On Friday, June 17th 2011, Ludwik Melhorn’s family and friends met at Polish Embassy in Berlin so as to take part in ceremony of honouring Ludwik Melhorn with Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland by Polish president, Bronisław Komorowski.

Ludwik Melhorn’s distinction for oppositional activity in the name of Polish-German agreement at the time of the German Democratic Republic was held on a very symbolic day- June 17th is an anniversary of the workmen’s revolt in GDR from year 1953 and, at the same time, 20th anniversary of concluding “Treaty of Good Neighbourship and Friendly Cooperation” between Poland and Germany. During ceremony, in the name of Heimgard Mehlhorn, family and friends, Stephan Bickhardt expressed gratitude: “He loved Your country and people. Club of Catholic Intellectuals, the Workers’ Defense Committee and "Krzyżowa" Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe- these were essential mottos common for many meetings. Referring to Ludwik’s cogitations we can say that the one who gets to know Poland, will also learn trust- for his/her own future as well.”

After Stephan Bickhardt, president Bronislaw Komorowski delivered a speech. He expressed his great respect for former GDR’s citizens who made an enormous effort to overcome communism and create Polish-German relations. President emphasized their significantly larger courage for Polish-German reconciliation activities in GDR’s conditions than people from FRG or other west countries.

Ludwik Mehlorn was not afraid of this risk because of which he took great consequences. Stephan Bichhardt mentioned: ” Even though Ludwik was oppressed by the Security Service of GDR (operational actions with cryptonym „Mühle“ and „Knacker”),he hadn’t resigned from actions which were to improve Polish-German relations and exchange writings throughout democratic opposition. Ludwik would say: That was a beginning. Today we can be socially active and found organizations such as “Krzyżowa” Foundation.”

Memory of Ludwik Mehlhorn, written by Katarzyna Madon-Mitzner, has been presented in the current issue of „KARTA” magazine. Katarzyna Madon-Mitzner is, together with Ludwik Mehlorn, an author of permanent exhibition in Krzyzowa- “Rejecting a lie. From a history of resistance and antitotalitarian oppostion in XX century. ”

Version written in Polish.

KARTA - wspomnienie o Ludwiku Mehlhornie Katarzyny Madon-Mitzner