PM grants EUR 23 million to Warsaw Rising Museum
Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, has allocated PLN 100 million (EUR 23 million) for the expansion of the Warsaw Rising Museum.
Tusk announced his decision during the ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising, on August 1.
"We want more and more people to take advantage of this place and the knowledge about the rising in better conditions," he said. " The programme you have ambitiously started, but for which it lacked money, has to be implemented as soon as possible."
Jan Oldakowski, the Warsaw Rising Museum director, said that the plan for the expansion was ready.
"We have been waiting for the funds. The works will start tomorrow," he said, adding that the construction would take around 3.5 years.
The Warsaw Uprising broke out on August 1, 1944, at 5 pm. It was the largest military effort undertaken by underground resistance against Nazi occupation in Europe. Nearly 50,000 insurgents fought for two months in the operation initially planned for a few days. 18,000 died, and 25,000 were injured. The revolt claimed the lives of 180,000 civilians. The Germans expelled the remaining 500,000 inhabitants and razed the city to the ground. (PAP)
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