WWorkshops based on a role-playing game about the fate of children during World War II in Poland. Participants draw a school ID card for one of the characters and, like a detective, gradually uncover the fate of their peer using various sources of information. The game's characters represent the true stories of Polish citizens of various nationalities and social groups during World War II.
Date: October 15, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM; 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

FOR TEACHERS
My Peer
Workshops presenting the IPN educational material "My Peer. The Fate of Polish Citizens during World War II." This tool is intended for history teachers, helpful in discussing the fate of children representing various nationalities and social groups in Poland between 1939 and 1945. During the workshop, participants will learn how to work with the material in class and receive a free copy of the publication.
Date: October 16, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

 

The aim of the workshop is to identify the victims of the Katyn Massacre based on photographs of objects recovered from the death pits, the originals of which are in the collections of the Katyn Museum. The workshop aims not only to present the circumstances of the crime itself but also to commemorate the victims and familiarize students with the specific work of historians.
Date: October 15, 9:00-10:00 AM.; 10:15-11:15 AM.
Date: October 16, 9:00-10:00 AM.; 10:15-11:15 AM..

"The Story of Wojtek the Bear" is a play about a brown bear adopted by soldiers from the 2nd Polish Corps, commanded by General Władysław Anders. While following this fascinating story, children will learn about Poles displaced from Soviet-occupied territories, and then their long journey from Russia, through Iran, Palestine, Egypt, and Italy, to Scotland. Wojtek traveled this path alongside the soldiers. A performance intended for children [aged 6-9].

The performance "Resistance. Stubbornness. Solidarity" is a story about the Poles' path to freedom shown from the perspective of young heroes of the 1980s. The event is aimed at young people [over 13 years of age].

Using multimedia, these workshops will present the story of General Anders' soldiers – their wartime journey, culminating in their participation in the Battle of Monte Cassino in May 1944. As part of the workshops, students will be asked to complete a worksheet!
Date: October 16, 9:00-10:00 AM.; 10:15-11:15 AM.

Workshops based on individual work by participants. Students encrypt digital messages, which are then decrypted by their opponent. Work is conducted in teams of two. The workshop is accompanied by an exhibition about Lieutenant Jan Kowalewski, the famous Polish Army officer who was the first to break Bolshevik ciphers in mid-1919.
Date: October 15th, 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

Educational film workshops focusing on documentaries based on eyewitness accounts. The workshop will include workshops on creating interviews with eyewitnesses and a film screening. We will discuss how to engage with people who share their memories. We will also present the process of producing films based on documents and modern technological resources.
Dates: October 15, 9:00-10:00 AM.; 10:15-11:15 AM.

How to engage youngsters in history? During the Congress of National Future, primary and secondary school students will have the opportunity to learn about 20th-century Polish history in an active, emotional, and engaging way. As part of the "Workshops for Students" block, we've prepared activities that allow students to empathize with the lives of their peers from decades past. More „Mój rówieśnik” – warsztaty, w których uczniowie poznają codzienność młodych ludzi z czasów wojny i okupacji, stając przed podobnymi wyborami, jak ich ówcześni rówieśnicy,
„Śledztwo Katyńskie” – zajęcia detektywistyczne oparte na autentycznych materiałach, które uczą krytycznego myślenia i szacunku dla ofiar Zbrodni Katyńskiej.
Szczególną atrakcją będzie także teatr edukacyjny, który wciąga młodych widzów w opowieść poprzez ruch, obraz i emocje. Na scenie zobaczymy dwa spektakle:
„Miś Wojtek” – historię niezwykłego niedźwiedzia-żołnierza, symbolu przyjaźni i losu polskich żołnierzy na szlaku Armii Andersa,
„Solidarność” – opowieść o drodze Polaków do wolności ukazaną z perspektywy młodych bohaterów lat osiemdziesiątych.

