Władysław Bartoszewski

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Władysław Bartoszewski
Ambassador of The Republic of Poland to Austria
In office
20 September 1990 – 1 September 1995
Preceded byStanisław Bejger
Succeeded byJan Barcz
Personal details
Born(1922-02-19)19 February 1922
Warsaw, Poland
Died24 April 2015(2015-04-24) (aged 93)
Warsaw, Poland
Cause of deathMyocardial infarction
SpouseZofia Bartoszewska
ChildrenWładysław Teofil Bartoszewski
OccupationAcademician, journalist, politician, resistance member, social activist, writer
Righteous
Among the Nations
By country

Władysław Bartoszewski (

Polish underground and participated in the Warsaw Uprising. After the war he was persecuted and imprisoned by the communist Polish People's Republic due to his membership in the Home Army (Armia Krajowa, AK) and opposition activity.[2]

After the collapse of the communist regime, Bartoszewski served twice as the

Minister of Foreign Affairs from March through December 1995 and again from 2000 to 2001.[3] He was also an ambassador and a member of the Polish Senate. Bartoszewski was a close ally and friend of Polish anti-Communist activist and later president Lech Wałęsa.[4]

Bartoszewski was a

honorary citizen of Israel, and a member of the International Honorary Council of the European Academy of Diplomacy.[1]

Early life

Bartoszewski was born in

Catholic family.[5] In 1939 he graduated from The Humanist High School of the Roman Catholic Future Educational Society in Warsaw.[3]

World War II

In September 1939, Bartoszewski took part in the civil defense of Warsaw as a stretcher-bearer.[4] From May 1940, he worked in the first social clinic of the Polish Red Cross in Warsaw.[4] On 19 September 1940, Bartoszewski was detained in the Warsaw district of Żoliborz during a surprise round-up of members of the public (łapanka), along with some 2,000 civilians (among them, Witold Pilecki).[4][6] From 22 September 1940, he was detained in Auschwitz concentration camp (his inmate number was 4427). Due to actions undertaken by the Polish Red Cross, he was released from Auschwitz on 8 April 1941.[4]

Polish Underground State

Polish Theatre in Warsaw, April 1946. On stage, among others, the activists of Żegota
. Bartoszewski is sitting on the third right

After his release from Auschwitz, Bartoszewski contacted the

Warsaw University. At this time, higher education of Poles was outlawed by the German occupational authorities.[7]

In August 1942, Bartoszewski became a soldier of the Home Army, working as a reporter in the "P" Subdivision of the Information Department of its Information and Propaganda Bureau.[2] His pseudonym "Teofil" was inspired by Teofil Grodzicki, a fictional character from Jan Parandowski's novel entitled The Sky in Flames. He cooperated with Kazimierz Moczarski in the two-man P-1 report of the "P" subdivision.[7]

From September 1942, Bartoszewski was active on behalf of the Front for the Rebirth of Poland in the

Delegatura, its presence in Warsaw.[5] He remained a member of Żegota until the Warsaw Uprising. In 1943, he replaced Witold Bieńkowski in the Jewish Department of the Delegatura.[8]

From November 1942 to September 1943, Bartoszewski was an editorial team secretary of the Catholic magazine Prawda (The Truth), the press organ of the Front for the Rebirth of Poland.[5] From fall of 1942 until spring of 1944, Bartoszewski was the editor-in-chief of the Catholic magazine Prawda Młodych (The Youth's Truth), which was also connected with the Front for the Rebirth of Poland and aimed at university and high-school students. In November 1942, Bartoszewski became a vice-manager of a division created in the Department of Internal Affairs of the Delegatura, whose remit was to help prisoners of Pawiak prison.[7] In February 1943, Bartoszewski became a reporter and vice-manager of the Department's Jewish Report. As a part of his activities for Żegota and the Jewish Report, he organized assistance for the participants of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in April 1943.[5]

On 1 August 1944, Bartoszewski began his participation in the Warsaw Uprising.

