In Hrodna, the former political prisoner met with elderly women who brought him parcels when he was in prison. They hugged him and cried.
Andrzej Poczobut's visit to Belarus is going smoothly; he is returning to Poland on Tuesday, said Anzhelika Borys, head of the Union of Poles in Belarus, writes Polskie Radio.
— Poles are very grateful to him for what he has done for them. Andrzej will be our voice in Poland, — she added.
The ex-political prisoner has been in Belarus since last Tuesday.
— We have already visited Hrodna, Hrodna region, and Minsk. Andrzej visited activists of the Union of Poles in Belarus and memorial sites, including the graves of Polish soldiers from September 1939 in Sapotskin.
On Monday, we visited Vawkavysk and Kobryn. We will also be in Baranavichy, — said Anzhelika Borys, who is accompanying Poczobut on his trip across Belarus. — We are very glad that Andrzej came to us, — she added.
She emphasized that meetings with activists of the Union of Poles in Belarus are extremely important for the morale of the organization, and in a "human" sense, they are also very touching.
— Our people were deeply affected when Andrzej was imprisoned. They are very grateful that he visited them despite everything, and that he could see firsthand how the union works. So far, thank God, the visit is proceeding peacefully, — she reported, noting that Poczobut was warmly received everywhere as a compatriot and a hero.
Andrzej met with his family, including his father, as well as with friends and former political prisoners (for example, with Dr. Andrei Liubetski, who was held in an adjacent cell of the Zhodzina pre-trial detention center, where Poczobut was transferred after his arrest in May 2021).
During his trip across the Hrodna region, Poczobut paid tribute to fallen Poles at monuments and memorial sites. In Hrodna, he visited, among other things, the monument to Eliza Orzeszkowa.
— Today I paid tribute to Ms. Eliza, who endured many historical upheavals in Hrodna. This monument, erected in 1929, is one of the symbols of our city for me, — he wrote on Facebook.
Poczobut also visited Aziory, among other places, where participants of the 1863 Uprising were buried. He also visited the cemetery in Ivanets, where the grave of Kazimierz and Łucja Dzierżyński is located, who worked in the intelligence of the Home Army (Armia Krajowa) during World War II.
— This is the only case known to me where the KGB looks after the grave of the Union of Armed Struggle — Home Army (ZWZ-AK). It's about the grave of Kazimierz and Łucja Dzierżyński. Kazimierz is Feliks's brother, — he reported.
Poczobut visited the office of the Union of Poles in Hrodna, which was banned by the Belarusian authorities.
— Andrzej is one of the leaders of the Union of Poles (SPB) and has dedicated many years to the union, so it is important for all members that he could be with us. I think his visit was of great significance not only for activists but also for all Poles living in Belarus, — explained Anzhelika Borys.
When asked about the most touching moment of the trip, she replied that it was "a meeting with elderly women who brought him parcels when he was in prison."
— They hugged him and cried, — said Borys.
The leader of the Union of Poles said that during meetings with Poles, "Poles most often ask Andrzej how he endured everything."
— When he was walking through a square in Minsk a few days ago, strangers approached him and greeted him in Polish. Poles know that he dedicated a significant part of his life to the Polish cause, and they are grateful for it, — she emphasized.
When asked what the Union of Poles expects from Poczobut, who is a member of the Consultative Council of the Polish Diaspora to the Speaker of the Polish Senate, she replied that everyone sees him as a unique link between Belarusian Poles and Poland.
— We realize that Andrzej will be our voice in Poland, — she said.
Borys emphasized that Poczobut strongly wishes for children of Belarusian Poles to continue learning the Polish language to maintain a connection with their homeland.
— Unfortunately, he didn't have time to meet with children at school, as the academic year in our Polish educational centers only starts today, and Andrzej is leaving for Poland on Tuesday, — she said.
After returning to Poland, Poczobut will fly to the USA and Canada, where meetings with government officials and Polish activists are planned.
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