In cooperation with Aktywny Dialog Poland 9th Nov 2025

This Remembrance Sunday workshop, held at the Loughborough Polish Club, was dedicated to honouring the victims of the Soviet deportations of Polish citizens to Siberia. Taking place during the 85th anniversary of these tragic events, the session created a space for reflection on the forced displacement, suffering, and slave labour endured by Polish families under Russian aggression.

Participants explored the historical trauma experienced by the Sybiracy — families torn from their homes, transported in freezing cattle wagons, and subjected to starvation, disease, and brutal forced labour in Siberian settlements and labour camps. The workshop encouraged intergenerational dialogue, allowing younger audiences to learn directly from preserved testimonies and community memory, ensuring that the truth of these atrocities is not lost.

A special highlight of the event was a moving musical performance by Katy Carr, whose songs — inspired by the stories of Sybiracy and the wider Polish wartime experience — added a powerful emotional dimension to the gathering. Her music offered moments of reflection, unity, and remembrance, deepening the collective understanding of the resilience shown by those who survived Soviet repression.

Acknowledgements

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire Polish community for their unwavering support, presence, and commitment to preserving historical truth. Our sincere gratitude goes to Father Krzysztof, whose guidance and support have been invaluable throughout this commemorative work.

We also warmly thank Rafał and Beata, along with the dedicated administration team at the Loughborough Polish Club, for their exceptional organisation, hospitality, and assistance. Their hard work made this event possible and ensured that our remembrance of the Sybiracy was carried out with dignity, respect, and unity.

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