During the solemn National Independence Day ceremonies in Rajsko, a plaque dedicated to the legendary Silent Unseen from Babice was unveiled.
22 years ago, Municipal Middle School No. 1 in Rajsko was named after Major Piotr Szewczyk. A few years ago, as part of education reform, the school was liquidated. In 2020, the items left behind by “Peter”, which were kept there, went to the Remembrance Museum. On behalf of the family, they were donated by the major’s niece, Maria Szewczyk.
A year later, Przemyslaw Dziedzic, director of the Rajsko Elementary School, donated the school’s banner to the museum. Together with the major’s memorabilia, it can be seen in the museum’s permanent exhibition.
In the middle of 2022, the Oświęcim Municipal Council passed a resolution to name the sports hall at the Elementary School in Rajsko after Major Piotr Szewczyk. The ceremonial celebration of the National Independence Day at this facility was an opportunity to once again honour the legendary Silent Unseen from Babice.
In his speech, the head of the Oswiecim municipality Miroslaw Stolarek stressed that the school in Rajsko is famous for its volunteer activities, and this is part of the process of shaping patriotic attitudes.
In turn, Oświęcim District Head Andrzej Skrzypiński, remembering the hero from Babice, encouraged participants in the ceremony to visit the Remembrance Museum and see the exhibition.
Wiktoria Czernicka-Białczyk, the director of the middle school in the year 2000, was unable to come to Rajsko. Her letter to those gathered in the hall was read by deputy school director Marzena Wilk-Grabowska:
“We can ask the question: what role does memory play today? Why proclaim the slogans: pro memoria (for memory) and pro publico bono (for the public good) in an era of degradation of authority, family and social ties? Memory has its source in love, in friendship, and is also the result of blood ties. Preserving it makes sense if the world becomes better because of it.” – wrote Wiktoria Czernicka-Białczyk.
After an artistic program dedicated to the life of Major Piotr Szewczyk, Chairwoman of the Oświęcim Municipality Council Bernardyna Bryzek, Village Head Mirosław Smolarek and Director Przemysław Dziedzic unveiled a commemorative plaque dedicated to the patron of the sports hall. This is the same plaque that was unveiled during the naming of the gymnasium in 2000. It has only changed location. It was moved from the school wall to the wall of the school sports hall.
After 22 years, history has come full circle.
