On January 26, the eve of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the exhibition „SŁAWIK and ANTALL. A Pole and a Hungarian – the Great RIGHTEOUS. HEROES of Three Nations: Poles, Hungarians, Jews“ and the documentary “Life on the Edge. Henryk Sławik – József Antall Senior“ were presented at the Tolerance Center of the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum.

Director Markas Zingeris was the first to say a greeting word

The Director of the museum, Markas Zingeris, was first to address the large audience of Vilnius residents, guests and foreign diplomats, including the Ambassador of the State of Israel, Amir Maimon, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Claire Lawrence, the Ambassador of Ireland, David Noonan, the deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the United States of America, Howard Solomon.

“Sławik and Antall are the heroes of three nations and saints for those whom they saved. These friends, who experienced challenges and dangers, saved thousands of Jews, adults and children, during the years of the Second World War. The orphanage, established by them and named as Camp for Children of Polish Officers, is a phenomenon which amounts to and perhaps even exceeds the heroism of Raoul Wallenberg“, M. Zinger said.

Polish Ambassador Jarosław Czubiński spoke about Polish-Hungarian solidarity

Another greeting word was said by the Polish Ambassador Jarosław Czubiński. According to him, for many years Poland has been promoting positive memory about Polish and Jewish relations, multinational Poland, which existed before the Second World War, intellectual and artistic contribution of Jews to the heritage of Poland and Poles who saved Jews. The diplomat noted that people like Sławik and Antall were undoubtedly the pride of contemporary Poland and Hungary.

Ambassador of Hungary, Zoltán Jancsi, also addressed the audience	Director of the movie and author of the exhibition, Grzegorz Łubczyk

"These types of ties and relationships between Poles and Hungarians have become the cornerstone of the Visegrad Group, which Poland currently leads, holding its presidency”, J. Czubiński said.

The ambassador of Hungary, Zoltán Jancsi, shared his opinion, meanwhile the director of the film and author of the exhibition, Grzegorz Łubczyk, presented the story of Henryk Sławik and József Antall in more detail.

 The exhibition engaged the interest of Vilnius residents, guests and foreign diplomats

„During the Second World War, no one took better care of Poles than Hungarians, who even opened their border. In one of refugee camps, the envoy of Hungary‘s Ministry of Interior, József Antall, met Henryk Sławik. With the help of Antall, Sławik established the Committee for Refugee Affairs and started issuing fake documents under Polish names for Jewish refugees. It was a very well organized conspiracy, since the Germans were so close“, G. Łubczykas told.

The exhibition about Sławik, who did not survive the war, and Antall, whose son later became the Prime Minister of Hungary, will be open to the public at the museum‘s Tolerance Center until February 8.

The event was held at the museum‘s Tolerance Center