IPN Deputy President Prof. Karol Polejowski accompanied by representatives of the Institute of National Remembrance traveled to Italy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Bologna by the 2nd Polish Corps. The visit was also an opportunity to pay tribute to the soldiers who fought for Bologna during World War II, and to recall their contribution to the city's history.

The celebrations began in the city of Imola. In April 1945, it was on the axis of the 2nd Polish Corps' main advance on Bologna. Thanks to a combined maneuver of the 4th Volhynian Infantry Brigade and the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Brigade, the Carpathians took over Imola on 14 April 1945. At the entrance to the city is a monument dedicated to the soldiers of the 2nd Polish Corps, unveiled on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the city.

The Deputy President of the IPN, Prof. Karol Polejowski, the Director of the Office of International Cooperation Agnieszka Jędrzak and the Director of the Office for Commemorating the Struggle and Martyrdom Adam Siwek laid flowers at the monument to General Władysław Anders, which was unveiled in 2021 on the 80th anniversary of the formation of Anders’ Army.

Another highlight of the program was a visit to Castel San Pietro Terme, where Prof. Karol Polejowski laid wreaths at monuments commemorating Polish soldiers who fought for the town. The town was liberated on 17 April by General Klemens Rudnicki's “RUD” grouping, as part of the offensive on Bologna.

Prof. Karol Polejowski spoke at the ceremony in the town of Castenaso:

- The history of the Poles' struggle for independence and sovereignty was often intertwined with Italy’s history. It can be said that Polish roads to freedom led through Italy.

He recalled that one of the most important chapters in the common history of Poland and Italy was the combat trail of the 2nd Polish Corps under the command of General Władysław Anders. In 1944-1945, the soldiers of this formation traveled across the country, fighting not only for Poland's freedom, but also supporting the Italians in their quest to regain their independence.

Although formally Poland and Italy were on opposite sides of the conflict, there was no hostility between the soldiers and the Italian population. On the contrary, the Poles gained a reputation as liberators.

- The price of freedom was high. The total losses of the 2nd Corps during the Italian campaign amounted to about 11,400 soldiers. Almost 4,000 fallen Polish soldiers rest at  four Polish war cemeteries in Italy - Casamassima, Monte Cassino, Loreto and Bologna. Italy is full of Polish memorials, which are surrounded by respect and care – said Prof. Polejowski.

During the event, Prof. Polejowski, together with Castenaso Mayor Carlo Gubellini, Head of the Office for Veterans and Victims of Repression Lech Parell, Polish Consul General in Milan Agnieszka Gloria Kamińska and a representative of the Carpathian Lancers Association Andrzej Furman, unveiled a plaque commemorating the soldiers of the Carpathian Lancers Regiment of the 2nd Polish Corps who took part in the liberation of Bologna from German occupation. The plaque, funded by the Institute of National Remembrance, is located on one of the walls of the city hall.

- It is our duty to preserve the memory of all the heroic soldiers of General Anders, who were not given the opportunity to bring freedom to their homeland. Few lived to see the fall of the communist regime and the rebirth of a free Poland. Today we hand over to our Italian hosts a plaque - a sign of remembrance of the soldiers of the Carpathian Lancers Regiment, who liberated Castenaso during the Battle of Bologna– said Prof. Polejowski.

At the end of the ceremony, Deputy President Polejowski awarded the “Carpathian Lancer” Association with IPN “Reipublicae Memoriae Meritum” gold medal.

The first day of the IPN delegation ended with the presentation of the book “In guerra per la pace” by Paolo Morawski and the screening of the film “Polish Odyssey” at the Cinemoteca “Modernissimo” in Bologna.