Cross of Valor order on 4 October.[7]

Post-World War II

Bartoszewski left Warsaw on 7 October 1944.[2] He continued his underground activity in the Information and Propaganda Bureau of the Home Army at its General Headquarters in Kraków. From November 1944 to January 1945, he held a position as editorial team secretary for Information Bulletin.[2] At the end of February 1945, he returned to Warsaw, where he began his service in the information and propaganda section of NIE resistance movement.[3] From May to August 1945, Bartoszewski was serving in the sixth unit of the Delegatura (he was responsible for information and propaganda) under the supervision of Kazimierz Moczarski). On 10 October 1945, he revealed that he had served in the AK.[4]

In Autumn 1945, Bartoszewski started his cooperation with the Institute of National Remembrance at the presidium of the government and the Head Commission of Examination of German Crimes in Poland.[4] His information gathered during the occupation period about the Nazi crimes, the situation in concentration camps and prisons, as well as his knowledge concerning the Jewish genocide, appeared to be very helpful.[3]

In February 1946 he began his work in the editorial section of Gazeta Ludowa (People's Gazette), the main press organ of the Polish People's Party (Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe, PSL). Soon, he joined the PSL, at that time the only influential party in opposition to the communist government.[4] In the articles published in Gazeta Ludowa, he mentioned the outstanding figures of the Polish Underground State (the interview with Stefan Korboński, the report from the funeral of Jan Piekałkiewicz), and the events connected with the fight for liberation of the country (a series of sketches presenting the Warsaw Uprising entitled Dzień Walczącej Stolicy).[4]

Due to his collaboration with the PSL, Bartoszewski became subject to

Ministry of Justice).[3] Although Bartoszewski was accepted into the third year of Polish Studies in December 1948, his arrest in 1949 and the resulting five years' imprisonment rendered him unable to finish his studies.[4]

Bartoszewski was again arrested on 14 December 1949.[2] On 29 May 1952, he was sentenced by the Military District Court to eight years in prison due to the false charge of espionage.[4] In April 1954, he was moved to the prison in Rawicz and in June to the prison in Racibórz. He was released in August 1954 on a year's parole due to his bad health condition.[2] On 2 March 1955, during the wave of de-Stalinization, Bartoszewski was informed he was wrongly sentenced.[2][4]

Career

Literary, academic and journalistic activity

After Bartoszewski was found wrongly sentenced and released from prison, he returned to his journalistic activity. Since August 1955, he was the editor-in-chief of specialist publishing houses of the Polish Librarians Association.

vice-chancellor, he was expelled from the university in October 1962.[9]

On 18 April 1963, Bartoszewski was decorated with the

Polonia Restituta medal for his help to the Jews during the war.[9] The proposal was put forward by the Jewish Historical Institute.[9] Between September and November 1963, he resided in Israel at the invitation of the Yad Vashem Institute. In the name of the Council for Aid to Jews, he received the diploma of the Righteous Among the Nations. In 1966, he received the medal of the Righteous Among the Nations.[11] In memoriam, former Israeli Ambassador Govrin would later write: "Władysław Bartoszewski will always be remembered as an individual who greatly contributed to the strengthening of Polish-Israeli ties, well before diplomatic ties were renewed and well after.[12]

From November to December 1963, Bartoszewski lived in

Catholic University of Lublin). In December 1981, he was an active participant in the First Polish Culture Congress, which was interrupted by the enforcement of martial law in Poland.[3]

In 1983–1984 and 1986–1988, Bartoszewski lectured at the Institute of Political Science Faculty of Social Sciences at the

Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich (as well as the Media Science Institute at the same university in 1989–90).[3] He was named Visiting Professor by the Bavarian government. In 1984, he received an honorary doctorate from Hebrew College in Baltimore (USA) as well as a certificate of the recognition from the American Jewish Committee in New York.[3]

From May 1984, Bartoszewski was a full member of the

Independent Commission of Experts (ICE) 1992–2002 which was set up by the Swiss parliament to examine the refugee policy of the Switzerland during World War II as well as economic and financial relationships between Switzerland and Nazi Germany.[3] Bartoszewski took part in many international conferences and seminars dedicated to the issues of World War II, the Jewish genocide, Polish-German and Polish-Jewish relationships as well as the role of Polish intellectualists in politics.[11] He delivered a number of lectures and reports on the various international forums.[9]

Opposition activity

In 1970, due to his opposition activity and various relations in Western countries, Bartoszewski was forbidden to publish his works in Poland (until autumn 1974).

