History can be told in many ways. Seemingly ordinary objects can hold memories that instantly transport us back to events 80 years ago. The exhibits in "Realities" showcase 80 items from the time of the Warsaw Uprising.
"Most of these items will be shown to the public for the first time. We selected objects that carry the stories and emotions of people," explains Jan Ołdakowski, director of the Warsaw Uprising Museum.
For the first time, the diary of the famous actress Alina Janowska, discovered only after her death, will be presented.
"Mrs. Alina often visited the museum, but she never mentioned having such a document. It must have been too personal, too intimate," revealed Ołdakowski.
During the Warsaw Uprising, Alina Janowska served as a liaison. In honor of the 80th anniversary of these historic events, the actress's original diary, discovered after her death by her son, the popular poet Michał Zabłocki, will be displayed for the first time.
"Objects are just a pretext to talk about the memories of the insurgents, the residents of Warsaw, and their families. That’s why it was so important for us to group the artifacts according to what they meant to their owners.
Unlocking memories
The paradox of Warsaw is that the keepsakes from the uprising are the things people could take with them when leaving the city. As we know, they could only take a small suitcase, so the value of these items is unique," assessed the director of the Warsaw Uprising Museum.
The exhibition is not only a tribute to the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising but also a summary of the museum’s 20 years of operation.
The selection of exhibits used the concept of Dr. Robert Plutchik's "wheel of emotions" as a key to unlocking the archives for contemporary viewers.
![The exhibition "Realities: 80 Unique Items from the Warsaw Uprising" will be open to visitors with a museum ticket from July 31, 2024, to June 8, 2025.](//static.prsa.pl/images/8caf1ccc-fe9f-4e31-b598-98a84ea76f0d.jpg)
Actor Eryk Kulm, whose grandmother was a combatant in the Warsaw Uprising, extends an invitation to the exhibition.
Source: IAR/The Warsaw Uprising Museum/x.com/@1944pl
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