who has been a friend of mine and your expertise in the topic helped so much. Thanks for being my guide and for sharing your history. I was honoured that we could pay tribute to your mother who had been a Polish slave in Russia’s death camps in Siberia. I look forward to hostinbg more events with you. Manchester Polish community are lucky to have such a great friend as Eva hosting events 🙂
Frank Pleszak and George Marszak: Your contributions left a lasting impression on the audience, and we were truly blessed by your presence. Frank Pleszak, author of Two Years in a Gulag: The True Wartime Story of a Polish Peasant Exiled to Siberia, provided an insightful historical context and a poignant recounting of his father’s deportation to Siberia. George Marczak shared personal stories of his family’s experiences in Siberia and the sacrifices they made serving in the Polish military. He shared incredible photos of their involvement with the 1st Polish Armoured Division and the Polish II Corps. Both Frank and George gave great presentations, and the audience was amazed to learn more about the topic through the military presence of their families from Russia’s slavery and concentration camps to WWII military and visitors at the Battle of Monte Cassino.
Pani Danuta Antonik the Director of the Polish Saturday School in Manchester :
Your unwavering dedication to Polish history through your own family’s tragic history in Siberia and educating your students about the Polish deportation to Siberia genocide is deeply appreciated. I really enjoyed visiting your incredible school where I conducted special workshop at the Polish Saturday School in Manchester Polska Szkoła Przedmiotów Ojczystych im. św. Stanisława Kostki w Manchesterze in collaboration with Director Pani Danuta Antonik. The workshop, titled “Śpiewamy Historię (We Sing Our History) – 85th Anniversary of Poles Transported to Siberia edition”, took place on the morning of 8th February at St Paul’s High School. This invite-only event for Polish students aimed to encourage British-Polish friendship, celebrate intergenerational connections, and create a platform for greater cultural understanding.
Foto below featuring Katy Carr, Eva Szegedewicz, Danuta Antonik, Consul Gromski.
Father Karol Rogasik: Thank you for graciously hosting the event at the Polish Church and for the warm hospitality. Please convey our gratitude to Pani Teresa for her delicious meals.
Alexander Smaga: Renowned RIBA architect Alexander Smaga presented his innovative designs and contributions to memorial architecture, including the Polish Air Force Memorial for D-Day in Normandy. His discourse honoured the memory of the Polish military and their experiences during WWII. Thank you for sharing your Polish Air Force memorial in Normandy and highlighting the contributions of the Polish Siberian survivors.
Consul Gromski: Thank you so much for enlisting the support of The Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Manchester to host this wonderful event. Your beautiful flowers, which I have left in the Polish Church for the Siberia and Battle of Monte Cassino 1944 remembrance, were deeply appreciated. Your dedication and the support of our event and your wonderful family, including your lovely wife, Pani Ewelina, and daughter, Anna, made a significant impact. Thank you for your moving speech about this history which should never be forgotten.
Big thanks to the Siberian Survivors – Mr. & Mrs. Krupa for attending our event pictured standing to sing Czerwone maki na Monte Cassino
In Manchester, we were honoured to have Siberian Survivor – Bogdan Trybuchowski author of Polskie Drogi 1940-2000 przez Syberie, Iran, Indie i Afryke do Manchester attend our event
Bradford 10th Feb 2025:
In Bradford, we continued our journey of remembrance, honouring the legacy of the deported Poles. The performance transcended a mere concert; it was a powerful act of storytelling, shedding light on an often untold and unknown story. The presence of Siberian survivors was invaluable, testifying to their strength and endurance. Below with Siberian survivors, Pan i Pani Czesław i Stanisława Misiaczek who shared their incredible poetry and Pani Jozefa Kotowska
An Untold Story:
The deportation of Poles to Siberia remains one of the lesser-known atrocities of World War II. It is a narrative of suffering, survival, and the indomitable spirit of those forced into exile. As we gathered to honour these courageous individuals, it became evident how vital it is to preserve their memories and ensure that their experiences are never forgotten.
🌟On the 80th Anniversary of the Yalta Conference
On the 80th anniversary of the Yalta Conference (4-11 February 1945), I’m excited to share my album “Polonia,” inspired by the Western betrayal of Poland. During the conference, the “Big Three” – Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin – redrew Poland’s borders, leading to devastating consequences.
Nearly one million Poles couldn’t return home due to fears of totalitarian communist persecution.”Polonia” highlights the resilience and strength of the Polish people during this challenging time.
If you’d like a copy of the album “Polonia,” I’d be happy to send you a signed copy from my website: https://katycarr.com/shop/.
Your support means the world to me!#YaltaConference #Poland #PolishHistory #WWII #WesternBetrayal #NeverForget #CulturalHeritage #HistoricalMemory #PolishPride #Resilience #MusicAsHistory #HonouringThePast
Acknowledgements:
Thank you to Zosia Alchimowicz for her photos and for bringing you mother to the events and sharing her incredible story of survival with us.
We were so moved to hear that she was born on a cattle truck as her own mother, your grandmother was being deported to Siberia in 1940.
Thank you to Joanna Jóźwiak for her lovely Polish Saturday School photos and for your lovely comments below 🙂
‘ W tym roku stuknie mi już 6 lat w Polskiej Szkole. Ciesze się, że mogę tu być. Dostaje super dawke energii od dzieciaków, których uczę geografii turystycznej ale też czasem dzieje się coś niesamowitego… jak to spotkanie z Katy Carr. ‘
This year I will be 6 years old in Polish School. I’m happy to be here. I get a great dose of energy from the kids I teach tourist geography but also sometimes something amazing happens… like this meeting with Katy Carr.
Thank you to Helena and all at Radio Maria England for interviewing me for Mornings with Radio Maria England
In this interview Katy Carr, a descendant of a Polish Auschwitz survivor, speaks emotively about today’s anniversary of the deportation of 2 million Poles to Siberia in 1940. Katy Carr, a singer, performer, and songwriter, shares her perspectives and reflections.
At the end of the programme, we hear her song “Red Red Rose.” Watch the video.
I mention Parafia Miłosierdzia Bożego w Manchester, Konsulat Generalny Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej w Manchesterze, Witold Pilecki, Instytut Pamięci Narodowej (Institute of National Remembrance).
Interview in English with Polish American journalist Helena Judd. Listen to the interview : https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/radio-maria-england/episodes/Katy-Carr—85th-Anniversary-of-Poles-Deported-to-Siberia-e2um6p7/a-abp9da0
This month
✨✨WE REMEMBER✨✨
The 85th Anniversary of the mass theft of 2 million Polish civilians to human slavery in Russia from the date 10th Feb 1940
✨✨WE REMEMBER✨✨
The 80th Anniversary of the Yalta Conference (4-11 February 1945), where the “Big Three” – Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin – redrew Poland’s borders, leading to devastating consequences. My album “Polonia” highlights the resilience and strength of the Polish people during this challenging time.
💡 Looking Ahead:
Given the depth and gravity of the topic of Polish experiences of Russia’s aggression and slavery in Siberia, we propose a series of future events to explore this subject further.
I hope this marks the beginning of many future events and that the legacy of this event will lead to further opportunities for organising similar commemorations.Thank you for being part of this journey.
With love and gratitude,
Katy Carr