People's Republic of Poland.[11] He helped establish the Society for Educational Courses and he lectured at the "Flying University".[9]

On 21 August 1980, Bartoszewski signed the intellectuals' letter to the protesting workers from the Polish coast.[4] During 1980/1981 he was a member of Solidarity.[9] After announcing martial law on 13 December 1981, he was a detainee in Białołęka prison and later in the Internment Center in Jaworze at Drawsko Pomorskie Military Training Area. He was released on 28 April 1982 due to the support from intellectual communities from Poland and from abroad.[1]

In 1981, Edward Raczyński, the President of Poland in exile, proposed Bartoszewski as his successor so Bartoszewski could become president in exile after his resignation.[9] Raczyński, according to his own words, wanted someone from the country and not the emigre circles as well as with strong ties to the opposition in Poland. Bartoszewski, however, graciously refused. In 1987 Raczyński's final successor, Kazimierz Sabbat, also proposed Batoszewski be nominated, but he declined.[4] Had he accepted the position, he would have succeeded Sabbat after his sudden death in 1989.[13]

Third Republic of Poland

Diplomatic and political activity

From September 1990 to March 1995, Bartoszewski held the position of Ambassador of the Polish Republic to Austria.

Council of Ministers (Prime Minister Donald Tusk) and plenipotentiary for international affairs.[11]

Social and academic activity

Bartoszewski (right, background) with Bronisław Geremek (left, background), 1997

From June 1990, Bartoszewski was chairperson of the International Council of the National Auschwitz Museum.

honorary doctorate of the University of Wrocław.[11]

Starting in June 2001, Bartoszewski was the leader of the Council for the Protection of Memory of Combat and Martyrdom. On 27 January 2005, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, he delivered speeches as the representative of the Polish inmates of concentration camps.[4][11] For many years he was a strong supporter of the Polish-Jewish and Polish-German reconciliation.[11] Through his journalistic and academic activity he contributed to retaining the memory of the Polish Underground State, the Warsaw Uprising and the crimes of totalitarianism.[4]

From 26 January to 29 June 2006, Bartoszewski headed the board of

SB secret police.[4][14]

Bartoszewski's scholarly credentials were controversial. He had no university degree but used the title of "

German Ministry of Foreign Affairs removed the title of "professor" before Bartoszewski's name from its web page.[15] Despite his lack of formal academic qualifications, Bartoszewski taught graduate-level history courses at several accredited and prestigious universities, including the renowned KUL (John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin), which lists Bartoszewski as a reader in modern history (and chair of Polish Postwar History) in the Faculty of Humanities, 1973–1985, and awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2008.[16] From April 2009 he was a council member of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation.[11] In July 2010 he became a member of the International Council of the Austrian Service Abroad.[11]

At a joint conference of the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) and the Israel Council on Foreign Relations (ICFR) held in Warsaw in November 2017, ICFR director Laurence Weinbaum paid tribute to Bartoszewski and said he had played an important role in developing relations between Poland and Israel: "At a time when in certain quarters we are witness to shameless opportunism and the grotesque obfuscation of history, his legacy resonates especially strongly. Bartoszewski taught people that bellicose jingoism and intolerance should not be confused with the true love of one's country and that a society that gives way to its basest instincts is doomed to ruin."[17]

Personal life

Władysław Bartoszewski was first married to Antonina Mijal, but that marriage ended in divorce.

ISBN 0-8076-1267-7.[10]

On 24 April 2015, Bartoszewski was admitted to a Warsaw hospital, dying shortly after arrival of a heart attack, aged 93.[18][19] Flags at the parliament were lowered to half-staff in Bartoszewski's honor. Bartoszewski was survived by wife Zofia and son Władysław Teofil.[3] Bartoszewski's funeral was on 4 May and was buried at Powązki Military Cemetery.[20]

