Victory and Freedom Medal

Helena Kurcyusz (1914-1999), Polish urban architect, painter and cultural animator in post-war Szczecin. During the Second World War, she took part in the defence of Warsaw and was later active in the underground Union of Armed Struggle and the Home Army. In 1942 she was arrested and taken to the concentration camp at Majdanek in Lublin, from where she was transported in 1944 to Ravensbrück and then Neubrandenburg, where she lived to see liberation. For her activities, Kurcyuszowa was awarded numerous high distinctions, including the Victory and Freedom Medal presented here. Established by a decree of the National Council of 26 October 1945, it was to commemorate the victory of the Polish Nation and its allies over Nazi barbarism and the triumph of the idea of democratic freedom. In addition, it was awarded to those who, by their actions or suffering at home or abroad during the period up to 9 May 1945, contributed to this victory and triumph. As with most orders and medals of war, the awarding of the Victory and Freedom Medal was deemed complete on 23 December 1992. Anna Lew-Machniak