The Polish Post commemorates Poles who saved Jews during World War II
The exhibition dedicated to Poles who saved Jews during World War II will open simultaneously at five post offices on March 22nd. Two days later, a stamp from the "Poles Saving Jews" issue featuring a portrait of the Ulma family and a postcard featuring Sister Matylda Getter and photos of the children she saved during the German occupation will be released.
The official opening of the "Action Żegota of the Polish Underground State" exhibition will take place at five post offices: in Bydgoszcz (6 Jagiellońska Street), Tarnów (6 Adama Mickiewicza Street), Białystok (10 Warszawska Street), Łódź (5/7 Tadeusza Kościuszki Avenue), and Lublin (50 Krakowskie Przedmieście Street). The exhibition was prepared by the Institute of National Remembrance. Last year, it was on display at the main post offices in Warsaw, Katowice, Kraków, Poznań, and Gdańsk.
In connection with the establishment, at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, of the National Day of Remembrance of Poles Who Rescued Jews under German Occupation , the Polish Post has issued a commemorative stamp and postcard. They will be presented on March 24th of this year during ceremonies organized by the Institute of National Remembrance, together with the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary and the Office for War Veterans and Victims of Oppression.
In 1985, Sister Matylda Getter, Mother Superior of the Warsaw Province of the Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary, received the Righteous Among the Nations medal. Six nuns from the Congregation were also awarded the medal. The postcard, with the payment stamp printed on it, was created by Bożydar Grozdew, who depicted Sister Matylda Getter and photographs of rescued children placed on two hands. The entire piece is accompanied by the quote: "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me" (Matthew 18:5).
On March 24, 2019, the Polish Post Office launched the "Poles Saving Jews" series with a stamp dedicated to the Ulma Family. The sepia-toned graphic depicts Józef and Wiktoria Ulma surrounded by their children. The sheet consists of eight stamps and a tag depicting hands surrounding a Star of David. During the German occupation, the Ulma family provided shelter to eight Jews. They paid the ultimate price for this help. On the morning of March 24, 1944, five German gendarmes and several Navy Blue policemen arrived at their home. First, they murdered the Jews, then Józef and Wiktoria (who was seven months pregnant). Then, they killed all their children. Posthumously, Józef and Wiktoria were awarded the Righteous Among the Nations medal and the Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, and the beatification process for the entire Ulma family is underway in the Catholic Church. The stamp, with a face value of 3.30 złoty, was issued in a circulation of 160,000.
About the stamp:
author of the project: Poczta Polska
number of stamps: 1
value: PLN 3.30
circulation: 160,000 pcs
printing technique: offset
stamp format: 39.5 x 51 mm
sales sheet: 8 stamps + tag
paper: fluorescent
date of introduction into circulation: March 24, 2019
About the card:
card designer: Bożydar Grozdew
number of stamps: 1
value: A
circulation: 8,000 pcs
printing technique: offset
card format: 148 x 105 mm
date of introduction into circulation: March 24, 2019
These and other publications of Poczta Polska can be purchased at designated Poczta Polska branches and online store: www.filatelistyka.poczta-polska.pl .