We present to you the publication (in Polish language) which is the result of the international scientific conference “Treblinka – ostrzega i przypomina! W 80. rocznicę utworzenia Karnego Obozu Pracy Treblinka I” (Treblinka – warns and reminds! On the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Treblinka I Penal Labor Camp) organized at the Treblinka Museum on 31/05/2021 – 01/06/2021.
For many years, the efforts were made for the museum to become an independent unit and to create a facility that meets the expectations of modern visitors. In 2018, the Treblinka Museum became a local government cultural institution run by the organizer – the Mazowieckie Voivodeship Self-Government and the Minister of Culture and National Heritage. The conference, on which this book was based, was held at the Treblinka Museum as an independent unit. About 30 lectures were delivered, that considered the broader context of the Treblinka Memorial Site. Among other things, there were lectures on the difficult history of both camps, including the little-known martyrdom of the Roma, memories of people who were affected by this place, reflections on the influence of Treblinka on visitors, the motive of Treblinka in literature. The details about the cooperation of the Museum with other entities were also presented, as well as the results of archaeological research carried out in the vicinity of both camps. We would like to thank all the speakers who participated in the conference for their time, sharing their knowledge, reflections and given comments.
This meeting took place under the unfavorable pandemic circumstances. Several people delivered speeches at the Treblinka Museum, others online. The online form allowed contact with people from distant places of Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Israel and the USA.
The international scientific conference “Treblinka – ostrzega i przypomina! W 80. rocznicę utworzenia Karnego Obozu Pracy Treblinka I” (Treblinka – warns and reminds! On the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Treblinka I Penal Labor Camp) was the third conference in a series of meetings related to the Treblinka II Extermination Camp and Treblinka I Penal Labor Camp. Taking up a new challenge, we want to maintain continuity with the past. Publications were also the result of previous conferences organized in Treblinka. The first conference “Co wiemy o Treblince. Stan Badań” (What do we know about Treblinka. Review of Research) took place in 2011, the post-conference book was published in 2013. Our second conference “Treblinka. Historia i Pamięć” (Treblinka. History and Memory) took place in 2014. The post-conference book was published in 2015. I hope that the next planned international scientific conference “Treblinka. Przestrzeń Miejsca Pamięci” (Treblinka. The Space of the Memorial Site), which will be devoted to the present landscape of the former camps, the Gravel Pit and the Execution Site, will be held in the newly built museum facility. The planned result of the conference is to develop a historical and landscape plan for the area of the Treblinka Museum. It is an urgent need, which is clearly proven by the “Treblinka Museum Conservation and Research Study” developed by the Treblinka Museum and approved by the Masovian Provincial Conservator of Monuments. It draws attention to the need to conserve the post-camp relics in the Penal Labour Camp and all elements of the commemoration as soon as possible, especially in the area of the Extermination Camp, which was built in 1964 and also requires quick intervention.
The latest publication of the Treblinka Museum comes out at a special time.
In 2022, we pay tribute to the victims of the German Operation “Reinhardt”, which, 80 years ago, led to the liquidation of almost all Jewish communities in Poland. This year is also the 80th anniversary of the murder of Janusz Korczak in the Treblinka II German Nazi Extermination Camp. There have been a war in Europe since February this year, which was caused by the Russian Federation by armed aggression against Ukraine. Getting to know and popularizing history not only serves to commemorate past events, it is also a reference to the present. We hope that the book “Treblinka – ostrzega i przypomina! W 80. rocznicę utworzenia Karnego Obozu Pracy Treblinka I”, will allow for a broader look both at the history of Treblinka and the Holocaust, but also at the consequences of disrespect and trampling on the dignity of another human being. The essence of humanity is compassion and the ability to think and draw constructive conclusions from the past. We hope that the publication that we are handing over to you will contribute to increasing awareness of the difficult heritage that the Treblinka Museum takes care of.
The book can be purchased at the Treblinka Museum for 55 PLN.