Welcome to KRESY FAMILY
PAST EVENTS AND REVIEWS 2025
On February 8, 2025, in London, the annual commemoration took place. This year's gathering was particularly significant as it commemorated the 85th anniversary of the deportation of Poles to Siberia.
The event was organised by the Kresy Family group, which continues the tradition of these meetings that were previously held by the "Ognisko Rodzin Osadników Kresowych" (OROK). Over the years, the event has grown so much that it moved from the Łowiczanka restaurant to the more spacious Sala Malinowa at POSK, which accommodated over 140 people, including 12 Siberians. Guests came not only from London but from various parts of the UK, including Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Southampton, Reading, Salisbury, Swindon, and Ipswich, as well as from abroad, including Sweden, the United States, and Singapore.
Participants enjoyed an excellent meal prepared by the Łowiczanka restaurant, which included traditional Polish dishes such as barszcz, duck, and a vegetarian option – spinach pancakes. Guests were delighted by the quality of the food and the warm, professional service.
After the meal, attendees heard the talented mezzo-soprano Iwona Januszajtis, who performed her own compositions and led the audience in singing well-known Polish songs. During the event, a raffle was held, with prizes including books, alcoholic beverages, chocolates, and paintings by Mrs. Małgorzata Zajączkowska.
In Honor of the Heroes
This year’s meeting had a special significance as we bid farewell to two outstanding members of the Kresy Family community – Danuta Gradosielska and Ryszard Grzybowski. Danuta, who served in the 316th Transport Company during the war, was a long-time supporter of the Kresy Family activities. Two of her daughters are actively involved in the organisation. Ryszard, as the chairman of OROK for many years, mentored Kresy Family and played a key role in the publication of two important books on the organisation’s website: Memories from Military Settlements and Stalin's Ethnic Cleansing.
A Wonderful Meeting
Special thanks go to Mr. Bartek from POSK, whose help ensured the smooth running of the event, from preparing the hall to managing the audio-visual equipment. All those involved in organising the event are volunteers, and special thanks go to Ewa Gradosielska, who took on the enormous challenge of coordinating reservations, payments, and dietary preferences for 140 guests.
The meeting left indelible memories in the hearts of the participants, and everyone is looking forward to next year's gathering.
A selection of books relevant to this topic, including the title by Nicholas Kinloch which was sold out, were available for sale and proved very popular. The event concluded with coffee, tea, and delicious apple cake.
The ceremony began with a warm welcome from the chairwoman, Mirka Wojnar, after which Nicholas Kinloch, the author of the book From the Soviet Gulag to Arnhem, shared the remarkable story of his grandfather, Stanisław Kulik. Kulik was taken from Poland to Siberia. Following the “Amnesty” he eventually he joined the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade in Scotland and took part in Operation Market Garden.
As in previous years, the event was honoured by the presence of Consul Anna Tarnowska-Waszak, whose attendance added a significant touch to the occasion.
Among those present were Sybiracy: Czesława Nowińska-Cogill, Regina Fuglewicz, Jerry Kubica, Bronisława Miotła, Władysław Mleczko, Eugeniusz Niedzielski, Bolesława Oleszczuk, Genowefa Rataj, Marian Słomka, Arkadiusz Taczalski, Janina Tomaszewska, and Maria Wieleńczyc. They were deported to different parts of the Soviet Union, including Arkhangelsk, the Altai Krai, and Kazakhstan. Many of them reached the UK through various paths, including through the Anders Army, refugee camps in India and Africa, and repatriation to Poland after the war.