Remembering the Katyn Massacre: 'They escaped to Manchuria' Exhibition on History and Legacy

This exhibition commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Katyn massacre revelation, exploring its historical context, the 'Katyn Lie,' and the ongoing relevance of this tragedy in light of current events. It delves into the differing memories of the massacre and the challenges of remembrance.

This exhibition marks 80 years since the world learned of the Katyn massacre, a Soviet atrocity against Polish prisoners of war. It investigates the 'Katyn Lie,' a narrative maintained for decades, and the eventual admission of Soviet responsibility. The exhibition highlights that despite the passage of time, the full truth about the victims and their burial places remains elusive. It contrasts official historical accounts with the memories preserved by victims' families and explores various interpretations of the events, from an unprecedented atrocity to a textbook example of political cynicism. The exhibition questions how the Katyn Lie was sustained for so long and who protected the truth. It also reflects on the security of remembrance sites, noting the recent bombing of the Katyn cemetery in Kharkiv, and poses critical questions about the necessary forms of remembrance for the Katyn massacre today and in the future, especially in the context of the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine.