Joining the centenary celebrations of the end of the World War I, Poland will dedicate this year’s European Heritage Days to freedom, independence, and unity. With the theme Independence for All, the events will commemorate historic people, events, and places that contributed to shaping Poland as a modern European country.

Launched back in March, the 2018 European Heritage Days programme in Poland includes hundreds of exciting experiences and also a new visual identity.

Connecting modern and traditional elements, this year’s visual representation of the events marks the dedication of Poland’s cultural organisations and creative individuals to ensure that heritage values are transferred to as many citizens as possible. As explained by Bartosz Skaldawski, Director of the National Institute for Heritage, the modern visualisation is a way for Poland to communicate the traditional values of cultural heritage using the modern means of communications.

Programme Overview

Speaking at the opening conference that took place in Olesno, the city’s mayor Sylwester Lewicki discussed this year’s theme and the ways it will be reflected through the programme. He pointed out that a lot of emphasis will be put on the involvement of local community and the diversity of age groups that will be invited to participate. Like in previous years, numerous activities will be dedicated to children and young people in an effort to awaken their interest and enthusiasm for heritage.

Almost 500 events are currently listed on the National Institute for Heritage website, where citizens can easily find the information about all the activities near them.

Photo: Bolkow Castle, Source: Pixabay

The events will be held in 16 regions/voivodships of Poland, each of which will introduce the title theme in a unique way. Lower Silesia will present its famous libraries, valleys, and museums, while the Kuyavia-Pomerania region will host a number of interactive events such as a folk concert at the Municipal Cultural Center in Aleksandrów Kujawski and a Fashion and History themed fashion show in Sępólno Krajeńskie.

The programme also includes a number of history-inspired tours, walks, lectures, and multimedia presentations. In addition to this, the visitors will be able to explore industrial heritage through events such as The Weekend with Industrial Heritage in Piła-Młyn or enjoy nature at an Open Day in the landscape park in Laskowice (Pomerania). Various tournaments, festivals, and feasts will also be a part of the celebrations, enabling the visitors to experience history in a more immediate way. One of the most interesting events of this type will take place in Aleksandrów Kujawski, where various historical events will be staged across the city.

These and many other activities will invite the citizens of Poland to reconnect with their heritage and history, while at the same time having a lot of fun with their family and friends. The celebrations will last for a full week - from 8 to 16 September – which will bring a great number of exploratory opportunities for everyone.

Featured photo: IV Święto Mostu i Żeliwa w Ozimku, Source: Event Page