During a press conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Mularczyk noted that substantial losses suffered by Poland during the German invasion and occupation in 1939-1945 also greatly affected the sphere of culture, science, and education. The deputy foreign minister emphasised that Polish cultural and intellectual heritage was destroyed by the aggressor with particular fierceness, with the intention to completely annihilate it.

“This is another proposal by the Government Plenipotentiary for Compensation for Damage Caused by German Aggression and Occupation in 1939-1945, which follows up on the efforts of the Polish government initiated by the preparation of the report on war losses,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and National Heritage Prof. Piotr Gliński during the press conference. He also recalled that the German state has not compensated for these losses in a systemic manner. “Through such actions we wish to add weight to our demands so that the German government is obliged to react to them. Our expectations and actions are based on professional scientific analyses,” he said. The minister pointed out that according to the report on Polish war losses, total losses in the field of culture, art, as well as historic and religious buildings can be estimated at at least PLN 52 billion. He highlighted that these estimates do not include losses as a result of the extermination of Polish elites, cultural figures, artists, and scientists. 

“The German invasion and occupation deprived Poland of a large part of our history and culture, which in turn had a devastating effect on our identity. At the same time, Germany has never assumed full legal liability for the actions of its legal predecessor during this period in Poland’s territory,” stressed Deputy Foreign Minister Arkadiusz Mularczyk. He also added that the Federal Republic of Germany should take systemic actions to return cultural property seized from Poland and currently located on German territory.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mularczyk pointed out the key role of UNESCO in matters relating to the protection of national cultural heritage. It was under the auspices of the Organisation that a number of conventions and guidelines were adopted calling for the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict and preventing their illegal trade. “Having in mind UNESCO’s experience and achievements in the area of protection of cultural heritage, we are counting on good cooperation and constructive support,” he added.  

 

MFA Press Office