Podczas Kongresu nie zabraknie także miejsca na gry historyczne – planszowe, wielkoformatowe i cyfrowe. Uczestnicy zmierzą się m.in. w takich tytułach jak „303”, „Bitwa Warszawska”, „W obronie Lwowa” czy „Cichociemni. Spadochroniarze AK”, a także będą mogli spróbować nowoczesnych symulacji multimedialnych przygotowanych przez IPN. To okazja, by przekonać się, że historia to nie tylko daty i fakty, ale pasjonująca przygoda, którą można przeżyć na wiele sposobów.

Dzięki warsztatom, spektaklom i grom dzieci i młodzież odkryją, że przeszłość nie jest zamkniętą opowieścią, lecz inspiracją, która uczy odwagi, solidarności i odpowiedzialności za przyszłość. Less

"Game of Ciphers" is a cross-platform educational project developed as a short point-and-click game consisting of four missions. It describes the course of the Polish-Soviet War and the influence of Polish cryptology on its victorious conclusion. The world premiere of "Game of Ciphers" took place in late April 2022 at PAX East in Boston – one of the largest gaming trade shows in the world. To date, it has been played by 300,000 people, of which 118,000 have already downloaded it from the Steam platform. "Game of Ciphers" has been added to the core curriculum by the Ministry of Education and Science.

Participants will discover the history of the Polish Air Force during World War II in the educational gaming project "Aviators - War in the Skies".

As squad leaders, users will lead their team through the 63 days of the Warsaw Uprising in the game "Warsaw Rising".

 

Through the "Trails of Hope: Odyssey of Freedom" project, the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) is pursuing its mission of disseminating knowledge about Polish history and fostering patriotic attitudes, particularly in the context of the Poles' struggle for independence in the 20th century. The project implements the principles of historical policy, which aims to revive the memory of the heroism, sacrifice, and fate of Polish soldiers and civilians fighting for freedom on all fronts of World War II.

The exhibition has been prepared as a multimedia installation. Its central element is a 17-meter-long panoramic screen displaying animations based on colorized photographs obtained from archives around the world. The exhibition is complemented by texts and quotes highlighting not only ordinary soldiers who won victories at Narvik, Tobruk, Monte Cassino, Ancona, Bologna, and the Battle of Britain, but also outstanding commanders such as General Władysław Anders, General Stanisław Maczek, and General Stanisław Sosabowski.

"From Four Cultures to Monoculture: A Timeline of Łódź 1939–1989"

The exhibition presents a timeline of the city's history during the reign of two totalitarian systems: Nazism and Communism. Each panel covers a single year, beginning with the September Campaign and the invasion of German troops in 1939, and concluding with the elections to the Contract Sejm and the explosion of private trade in 1989, highlighting the most important political, economic, and cultural events.

Considerable attention was paid to the social and demographic changes that occurred in the city during this half-century.

The authors, members of the Łódź Institute of National Remembrance's education department, recalled or brought to light many important figures and events, absent or rarely present in the historical consciousness of Łódź residents, for example, concerning strikes and demonstrations, the history of the Church and the opposition (including repression), major disasters, and the most serious criminal crimes. They found many interesting new photos illustrating the events described.

"Jarocin Through the Lens of the Security Service"

The exhibition was prepared by historians from the Łódź Branch of the Institute of National Remembrance, based on operational materials from the security service concerning the Jarocin rock festival.

The exhibition's authors presented the scope of surveillance and the specifics of SB sources, but also presented the problem within a broader social context, reaching out to musicians, festival organizers, and decision-makers at the time. The exhibition describes the musicians' struggles with censorship, their stance on the changes in the country, their attitudes towards politics and the reality of the Polish People's Republic, city life during the festival, and the events on stage. The exhibition features photographs from the IPN collections, with preserved original captions from SB officers, and photographs by Łódź photographer Tomasz Barasiński.

"Children from Przemysłowa" – a German camp in Łódź (1942–1945)

The exhibition, prepared by the Institute of National Remembrance's National Education Office in Łódź, commemorates the Polish children who, in December 1942, were sent to the newly opened German labor camp (Polen-Jugendverwahrlager) at 72 Przemysłowa Street in Łódź. Based on trial materials, aerial photographs, and witness testimonies, the appearance of the German concentration camp was recreated. Its layout, the shape of the buildings, and barracks were reproduced, and prisoner testimonies were added and linked to the correct location. Visualizing the camp facilities allows viewers to better understand the nature of this facility, explore its history, and popularize the issue of the martyrdom of Polish children during World War II.

Gdańsk destroyed – Gdańsk reborn

The exhibition presents objects inextricably linked to Gdańsk's period of greatest glory, when it remained within the borders of the First Polish Republic, including the Main Town Hall, Artus Court, the Great Armoury, and the Green Gate. Monuments absolutely unique on a global scale are also on display, such as the Great Mill, St. Mary's Basilica, and the Crane Gate. Destroyed, burned, and plundered as a result of the struggle between two totalitarian powers – German and Soviet – the city was largely rebuilt by Poles. Despite the difficult post-war conditions, the idea of ​​"de-Prussianizing" everything, and the plans to liquidate the patrician, bourgeois city center, the spirit of the "Aureae Portae" site and the jewel in the Crown of the Republic of Poland were partially recreated and partially recreated. The exhibition was created using unique 3D technology. In the photos, we can see changing images of Gdańsk destroyed after the war and compare them to what these buildings look like today.

During the Congress of National Future, participants will be able to explore exhibitions prepared by the Institute of National Remembrance. This is a unique opportunity to journey through various stages of Poland's recent history and view them from the perspective of both major events and the fates of ordinary people. Display boards and multimedia materials will feature both well-known facts and less obvious episodes from the past.
Each exhibition transports the viewer to a different world and allows for a deeper understanding of the complex experiences that shaped the history of our country.

In the archive zone, visitors will be able to learn "What the IPN Archives Hide." To this end, we will be showcasing the exhibition "History and Files." From the IPN Archives in Łódź, we will present the most interesting archival materials and artifacts acquired as part of the Archive Full of Remembrance project, as well as historical documentaries from the "In the Archives" series, co-produced with TVP3 Łódź. Those interested in expanding their knowledge of the Institute's archival holdings will also have the opportunity to search for information in databases (Archival Inventory, "Digital Archive," straty.pl). In the archive zone, we will also showcase elements of the "Archivist's Workshop," and visitors will have the opportunity to try their hand at organizing, preserving, and digitizing documents.

Is it worthwhile to commemorate figures and events recorded in history today? (...) Is it worthwhile to commemorate figures and events recorded in history today? How are local heroes commemorated in my area? Take on the role of an employee at the Institute of National Remembrance's commemoration office and see how discovering previously unknown or forgotten figures and events helps unite communities around important facts for our country and appreciate places that build identity. At the IPN Office for Commemorating Struggle and Martyrdom stand in Łódź, you can try your hand at creating accurate inscriptions for commemorative plaques, learn about historical events and the symbols associated with them present in our country. You will also learn how you can contribute to finding a hero who distinguished himself in the fight for the freedom of our homeland. We have also prepared puzzle sets, memory games, and competitions to refresh your historical knowledge of the 19th and 20th centuries. You will be able to see the results of our efforts to date. We know how valuable values ​​for young generations, on which it is worth building their future, are: the memory of heroes, respect for their sacrifice and life.

The Education Zone is a space full of activities for anyone interested in Poland's recent history. Visitors will find attractions at over a dozen stands dedicated to discovering the most important events in the history of Gdańsk, Łódź, Poznań, and Silesia. There will be opportunities to play board games, an indoor version of a city game, and a specially developed spatial tabletop game, "History on Łódź Trails," based on a map and archival photos. Visitors to the Education Zone will learn how to create moving cards, stop-motion animations, and comics, or how to assemble armored vehicle models. They will learn methods for searching for underwater war wrecks or test their encryption skills. Activities on Polish national symbols are available for younger students.

If you want to feel like a detective and discover German or communist crime scenes, visit the booth of the Institute of National Remembrance's Office of Search and Identification. You'll learn the secrets of an archaeologist's work. In a specially arranged search area, you'll be able to find objects that will help identify the victims you're looking for. You'll learn about the complex process of selecting search locations based on archival documents, aerial and satellite images. A conversation with an anthropologist will introduce you to the specifics of their work, from the crime scene to the arduous laboratory work where genetic identification of crime victims is performed.

