Siberian Exiles Memorial

The Siberian Exiles Memorial commemorates Poles deported to Siberia and Soviet labour camps in the depths of the USSR, particularly residents of the Sieradz region. It was unveiled on 17 September 2012, on World Day of Remembrance of Siberian Exiles, at the intersection of Rycerska and Żwirki i Wigury streets in central Sieradz. The date of 17 September was chosen deliberately - it marks the anniversary of Soviet aggression against Poland in 1939, when the USSR and the Third Reich divided Polish territory between themselves.

History of deportations from the Sieradz region

Poles from Sieradz and Sieradz county were deported to Siberia and eastern territories of the USSR during the Second World War and Soviet occupation. Soviet reprisals included the deportation of entire families, whose members were sent to hard labour camps in Siberia, where they faced enslavement and subjugation. The memorial stands as a testament to these tragic experiences and a tribute to those who did not return from exile.

Initiative and financing of the memorial

The initiative to build the memorial was born in 2011 among the local community. After obtaining the consent of mayor Jacek Walczak, discussions were held with local government units of Sieradz county regarding financial support. The involvement of many local institutions and the community led to the creation of this memorial, which stands as a symbol of collective effort to commemorate the victims of deportation.

The significance of 17 September and political context

The choice of 17 September for the unveiling of the memorial carries deep symbolic significance. On this day in 1939, the Red Army crossed Poland's eastern border, beginning Soviet aggression as part of the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact. The same event is remembered in the calendar of Siberian exiles as the beginning of mass deportations of Poles. The memorial in Sieradz connects local and nationwide memory of the victims of Russian imperialism.

Location and nearby memorials

The memorial stands at the intersection of Rycerska and Żwirki i Wigury streets in central Sieradz, near the 1939 Heroes Memorial and the Memorial to the Memory of Cursed Soldiers of the Sieradz Region. The three memorials create a space of memory dedicated to various dimensions of the Second World War and its aftermath - defence in 1939, armed struggle of the cursed soldiers, and mass deportations to the east. This physical proximity allows visitors to better understand the complexity of Polish experiences in the twentieth century.

Practical information

• Address: Intersection of Rycerska and Żwirki i Wigury streets, 98-200 Sieradz
• Opening hours: The memorial is accessible 24/7 as a monument in a public space
• Getting there: Central Sieradz, at the intersection of main streets, well served by public transport, near Secondary School No. 2
• Context: place of remembrance for the Siberian deportations of Poles from the Sieradz region, the unveiling date coincides with World Day of Remembrance of Siberian Exiles, a day of remembrance observed annually on 17 September
• Vicinity: Two other memorials dedicated to the Second World War and the struggle for independence are located nearby