On the 80th anniversary of the tragic execution of the Ulma family by Nazi forces, President Andrzej Duda led a commemoration in Markowa, honoring their legacy of heroism and sacrifice. The Ulma family’s story, a poignant testament to the human capacity for kindness in the face of unimaginable evil, remains a beacon of hope and bravery.
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On March 24, 1944, Józef and Wiktoria Ulma, along with their six children and the eight Jewish individuals they were hiding, were brutally murdered in their home by German soldiers. This act of barbarity was a grim reminder of the dangers faced by those who dared to defy the Nazi regime by extending a helping hand to their persecuted neighbors.
The Ulma family, although not widely known, played a significant role in the resistance movement against the Nazi regime during World War II. Located in the small village of Markowa in southeastern Poland, the Ulma family’s actions epitomize the quiet, yet profound, bravery exhibited by ordinary citizens across Europe. The family, led by Józef and Wiktoria Ulma and their six children, made the courageous decision to hide their Jewish neighbors, providing them shelter and protection at great personal risk. This act of defiance against the Nazis’ genocidal policies was emblematic of the moral fortitude and humanity that persisted in the face of widespread atrocities.
On the morning of March 24, 1944, their act of heroism came to a tragic end when German police discovered the Jewish individuals hidden by the Ulma family. In a brutal act of reprisal, the Nazis executed Józef and Wiktoria, who was pregnant at the time, along with their six children and the eight Jewish individuals they were hiding. This massacre underscored the lethal consequences faced by those who dared to resist the Nazi regime. Yet, the story of the Ulma family serves as a poignant reminder of the indomitable spirit of resistance among ordinary people, who, in the darkest of times, chose compassion over indifference, and courage over fear.
The Ulmas’ sacrifice was not in vain. Recognized posthumously as “Righteous Among the Nations” by Yad Vashem in 1995 and beatified by Pope Francis in 2023, the Ulma family has been enshrined in history as exemplars of courage, compassion, and unwavering moral conviction.
Poland stands out in the historical narrative of World War II for its significant contributions to the rescue of Jews from Nazi persecution, a testament to which is the fact that Polish citizens have been awarded the most titles of Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. This prestigious recognition is bestowed upon non-Jewish individuals who risked their lives to save Jews from the Holocaust, and it underscores the unparalleled bravery and compassion exhibited by the Polish people during one of history’s darkest epochs. Despite facing the harshest penalties, including the threat of death for themselves and their families, a remarkable number of Poles demonstrated extraordinary courage and humanity, hiding and protecting their Jewish neighbors from extermination. Their acts of moral fortitude shine as beacons of hope and solidarity, illustrating the profound impact of collective empathy and courage in confronting the utmost evil.
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In his address, President Duda emphasized the Ulma family’s role as symbols of the highest human virtues. “Their sacrifice is a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who, in the darkest times, chose to do what was right, regardless of the personal cost,” Duda stated, highlighting the importance of remembering and honoring such heroes.
“”Even though helping Jews in occupied Poland was punishable by death, as nowhere else in Western Europe in countries occupied by fascist Germany, there were about a million Poles who helped their Jewish fellow citizens in various ways, often whole chains of people acted to save one person,” he added.
The Rzeszów-Jasionka airport was named after the Ulma Family during the ceremony attended by President Andrzej Duda. As he said, “from the historical point of view and mentality of people living in the Subcarpathian region, there are no more important figures than the blessed Ulma family”.
He thanked the authorities of the Subcarpathian Voivodeship and the Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport for the initiative of naming the airport after the Ulma Family, emphasizing the specificity of this place. Since the Russian aggression against Ukraine, this airport in Jasionka has become a center of support for Ukraine in all possible ways; both military support, humanitarian support, and also political support, because this is where politicians from all over the world come and then continue their journey towards Kyiv. This is a place that today is a place that is really known in the world,” he said.
The Ulma family’s story transcends national boundaries, serving as a powerful reminder of the impact individual actions can have in challenging times. It underscores the importance of solidarity, bravery, and the protection of human dignity against the forces of hatred and tyranny.
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