Speech on the occassion of the re-opening of
the
general Maczek museum saterday 29 october 2007
Door F.Ruczyński voorzitter van het museum.
Honourable guests
As chairman of the General Maczek Museum I am very honoured to welcome so many
authorities and
other guests.I specially welcome his Excellency ambassador of Poland in the Netherlands mr.
Stanczyk. Accredited
only this month you honour us already with your visit.
A special welcome also for:
The
lord mayor of Breda mr van der Velden
The
Director of the Netherlands Defence Academy also governor of the Royal Military
Academy major general van Groningen
From Poland the commander of the 11th Polish armoured Division from
Zagan major general Lamla together with his officers. From United Kingdom mr Deimel, latest chairman of the world organisation of
Veterans of the 1 Polish Armoured Division
Ladies
and gentlemenI
want to spent a moment to look at the past , the present and the future of the
General Maczek Museum.
Ten years ago almost today, the General Maczek Museum was officially opened by
the Commander of the Dutch Army General Schouten. The Dutch Ministry of Defence
showed in this way its appreciation for the efforts of the Polish forces and the
special place the Polish soldiers have in the Dutch community of Breda. The
former mayor of Breda and the governor of the Royal military Academy supported
this initiative.
Already in 1981 it was decided to form an official foundation and a permanent exhibition. In 1997 two representatives of the polish veterans requested the Commander of the army, quarters for a Polish home and a museum in these barracks. This was granted. The official name of the foundation today is Foundation Museum Breda – Poland, 1939-1945, General Maczek When I started my chairmanship in 1997 the museum counted two volunteers and a modest exhibition. The museum wanted to exploit in several areas of interest. Many volunteers with all kinds of qualities were needed. Fortunately we soon found new volunteers. After the initial good start the museum had also some setbacks. In 2000 our conservator mr Coenders died and in 2004 we lost our enthusiastic and knowledgeable historica mrs Gosia Smulders Wojchechowska. A great loss. Also in 2004 we celebrated the 60th liberation year. Together with the General Maczek Museum the Museum of Breda organized an impressive exposition. Our war collection extended. Last year The council of Breda donated the big painting of Monte Cassino to the museum. With support of sponsors we had it restored and it now shows itself gloriously in the exposition.
At this moment the museum organization exists of 30 volunteers. They are active in several areas. Most of them assist at the monthly openings for the public and special visits of groups. Others are very busy re- registrating and digitalizing the content of the library. This is time consuming and needs a very accurate approach. The museum possesses more than 4000 books. Some of them are very unique. Every week an enthusiastic conservation group gathers to registrate new items and prepares new temporary expositions. Three volunteers are responsible for thousands of photographs, films, video’s and a sound archive. We just introduced a new housestyle. A new web site will be put on the internet this year. We are forming a re-enactment group. You will see some exemples outside later. Externally we also have activities. This month the museum gives lectures in Eindhoven and Soesterberg. Other groups are welcomed in the museum. These are examples of the extending activities but most of all growing interest of people.In the last ten years many thousands of visitors from home and abroad entered the museum. This year the Polish Prime minister mr Kaczynski payed us a visit and in June the marshal of Wielkopolska region was here together with the queen’s commissioner in the Province of Noord Brabant mrs Maij –Weggen.
All these activities would not have been possible without the energetic support of all our volunteers.This summary would give the impression the museum has sufficient support of people. That’s not completely true. There are some areas of interest which still need extra support. We want to be open for the public more often. More historical research is necessary. A special programme for schools must be developed. The future opening of the library to the public needs extra expertise. The conservation group actively searches for war history items. Happily more and more people think it’s worth wile to donate their precious war remembrances. Some rare items however you have to buy. Although the Dutch Military authorities give us an excellent support, the museum has to work with a modest budget formed from donations of visitors and sponsors. The many ambitions however have to be supported by a healthy budget. Structural solutions are necessary
Today we are here for a re-opening The museum has 5 new rooms available. In these rooms you will find the library, the board of governors room, the multi-media hall, the shop/annex coffee corner and two rooms for the conservation group. Almost for a year a hard core of volunteers worked very hard to make these rooms fit for their new purpose. By moving the shop/annex coffee corner and by using a new multi-media-hall the exposition part has more room. This extension helps the museum to realise its objectives. The objectives are focused on the realisation of a centre of knowledge and research especially directed at Breda and its region in wartime and the military activities of all Polish forces in the Netherlands. This means the effort of the soldiers of general Maczek, the parachutists of general Sosabowski and the Polish air force. The board hopes to extend the museum in the future to a semi professional organization.I would like to end my speech not without thanking you again for being here today. Your massive positive reaction on our invitation shows us that you feel committed to the work we all execute. We need your support.
I now want to ask your attention for his Excellency the Polish ambassador mr. Stanczyk who wants to speak a few words.
26-06-2011 ◊ LAST UPDATE
Generaal Maczek Museum 