Dear Mrs. Skurjat-Kozek, I would like to thank you for the kind invitation to attend celebration of Bicentenary of the death of our famous compatriot Tadeusz Kosciuszko last week-end in Jindabyne. I and my wife Lilia enjoyed events included in the program. We noted your personal as well as of all other participants devotion in organizing this remarkable commemoration.
But to my regret at the photo exhibition there were no photos related to Kosciuszko’s sites in Belarus where he was borne. It is known that Kosciuszko was not only
a great patriot of Poland. Moreover, he self-identified as Litwin (till 18th century this name was used to refer to Belarusians). Helas, these facts were not mentioned in any form during celebration. Tadeusz Kosciuszko is a son of Belarusian land, national hero of Poland and USA. The house in the village Marachoushchyna in Belarus where he was borne is rebuilt and a large stone bearing the commemorative plaque with his bas-relief is installed.
You will find annexed herewith the pictures of Kosciuszko’s native house (there is a museum now) and his bas-relief. I hope Kosciuszko Heritage Inc will accept to use these photos during other events in the future.
The Belarusian origins of Tadeusz Kosciuszko and enormous role he played in the history of Poland and USA must not be considered as an apple of discord between us. But on the contrary the recognition of that will serve for better understanding by Poles of Belarusians with whom they had almost 400 years of closely linked history.
Best regards,
Viktar Shykh
Ambassador of Belarus to Australia
From Kosciuszko Heritage Inc.: Your Excellency. Thank you for your presence during Jindabyne Festivities, we are also grateful for your remarks and a contribution to our photo exhibition.Certainly, we will use these photos happily in the future, and are publishing them right now.
You mention a photo exhibition. There were 4 different ones but you probably refer to the one that was displayed on the walls around the concert hall. The title of this one was "The recent historic Ngarigo visit to Cracow" which documented our delegation's participation in the main Kosciuszko's Death Bicentennial Celebrations in Poland, attended by President Andrzej Duda and the First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda. So this exhibition had a different perspective. The other one (in a neighbouring room in Memorial Hall) presented the best graphic works submitted to the International "Kosciuszko Bicentenary" Competition with some works by Mr Adasik of Belarus also included.
Another two photo exhibitions had been open throughout October 2017 in the Visitors Centre/Kosciuszko National Park. The first one presented history of Kosciuszko Festivals in Jindabyne & building friendship between Polish community and the traditional owners of Mt Kosciuszko.The second one presented Kosciuszko's Monuments all over the world (a unique collection by Felix Molski).
Mr Molski had travelled extensively this year to locate and photograph the remaining monuments & plaques in Europe; Mereczowszczyzna & Siecznowicze were on his itinerary but due to logistic obstacles could not make it. He plans to do it next time.
Once more we thank you for your presence at the Kosciuszko Bicentenary Festival. Let's build the Kosciuszko fame together.
Ernestyna Skurjat-Kozek
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