Ms Paulina Gedlek from Poland is registered as

16000 th petitioner.
Congratulation!

Congratulation to All of You!

 

Our Opinion (11.11.2008) Who made money off the  granite headstones of the graves? The tombs of Count Wladyslaw Plater, his wife Karolina and Henryk Bukowski who no longer exist. At the same time as the authorities in the town of Rapperswil were ordered to seal the entrance of the mausoleum containing urns with the heart of General Tadeusz Kosciuszko, also the tomb of the tombs of Count Wladyslaw Plater "were liquidated" The former inhabitants of Rapperswil say that the bodies were wrapped in three gunny sacks and buried in a common grave, without the presence of a priest. The granite tombstones were used on other tombs and the graves where the bodies rested in oak coffins were filled in. To what extent is this information true? It is difficult to say today. Photos of the graves, taken 63 years ago speak for themselves. We were informed of the widespread practice in Switzerland as permitted by law, which is to allow new burials in graves whose ownership in no longer in existence in order not to enlarge cemetery grounds, the gravestones being sold to be used elsewhere. However in regard to the graves of Plater, his wife, and Henryk Bukowski, there has been no new burials recorded.  What happened with the graves of Plater, his wife and Bukowski demonstrates a premeditated action and, by chance ironically, the graves were located in the canton of St. Gallen. In the canton of Nidwalden, there has been for a very long time, a beautiful custom: next to each tomb there is a small container filled with water. You can soak a branch and consecrate the grave. In this way, visitors highlight the exceptional holiness of this place and bind together symbolically with the person who is no longer with us.   It is a widespread use in Europe to maintain the graves of people whose actions have contributed to the development and enhancement of our civilization. The care of the graves also show respect for those who have left us. By his actions, Plater has contributed not only to the country where he was born but also to Rapperswil where he created the first museum in history in the city of Rapperswil. After the closure of the prison castle, in which prisoners were living in inhumane conditions, the castle was abandoned and fell into disuse and over time became a total loss. Thanks to Plater, his money and many donors from around the world, the castle still exists today. Most people in Rapperswil are aware of these circumstances but do they know that the current authorities of the town of Rapperswil are able to correct the mistakes of their predecessors? Or, are they subject to the influences of the head of the "Group of Three" who, under a semblance of democracy, sees only its own interests. Or, will they stay silent and ignore this case that is not only a matter of the Polish ethnic group but also of all the inhabitants of Rapperswil? On behalf of the Polish government, the new Ambassador to Switzerland, quietly has had discussions with authorities in the town of Rapperswil-Jona and the City. These discussions were conducted without the participation of the Directorate of Museum Rapperswil nor by Friends of the Museum. For what purpose were these discussions held? Could they have been held in order to divide the estate’s museum after its liquidation? And perhaps the Polish government will encourage its Ambassador there to actively and officially restore respect for the ashes of the creator of the museum, with his wife Karolina and Bukowski and to maintain the independence of the Polish museum at the castle of Rapperswil. It appears from documents found in private Swedish archives  that the town of Rapperswil made a proposal to Plater to buy the castle but because of a too high price asked, the Count chose to lease. Today, being able to view the castle from the air, we can better appreciate the amount of money that Plater spent for the reconstruction of only roofs of the Castle not to mention the costs of reconstruction inside. With the exception of the clock tower and the firewatch tower, everything was in ruins. (See: http://www.rapperswil-castle.com/news.php Discovery of the Archives NYT). The fairy story telling of "theft of the Castle by Poles" can be thrown into the trash.  We can do a comparison of money spent, if this is an argument of the Municipality or the "Group of three" that under the smokescreen of exposure, fashioned a false pretext of a better use for the castle, being the liquidation of the Museum. It is high time for the “deciders” to end their “quiet” negotiations and to start the public, constructive talks on the future of the museum in the castle with the participation of all parties concerned. "Workshops" which have no meaning,in our opinion, are used as  smoke screens for unclear concepts and proposals. With great respect for Swiss democracy, we must say: -This is not only your business but also is the business of those who elected you, residents of Rapperswil and the town of Rapperswil-Jona.  - This is not the only interest of the Ambassador of Poland but the interest of Poles who live outside Poland around the world and all people in Poland. - It is our intention that people of goodwill who live in dozens of countries in the civilized world address this  Petition to Retain the Polish Museum in Rapperswil Castle to the Swiss authorities. See below 1945 photo of Plater’s his wife Karolina and Henryk Bukowski original tombs at the castle, in Rapperswil, after the German capitulation. The photo comes from the book Bukowski: konsthandelshus ett i Stockholm 1870-1945 Karl Asplund, Stockholm 1945   Contemporary picture of a part of the saved monument. Where are the graves of Count Plater, his wife and Henrk Bukowski? Where are the three disappeared tombstones, each weighing more than 350 kg and Henryk Bukowski monument? For the last two years the museum was managed by Director Anna Buchmann.  She made renovations to the two remaining sections of the tomb monument.  The cost of the renovation was covered by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland. These two sections were thought to be the actual burial site of Plater, et al. However this is not the case. One wonders why the descendants of the Plater family living in Switzerland, never were concerned about the graves of their ancestors. They have always known that Wladislaw Plater was the founder of the museum and that he had found his last refuge there.    Aerial photo of contemporary castle and its environs published with the agreement of Mr André Locher.http://www.swisscastles.ch The following are listed: 1- instead of the original tomb of Plater, his wife and Bukowski. The tombs were oriented by the old east-west burial tradition. Who disturbed these graves? 2 - at the entrance of the castle Westside the key is only for the restaurant when open for receptions. In the days and hours of the museum, there is no access to the symbolic tomb consisting of two sections of the saved monument.  3 - Old Powder Tower; the entrance to the mausoleum of General Kosciuszko, hero of two nations European and American, was and remains sealed off. 4 - This is the section where Plater has erected a column of Bar after signing the agreement with the town of Rapperswil; 5 - Contemporary location of the column Bar after renovation by the Poles. For several years it had remained overturned in the bushes nearby. 6 - Main entrance to the castle 7 - Clock Tower. 8 - Former Fire Watch Tower 9 - Roof built entirely by Plater. The roof did not exist when Plater took the castle for rent for 99 years, so he decided to change the construction of the castle raised a floor under the roof on the photo mentioned in #9. Under this roof, a concert hall replaces today the vast exhibition hall which existed during his lifetime.

PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING POLISH MUSEUM IN RAPPERSWIL

On June 24, 2008 , at 19.30 o clock (7.30 PM) in the Castle of Raperswil, in the hall (picture attached) constructed by the private funds of the Graff Wladyslaw Plater as well as free Polonians donations - will take place a public debate about the scandalous proposition to remove the Polish Museum from the Castle. At the Graff W. Plater time this hall was called the "Great Exhibition Hall"; these days it is called "the Great Knights Hall", even though the above mentioned tendency has nothing in common with knights and especially with the chivalry. In our opinion the most proper name shall be "the Graff Wladyslaw Plater's Hall".

Response to the hundreds of letters received.

The hundreds of question flow in - why announcing the Public meeting being omitted the organizers…? Now, the organizers of the public discussion on June 24, 2008, at 7.30PM are the city council of Rapperswil. Regretfully we have no idea if the City President will attend. We hope, that the City will be represented by people with authority, whom will be able to respond to many of your questions directed to us. We take this opportunity to thank you for the genuine interest about the Polish Museum; we are equally as you convinced that the meeting will be a constructive one. Of course we are sending our representative to observe development of this event. Then we will report all to you.

DISCOVERED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES ARCHIVE

We found an article in The New York Times archive dated 19 May 1895 about the Polish Rapperswil Museum. Click to Open. Please read this article in PDF format entitled* "POLAND'S ONLY NATIONAL LAND; MUSEUM OF RAPPERSWIL NEAR ZURICH IN SWITZERLAND. Count Ladislas Plater's Gift to His Compatriots -- Andre Bukowski's Collection of Rare Art Objects". The Article speaks about the entire Castle being in total ruin except for two rooms, i.e. the Clock Tower and Watch Tower. It was in this condition when Count Wladyslaw Plater signed the Contract for ninety-nine years. The two rooms mentioned in the Article were occupied by guard-sentries. Could it be that the people of Rapperswil have forgotten that the Castle as it is today was restored and saved by the Polish people? * Requires AcrobatReader

Dr Theodor Curti

A lot of your questions concerns Dr Theodore Curti. We are in the process of preparing more elaborate materials about the activities of this statesman, who at the end of his life was the chief editor of the "Frankfurter Zeitung" (1902-1914). That newspaper was a predecessor of nowadays very popular the "Frankfurter Allgemaine Zeitung" In the process of preparations is also the elaborated part about the history of the Museum - from its beginning to this days. A special emphasis will take place on an involvement of some prominent Rapperswil's families; the most active ones as Hans Rathgeba, Walter or Domeisen family. According to some historical material in our hands - Dr Theodore Curti was never properly recognized by politicians of Raperswill, moreover as the Count Wladyslaw Plater. Perhaps an idea to name one of the City Hall's rooms - Dr Theodore Curti room - or install a commemorative board, honoring above historian, medical doctor, social activist, publisher, politician and former president of the City of Raperswil, who was born in 1848 in Raperswill. With out his good-will and help the idea of Count Wladyslaw Plater's to create the Polish Museum will be unable to materialize. Because of that - in our "Petition" - we put both of them on the same level. (A new - archive - picture of Dr Theodore Curtis can be seen in the part - "photos".)  Below - photos from the Museum's history. The president of the City Rapperswil- Honorable Walter Domeinsen and Polonians Pastoral - Most Reverend Wladyslaw Rubin during the meeting of the Swiss - Polish Friends of the Museum Society in 1977 In June 21, 1975 took place the renewal opening of the Polish Museum. On photo Honorable Hans Ratheb, the City Councilman as well as the well- merited President of the Society of the Friend of the Polish Museum in Rapperswil. In opening speech he underlined that -"it is a day which will be the most beautiful in my life. I am touched that we have had such a numerous gathering". The count Julian Godlewski - benefactor of the Museum on these days. Thanks to him the Museum get a solid financial fdoundation.

