The project kicked off in Warsaw on Monday, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
The Sparks of Independent Poland tells the story of more than 100 outstanding Poles from various walks of life, according to officials.
The show offers an immersive multimedia experience, including virtual reality films, presented inside two specially designed lorry trailers.
Following Monday’s launch in Warsaw, the show is set to tour the country, starting later this week, the IAR news agency reported.
‘History depicted in an attractive way’
Deputy Prime Minister and Culture Minister Piotr Gliński told reporters: “More than 100 years ago, Poland regained independence after a very difficult period of partitions and tragic uprisings, during which, despite these obstacles, the Polish spirit, national identity and culture endured.”
He added: “In the Sparks of Independent Poland project, launched today, the history of our homeland provides inspiration for a story about the achievements of our compatriots who made Poland famous around the world. It is my hope that thanks to this modern project, focused on dialogue and debate, our youth will become interested in Polish history.”
Gliński told the news conference that the show profiled people who made "world-class contributions" to science, culture, sport or the economy, "earning an indelible place in Polish history, even if some of them remained relatively little known to the wider public."
Gliński thanked everyone who had made the show possible and said he hoped The Sparks of Independent Poland would attract younger audiences "due to its modern format."
He told reporters: “We would especially like to engage in dialogue and conversation with young people, to get them interested in the show’s message. The project includes new VR films, including A Postcard From the Uprising and MS Piłsudski…. This is history depicted in a highly attractive and very ambitious way.”
Gliński also said that the achievements of outstanding Poles, their “extraordinary ambition to be the best in the world” had "made the Polish people a strong nation."
Featuring the likes of scientist and engineer Mieczysław Bekker, social worker Irena Sendler, who rescued Jewish children during World War II, inventor Jan Szczepanik and many more remarkable figures, The Sparks of Independent Poland programme was launched on Monday at the Warsaw Army Garrison Headquarters in the Polish capital's Piłsudskiego Square, the PAP news agency reported.
Nationwide tour
Later this week, the show embarks on a national tour, first stopping in the southeastern city of Przemyśl on Thursday, March 2, before visiting Łańcut and Rzeszów. In all, the programme will reach some 100 cities, towns and villages this year, according to officials.
The aim of the project is to strengthen Poland’s civic community around the values that are central to Polish history and identity, reporters were told.
“Everyone, regardless of their talents, can become a spark of independent Poland and change the world around them,” an official statement for the campaign said.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, gov.pl
