Unveiling of the mural. In tribute to the heroes of Monte Cassino

Students and teachers of the 9th High School in Szczecin named after the Heroes of Monte Cassino took part in a ceremony dedicated to the school's patrons. Thursday's ceremony combined the celebration of the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino and the unveiling of a mural dedicated to the soldiers who fought in that battle.

- The 9th High School bears the honorable name of the heroes of Monte Cassino, given in May 1984. Monte Cassino holds a special place in the life of our school community. Every year, the youth of our school visit the Polish war cemetery at the foot of the monastery on Monte Cassino hill, paying tribute to the fallen - said the principal Monika Drozd. - These visits are a moment of reflection and deep emotion for us, when we stand before the graves of those who sacrificed everything for our freedom. When entering our school building, we are greeted by an extraordinary mosaic depicting a battle scene and an inscription. These symbols are not only decorative elements for us, but above all a reminder of the courage and sacrifice of the heroes of Monte Cassino. The banner, the urn with soil from Monte Cassino, the gifts of our patrons, the commemorative plaque, in front of which we pay tribute to those who fought at Monte Cassino and on other fronts of World War II are equally important symbols for our school. Each of these elements carries a history full of emotions, pride and gratitude. This magnificent mural, which we are unveiling today, is another important symbol for the community of the 9th High School. It reminds us all of the heroism of those who fought for Monte Cassino, of their unwavering will to fight and sacrifice. The creation of this mural is not only the culmination of all the activities aimed at commemorating the heroism of those who gave their lives for the freedom of our homeland, but also an expression of our gratitude and respect.

The event was attended by representatives of the City Hall, the Marshal’s Office, the West Pomeranian Voivode Adam Rudawski, representatives of the Institute of National Remembrance and graduates of the school.

The event was a ceremonial assembly with the participation of school students and teaching staff. Selected students read literary works and memories of soldiers from Monte Cassino. The history of the battle was also presented to those gathered at the ceremony. Flowers were also laid under the plaque commemorating the school's patrons.

For the first time, a mural by Piotr Pauk was also officially presented. The mural depicts soldiers fighting at Monte Cassino, done in sepia, in a way that is accessible to the modern viewer. It was financed in its entirety by the Szczecin branch of the Institute of National Remembrance.

- You have here on the mural a piece of Polish history, the history of over a thousand victims who fought so that today we could sing the national anthem, so that today we could go out and have the right to pin these poppies - said the governor Adam Rudawski. - This is the history of the heroes of Monte Cassino, heroes who are engraved in syllables in your school as the name of your school. I want to tell you that I would not like you to be such heroes. My dream is such, and I know that I am not alone here, that you do not have to be such heroes. I would like you to be heroes of your own families, heroes of a happy life, but not war heroes.

Krzysztof Męciński, director of the Szczecin IPN, thanked everyone who participated in creating the mural. He also mentioned the fate of the soldiers at Monte Cassino. He also gave the school principal their archival photograph with the signature of the last uhlan Józef Mularczyk. ©℗

Text and photos by Agata Jankowska