In 1940, Polish citizens deported from the western territories annexed by the USSR were sent to Minusinsk. Local historians and former deportees testify that the Polish forced settlers who died in Minusinsk hospital were buried in the old town cemetery. The number of Poles buried there has not been established; a few names are known.
In 2005, former deportee Jerzy Lewicki erected a monument in the cemetery in memory of his sister and mother who both died in Minusinsk. The inscription, in Russian and Polish, reads: “To the Polish mothers and children buried here”. Each year commemorative ceremonies are held at the monument on All Souls Day.
The Memorial online database (2025) includes 55,742 victims in the Krasnoyarsk Krai (Region). See Yeniseisk.
Drawing on other sources, however, the database lists more than 12,000 sent to the the Krasnoyarsk Region, some to its camps (1,017), most to its special settlements (11,000).
| Date | Nature of ceremonies | Organiser or responsible person | Participants | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 November
|
All Souls Day
|
Polonia society, Minusinsk
|
Polonia society, Minusinsk
|
annual event
|
| State of burials | Area | Boundaries |
|---|---|---|
|
the graves of Polish deportees have not survived
|
not established
|
not delineated
|
[ Original texts & hyperlinks ]
V. Maistrenko, “All praise to you, Auntie Pronya!” Segodnyashnyaya gazeta, 2 August 2007
“Polonia, The Minusinsk Polish society, is marking its 10th anniversary”, Rodacy [Compatriots], 2009 №3 (48) {in Polish}
“The land of an unforgettable childhood”, Rodacy [Compatriots], 2011 № 4 (57) {in Polish}
“A memorial to Polish mothers and children”, Minusinsk Necropolis website [retrieved, 30 May 2022]