Publications

English

Polish

German

Awards and honors

1944:
Cross of Valor[21]
1963: Knight's Cross of the
Polonia Restituta[21]
1965: Righteous Among the Nations[21]
1981: Honorary doctorate from the University of London[21]
1983: Herder Prize, Vienna[21]
1984: Honorary doctorate from the University of Baltimore[21]
1986:
Peace Prize of the German Book Trade[21]
1986: Commander's Cross with Star of the
Polonia Restituta
1992:
Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class[22]
1995: Knight of the Order of the White Eagle[21]
1995:
Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash for Services to the Republic of Austria (Großes Goldenes Ehrenzeichen am Bande)[23]
1996: Heinrich Heine Prize of the city of Düsseldorf[24]
1997: Grand Cross with Star of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany[21]
2001:
Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany – "For work of reconciliation between Poles, Germans and Jews"[21]
2006: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Gregory the Great (Holy See; the highest papal award given to lay people)[21]
2006: Knight of Freedom Award[21]
2007: Jan Nowak-Jezioranski Prize of the Embassy of the USA[25]
June 2007: International Adalbert Prize in Bratislava[21]
2008: Prize of €15,000 – first European Civil Rights Prize of the Sinti and Roma[21]
2009: Commander of the
Legion of Honor (France)[21]
2009: "
Bene Merito
" honorary distinction (Poland)
2012: Order of the White Double Cross, 2nd class[21]
2013: Elie Wiesel Award[26]
2015:
Honorary citizen of Israel[27]

References

The article was originally a translation of its Polish version (Władysław Bartoszewski), with additions from the German version.

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Władysław Bartoszewski dies at 93". The International News.com. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Władysław Bartoszewski nie żyje". tvn24.pl. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Former Polish Foreign Minister Bartoszewski Dies at 93". ABC News.com. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  4. ^
    New York Times
    .com. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Polish ex-minister and Nazi resister Bartoszewski dies at 93". Times of Israel.com. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  6. ISBN 0-7867-0629-5
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h "Władysław Bartoszewski nie żyje". Wyborcza.com. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  8. ^ Marszalec, Janusz. "Murder on the Makowieckis and Widerszal. Old Case, New Questions, New Doubt", Zagłada Żydów vol. II] (2006), ceeol.com; accessed 25 April 2015.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Wladyslaw Bartoszewski, former Polish foreign minister, dies at 93". DW.com. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Biography of Władysław Bartoszewski". Gariwo.com. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  11. ^
    Wall Street Journal
    .com. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  12. S2CID 147992632
    .
  13. Warszawa
    , 2006.
  14. ^ Editorial (9 October 2008). "IPN: SB preparowało materiały kompromitujące Bartoszewskiego (Materials to defame Bartoszewski were fabricated by SB, says IPN)". Wiadomości (in Polish). Gazeta Wyborcza. Retrieved 25 April 2015. Z zapisu w katalogu IPN wynika, że spreparowane materiały wytworzono jako "element kombinacji operacyjnej SB mającej na celu skompromitowanie Bartoszewskiego w środowisku dziennikarskim i inteligenckim jako agenta SB"
  15. ^ Profesor Bartoszewski trafił do prokuratury, 25 August 2008.
  16. ^ "Official biography at KUL website"
  17. ^ Gliński: nigdy nie przestaniemy czuć się odpowiedzialni za pamięć o polskich Żydach - Polsat News, 17 November 2017
  18. ^ Lyman, Rick (27 April 2015). "Wladyslaw Bartoszewski, 93, Dies; Polish Auschwitz Survivor Aided Jews". New York Times. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  19. ^ Scislowska, Monika (1 May 2015). "Wladyslaw Bartoszewski: Polish resistance hero and Auschwitz survivor who joined Solidarity and twice served as foreign minister". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  20. ^ "4 maja pogrzeb Władysława Bartoszewskiego". tvn24.pl (in Polish). TVN24. 25 April 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Władysław Bartoszewski". Desert War.com. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  22. ^ "Reply to a parliamentary question" (PDF) (in German). p. 930. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  23. ^ "Reply to a parliamentary question" (PDF) (in German). p. 999. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  24. ^ "Wladyslaw Bartoszewski" (in German). Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  25. ^ "Władysław Bartoszewski Receives Jan Nowak-Jeziorański Public Service Award". State.gov. Retrieved 25 April 2015.[permanent dead link]
  26. ^ "Władysław Bartoszewski Received the Elie Wiesel Award". Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  27. ^ Foy, Henry (25 April 2015). "Władysław Bartoszewski, Polish survivor of Auschwitz, 1922–2015". Financial Times. FT.com. Archived from the original on 10 December 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2015.

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