On the 80th anniversary of the execution of Andrzej Trzebiński, a poet, prose writer, literary critic, and prominent figure of the wartime generation, President Andrzej Duda laid a wreath beneath the memorial plaque on Nowy Świat in Warsaw. Trzebiński was tragically shot in a mass execution by the Germans on November 12, 1943, leaving an indelible mark on Polish literature.
A Life Cut Short
From Radgoszcz to the Underground University
Born on January 27, 1922, in Radgoszcz near Łomża, Trzebiński attended Tadeusz Czacki’s gymnasium and high school in Warsaw before the war. During the German occupation, he continued his education in secret, passing the clandestine high school graduation exam. He later studied at the underground University of Warsaw. Trzebiński was a key figure in the Confederation of the Nation, founder of the Cultural Movement, and organizer of literary meetings in the occupied capital.
Perils of Resistance
Hunted by the Gestapo
From mid-1943, Trzebiński, sought by the Gestapo for his underground activities, frequently changed his whereabouts. Arrested with a false ID in a factory canteen, he was taken to Pawiak and later executed on Nowy Świat at the age of 21, among a group of fellow Poles. The location of his burial remains unknown.
Legacy in Words
Literary Contributions and Unfinished Works
Trzebiński’s legacy comprises articles, literary manifestos, poems, songs, and an unfinished novel, “Kwiaty z drzew zakazanych” (Flowers from Forbidden Trees). His wartime diary, considered one of the most significant testimonies of the German occupation, stands as a poignant reminder of his enduring literary impact.
A Martyr’s Imprint
Paying Tribute to a Literary Icon
As we commemorate Andrzej Trzebiński’s 80th anniversary, his contributions to Polish literature and the sacrifice he made for his convictions are immortalized. The wreath-laying ceremony serves as a solemn tribute to a literary icon who, at the young age of 21, left an indelible mark on the cultural resilience of Poland.