Gold Merit Badge for Auschwitz & Mauthausen Survivor Zalewski
"With his tireless efforts, Stanisław Zalewski has helped to bring the heinous crimes of the Nazi regime to the attention of generations of young people and has thus made a lasting contribution in the fight against extremism and totalitarianism. For this, he deserves our thanks and respect," said the minister responsible for the memorial, according to the statement on Tuesday.
Concentration camp survivor Zalewski was active in the Polish resistance
Zalewski was active in the Polish resistance during World War II by sabotaging Wehrmacht vehicles as a mechanic. In 1943, he was arrested and initially sent to Auschwitz concentration camp and later to Mauthausen. Since 2008, he has been the president of the Polish Association of Former Political Prisoners of Nazi Prisons and Concentration Camps. He appears as a witness, participates in commemorations, and meets with young people. His commitment is also the subject of the documentary "Ambassador of Remembrance," which has been shown in school cinema screenings in several countries since last year. Zalewski intends to use his current stay in Vienna to speak with students after screenings of the film.
A special honor is to be bestowed upon Zalewski this Tuesday afternoon when he receives the Golden Rathausmann at the Vienna City Hall. This award, personally decided by the mayor, is given only once or twice a year. Last year, the publicist Paul Lendvai and the singer Peter Kraus were honored with a Golden Rathausmann.
Golden Rathausmann also awarded in Vienna
The illustrious circle of Golden Rathausmann recipients has gained a special person: the Polish concentration camp survivor Stanisław Zalewski (99) was honored on Tuesday afternoon by Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) with the award, which is given only once or twice a year. The location of the presentation was symbolic: in the Red Salon of the City Hall, Austria's democracy was re-established after World War II on April 27, 1945.
Ludwig presented the golden statuette in the presence of his Krakow counterpart Aleksander Miszalski and the Polish ambassador Zenon Kosiniak-Kamysz, as well as the director Magdalena Żelasko, who has honored the Auschwitz survivor with the documentary "Ambassador of Remembrance."
"Joint Struggle" Against Fascist Endeavors
The mayor particularly praised Zalewski's work of remembrance, especially in contact with young people. With the honor, he wanted to "make it clear that our joint struggle serves to counter all fascist and right-wing extremist endeavors." He is united with Zalewski in the effort for a democratic Europe.
In his words of thanks, Zalewski insisted on continuing to learn from the crimes against humanity committed by the Nazi regime. This simply means "that it is important to be a human and to act humanely." Concentration camps were places where people forgot that one person should do good to another, said the 99-year-old, who had to spend more than 600 days in the concentration camps of Auschwitz, Mauthausen, and Gusen.
Election Date on the Anniversary of the Restoration of Democracy "Fits"
Zalewski, as a recipient of the Golden Rathausmann, stands alongside publicist Paul Lendvai, marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge, and pop singer Peter Kraus. These individuals are connected by their contributions to the people of Vienna in various fields, said Ludwig in an APA interview. In Zalewski's case, it is that he speaks about his experiences in the concentration camp, emphasized the mayor, who personally decides on the award and is not bound by any proposal.
When asked about the Vienna election date - which falls on the historically significant April 27th - Ludwig said that democracy "must be achieved daily" and that "it is not a given to live in a democracy." When asked whether the coincidence with the anniversary might have played a role in the decision on the Vienna election date or if he thought it fitting when bringing it forward, the trained historian smiled and replied, "It fits."
(APA/Red.)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.