Game enthusiasts are invited to try their hand at IPN board games. Some will be available in video format, and some in "analog" format. Those interested can expect "Battle of Warsaw," a fast-paced war game depicting the most important battle of the Polish-Bolshevik War of 1920. The aviation games "303rd Battle of Britain," "111th Alarm for Warsaw," and "7th Defense of Lviv" offer competition set in three different armed conflicts. For the youngest players, we'll offer the game "Wojtek the Bear." They'll be tasked with collecting the largest possible set of items related to the history of the 2nd Polish Corps. "ZnajZnak" is a competition referencing the symbols of the years 1918-1989. "ORP Orzeł" is a game about a ship's escape from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea in the first weeks of World War II. In the game "Cichociemni" participants will have the opportunity to take on the roles of specially trained soldiers and officers of the Polish Armed Forces in the West. 
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We invite you to visit the booth of the Institute of National Education's Office dedicated to the "Strong with Poland!" National Educational Competition. This unique initiative aims to encourage young people to discover Poland's recent history, build pride in their national heritage, and shape civic and patriotic attitudes.
At the booth, you will be able to obtain detailed information about the competition, speak with the organizers, and learn how to participate in its second edition. Registration and information materials will also be available. Multimedia materials related to the competition will be presented on a large screen, including reports from the winners of the first edition's educational trip to Warsaw and a report from the Grand Finale Gala.
The "Strong with Poland!" booth is an excellent opportunity to discover that history can be a fascinating adventure and an inspiration for creative action.

Education more...

During the Congress of National Future, participants will be able to visit the Institute of National Remembrance's booth, which offers a wide range of publications. Promotional prices will include albums, new releases, publications from the IPN's Łódź Branch, comics for young people, and educational games that provide an engaging introduction to Polish history.

The Cross of Freedom and Solidarity is a sign of the Polish state's gratitude to those who, through their struggles with the communist system in the years 1956–1989, contributed to Poland regaining its independence after half a century of enslavement and dependence on the Soviet Union. 

This honorary distinction is awarded annually to institutions, organizations, and individuals who have made exceptional contributions to commemorating the history of the Polish Nation and who support the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) in its statutory educational, scientific, and publishing activities in specific regions of the country. The award is granted to Polish citizens and non-Polish citizens. It may also be awarded posthumously. The award is granted by a committee chaired by the President of the Institute of National Remembrance.

The Grażyna Langowska Award – an outstanding teacher, activist of the NSZZ "Solidarity" trade union, and Member of the Polish Parliament – ​​has been awarded since 2024 by two entities: the Institute of National Remembrance and the "Wspólnota Polska" Association. The award is presented in two categories:

• Teacher and Educator:
  – promoting patriotic attitudes among the young generation in Poland and abroad, sponsored by: IPN Headquarters (IPN Headquarters Award),
  – regional, promoting patriotic attitudes among the young generation within a given IPN branch, sponsored by: IPN branches/IPN delegations (IPN Regional Award)
• Teacher and Educator, as well as Polish community institutions working to preserve the Polish language, culture, history, and heritage abroad, sponsored by: "Wspólnota Polska" Association.

During the Congress of National Future, participants will be able to visit the Institute of National Remembrance's booth, which offers a wide selection of publications. Albums, new releases, publications from the Łódź Branch of the Institute of National Remembrance, comics for young people, and educational games that offer an engaging insight into Polish history will be available at promotional prices. The Congress will also be accompanied by special events. The program includes: the awarding of the Crosses of Freedom and Solidarity, combined with a concert by the Warsaw Sentimental Orchestra accompanied by the Łódź Film Orchestra, and the "Witness of History" honorary award gala, which will feature a musical performance by the Pospieszalski Family.

These elements complement the rich program of the Congress, combining reflection on history with exceptional artistic and cultural experiences.