Two signs and a pump, located in Krakow's Old Town Square are dedicated to the memory of Walenty Badylak. This pump is the third of at least three hand operated water pumps on the Square.
The first sign is affixed to a well and reads:
"Walenty Badylak Born 1904 Died 1980
HERE, ON THE 21ST OF MARCH 1980,
WALENTY BADYLAK (1904-1980), SOLDIER OF
HOME ARMY (AK), COMMITTED A DRAMATIC ACT
OF SELF-IMMOLATION AS A PROTEST AGAINST
DEPRAVATION OF THE YOUNG, DESTRUCTION OF
CRAFTS, AND AGAINST THE CONSPIRATORIAL
SOLENCING (sic) OF THE GENOCIDE OF POLISH
OFFICERS IN KATYN COMMITTED BY
COMMUNIST-BOSHEVIST MURDERERS.
UNABLE TO LIVE IN A LIE,
HE DIED FOR THE TRUTH"
Another granite plaque is embedded in the nearby pavement and reads:
" WALENTY BADYLAK
ZMARL SMIERCIA TRAGICZNA
PRZEZ SAMOSPALENIE
W DNIEU 21.III.1980 R.
CZYNEM SWYM PROTESTUJAC
PRZECIW ZMOWIE MILCZENIA
WOKOL ZBRODNI KATYNSKIEJ
I ZNISZCZENIU RZEMIOSLA.
W 10 ROCZNICE SMIERCI
SPOLECZENSTWO KRAKOWA"
which Google translates as:
"Valentine Badylak
Died tragically
BY self-immolation
ON 21.III.1980 R.
ITS act of protest
Against collusion SILENCE
Around the Katyn massacre
AND DESTROYING crafts.
In the 10 anniversary of his death
SOCIETY OF KRAKOW "
Wikipedia (
visit link)
adds:
"Valentine Badylak (b. 1904, d. 21 March 1980) - soldier AK, a retired Krakow baker who chained himself to the historical chain wells on the Main Market Square, doused himself with gasoline and performed the act of self-immolation. His act was a protest against concealment by the authority of the Katyn massacre.
Information about his death appeared only in the local press, in a very laconic form, reported the death of mentally ill pensioner. Regardless, Cracovians put up at the scene candles and flowers (which at night by unknown assailants took) and sang religious songs.
Even before August 1980 organized activities to commemorate the victims of Valentine Badylak activists undertook opposition circles of Krakow, among others, the Christian Community Working People, the Confederation of Polish Independent and the Student Solidarity Committee.
His act was commemorated in 1990 of the year plaque, which was unveiled grandson of Valentine's Day, Father Wojciech Badylak. In 2004 of the year hydrant was restored. The self-immolation of Badylak Valentine was filmed the movie "Holy Fire"."