Informacja dla Ambasady RP w Szwajcarii
Ambasada RP w Bernie
Elfenstrase 20a
3000 Bern 15
Tel.: 004131-358 02 09

Offener Brief

An den schweizerischen Bundesrat & Herrn Bundesratpräsident
Herrn Pascal Couchepin
Frankfurt/M., den 18. Mai 2008

Thema: Ich bitte den schweizerischen Bundesrat die entsprechende Schritte zu unternehmen, damit das Polnische Museum im Schloß in Rapperswil die weiteren Jahrzehnte arbeiten dort kann. Sehr geehrter Bundesratpräsident, Herr Couchepin, Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, ich erfuhr, daß das Schloß in Rapperswil, der Sitz des Polnischen Museums, einst eine abbruchreife Schloßruine, das im Laufe von 130 Jahren von Polonia und den Schweizern zu einem Prachtschloß umgewandelt wurde (nach 1945 verläuft die Arbeit und im Standhalten des Polnischen Museums ohne einer finanziellen Unterstützung der schweizerischen Behörden jedoch auf der Grundlage des Vertrages mit der Gemeinde und ihres Wohlwollens) und Dank des großen Engagement der schweizerischen Polonia bis heute sehr gut geführt wurde, nun an einen privaten Käufer verkauft werden könnte. Für mich ist leicht vorstellbar, daß bei dem Wechsel des Schloßbesitzers, werden z.B. die Steuern an die kantonale Steuerbehörde des neuen Besitzers/Käufers des Schloßes in Rapperswil deutlich höher liegen als die heutigen Pächter - Polnisches Museum - diese heute zu entrichten verpflichtet sind. Auf diese Weise könnten auch andere Geldbeträge, die mit dem Wechsel des Besitzers zustande kommen würden, der kantonalen Administration extra Quellen der Gelder zur Verfügungen stellen, die womöglich anderen Bereichen des öffentlichen Lebens zu Gute kommen könnten, sei es der Finanzierung der Parkanlagen, der öffentlichen Verkehrsmittel etc. Das Polnische Museum würde in so einem Fall statt eines repräsentativen Schloßes in Rapperswil, kein zweites Schloß als Domizil erhalten, um durch ihre kulturelle Arbeit die Polen und Schweizer nahe einander zu bringen, und gleichzeitig in Erinnerung der Welt aufzubewahren, daß die in der Schweiz internierten polnischen Soldaten im II. Weltkrieg fünf Jahre lang unentgeltlich an diesem Schloß und anderen Bauprojekten ihrer neuen Heimat tätig waren, weil sie genauso wie die Schweizer nicht für den Krieg sondern an der Zukunft im Frieden arbeiten wollten.

Würden die 80% der ausländischen Besucher, die in großen Scharren das Polnische Museum jedes Jahr zu dem am meist besuchten Museums dieser Gegend machen, sich die Mühe machen, so wertvolle Ausstellungen dieses Museums, wie die Polnische Schule der Kunst- und Baudenkmalpflege oder der die Ausstellung von Beständen des Preußischen Museums, unter einer anderen Adresse zu suchen wäre, wenn das Polnische Museum eine abgelegene, nah eines Murmeltierbaus Alpenhütte in Aussicht bekommen würde, die ebenfalls mit höheren Gebühren als ihr früherer Besitzer dafür zahlte, zu haben wäre, damit nach dem Verlauf der nächsten 120 Jahren der sehr kostspieligen für Polonia Selbstfinanzierung des neuen Sitzes des Polnischen Museums, diese Geschichte sich wiederholen könnte? Das ist die Sichtweise des Problems mit den Augen eines EU-Bürgers. Eine gesundere Perspektive dieses Problems könnte der schweizerische Bundesrat realisieren, wo es nicht um den schnellen, heutigen, finanziellen Gewinn für die respektablen Käufer bzw. der Immobilienspekulanten geht, sondern um die Bedeutung der Schweiz im Ausland als ein Land, in dem vom II. Weltkrieg bis heute die Erhaltung der polnischen Kultur im Polnischen Museum auf dem Schloß von Rapperswil für die Bürger von Schweiz und die ausländischen Touristen weiterhin ein Symbol des Respekts der schweizerischen Nation für die Kultur der anderen Völker auf dem Boden von Schweiz zu sehen sein kann. Ich bitte Sie, Herr Bundesratspräsident und den schweizerischen Bundesrat die entsprechende Schritte zu unternehmen, damit das Polnische Museum im Schloß in Rapperswil die weiteren Jahrzehnte arbeiten kann. Im voraus danke ich Ihnen für Ihr wohlwollen gegenüber derm Polnischen Museum in Rapperswil, einem Symbol des gemeinsemen Respekts vor der Kultur der Völker Europas. Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Schriftstellerin, Journalistin, Maria Sulkowska-Kneier D-60316 Frankfurt / Germany*

* Administrator www.rapperswill-castle.com entfernt private Adresse