Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, who addressed attendees at the opening ceremony, called the occasion a truly extraordinary moment" for Warsaw.
"For decades, we haven’t had a museum dedicated to art built from the ground up," he said.
"We have so much to showcase, as Polish modern art since 1989 is absolutely extraordinary."
Museum director Joanna Mytkowska also expressed her excitement, describing the museum as "a space for the people of Warsaw, where visions of a vibrant, visionary metropolis come to life."
She added, "This is a place to discuss those dreams. Our greatest wish is for this building to become part of Warsaw’s daily life."
The night began with a symbolic parade from the museum’s former location, featuring choral singing and artistic performances, and concluded with immersive sound and multimedia installations, including a sound clock by artist Wojciech Bąkowski and a video work by Agnieszka Polska projected onto the building’s façade.
The event’s Halloween-inspired costumes and surreal balloon displays added a theatrical flair to the festivities.
Designed by New York's Thomas Phifer and Partners, the museum covers nearly 20,000 square meters across six floors, organized around a monumental staircase.
The opening festival, featuring performances, concerts, sound installations, exhibitions and screenings, will continue until November 10, offering art enthusiasts two weeks of celebration dedicated to modern culture.
Admission to the museum’s opening events is free, with many activities accessible without a reservation, though some require tickets.
(ał)