Commemoration of the 81st Anniversary of the Shoah in Mszana Dolna - day one: "Lost Beauty"

On 20-21.08.2023, ceremonial commemoration of the 81st Anniversary of the Shoah in our town took place. 19.08.1942 is a symbolic date, when the occupants: SS-men from Nowy Sącz, with the cooperation of the mayor Gelb and other volksdeutsche, as well as the Blue Police and the Polish Baudienst, organised and carried out the largest mass execution of people of Jewish origin from Mszana Dolna, the entire municipality, the surrounding villages, as well as displaced persons from several other towns.

In total, Mszana Dolna lost more than a thousand citizens of Jewish origin, almost a quarter of its population.

This year's commemorations were planned over 2 days. During the first, residents and visitors had the opportunity to learn about the lost beauty of Jewish culture.

A Hebrew calligraphy workshop led by Ewa Gordon, probably the best Polish specialist in the subject, was held on the market square. The workshop gained a huge interest and was preceded by an especially interesting lecture. The next event was devoted to learning about the Purim holiday. Urszula Antosz-Rekucka and her daughter Rachela, presented a bilingual presentation about this holiday, special for many reasons. The flavours of Purim were introduced by ladies from the Senior Citizens' Club of Mszana Dolna, who baked several hundred delicious hamantashen - Purim cookies. Hummus in two flavours, crispy bread and challah were also served. The organisers also made sure that drinks, hot and cold, were available. The children present at the workshop acted out Purim roles, donning masks and a royal crown and making grager noises while reading Haman's name from the Book of Esther. A bitter conclusion to the presentation was the reminder that the executioner of Mszana Dolna, the commander of the New Sącz SS, who commanded the execution on 19.08.11942, was called Heinrich Hamann.

The next point was the Jewish dance workshop, amazingly conducted by Ms Marta Piertuszka, one of the best Jewish dance instructors in Poland. Young and old danced to the applause of the gathered audience.

Meanwhile, the scouts of the Hufiec Gorczański of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association (ZHP) conducted an urban geo-localization game about the Jews from Mszana Dolna, thanks to which young people could learn about places, names and events connected with the rich life of the Mszana Jewish community. Hufiec Gorczański was one of the co-organisers of the anniversary celebrations.

The culmination of this day of the celebrations was a concert by the Klezmorim Trio from Kraków, who played and sang, in Polish and Yiddish, well-known Jewish songs. A large part of the concert was dedicated to the legendary bard of Jewish Kazimierz, Mordechai Gebirtig, who was killed in the Kraków ghetto. The band recalled the beautiful songs of this poet-carpenter, including what is perhaps the best known, "Blajb gesund mir, Kroke" - "Farewell to me, Kraków". Naturally, the audience did not let the musicians go without a double encore.

The market square also hosted exhibitors of local flavours, "Zagórzańskie Dziedziny", handicraft artists, and there was also an antique market.

The day ended with a dinner for the descendants and volunteers of Sztetl Mszana Dolna Foundation, during which symbolic thanks from the Foundation were presented to the most deserving people. Among them were the mayor of Mszana Dolna, Anna Pękała, the director of the Municipal Library and district councillor, Agnieszka Orzeł, Scoutmaster Ewa Jasińska, representing Hufiec Gorczański and Anna Sukiennik - a representative of both the Scouts and the Senior Citizens Club, Agnieszka Józefiak-Lewandowska from the Municipal Office Promotion Department, volunteers and benefactors of the Foundation.

The celebrations were organised by the Town of Mszana Dolna and the Sztetl Mszana Dolna Foundation, while the co-organisers were the Hufiec Gorczański ZHP, Zagórzańskie Dziedziny, Klub Senior+ Mszana Dolna, and the Municipal Library in Mszana Dolna.

Co-financed from funds of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage from the Fund for Promotion of Culture, from funds of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage within the framework of the programme EtnoPolska National Centre for Culture. Edition 2023. co-financed by the Jewish Historical Institute Association. Project implemented with the financial support of the Malopolskie Voivodeship. Public task co-financed from the budget of the Limanowa district. Project co-financed by the Dialogue Forum. Funded by the PZU Foundation. The event under the Honorary Patronage of the Mayor of Mszana Dolna, Anna Pękała.

Translation into English was provided by Jakub Antosz-Rekucki and Rachela Antosz-Rekucka. Technical support was provided by Dariusz Ptak with his team and  Municipal Cultural Centre with director Piotr Armatys. A report of the events will be published on the YouTube channel @sztetlmszanadolna