„Solidarity Wrocław” – 30 years later

Workers and students of the then Agricultural Academy (later named University of Environmental and Life Sciences) also marked their presence.

The exhibition tells not only a vivid story of the 10 million people that participated in the social movement, but also of Wrocław, a city, that in the 80s, was one of the most significant locations of the anticommunist resistance.

The exhibition was designed to resemble a street from the 80s and includes exhibits rendering the atmosphere of “Solidarność” beginnings as well as the resistance period from the declaration of martial law to the opposition activities in the following years. ‘Children should be brought here in order to show them the history’ – said Cardinal Henryk Gulbinowicz during the opening ceremony.

The exhibition includes many interesting items, For example, you can take a look at the cult clock from Świdnicka Street, which was a place of meetings, dates and demonstrations. There are also many items portraying normal daily life in the PRL (The People’s Republic of Poland) such as empty shopping shelves and examples of censorship and imprisonment. In the kiosk “Ruch” you will see newspapers reflecting daily life from the 80s. The Small Fiat 126p (model from 1974) packed with suitcases full of cash is emerging from the underground – that is the idea behind presenting the famous story of 80 million PLN that belonged to “Solidarność”. Attentive observers will find a comic book describing the whole story, which is available at the exhibition. In one of the photographs you might recognize internee Janusz Szafrański in a prison cell.

Apart from interesting displays the exhibition also offers a film called “Freedom”. There you can view a 3D film featuring Lech Janerka’s music and see e.g. Jarosław Hyk – student of Agricultural Academy in Wrocław, run over by a truck.

At the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of “Solidarność” on Lower Silesia two members of the Univesity of Environmental and Life Sciences Convent were awarded medals “Zawsze Solidarni” (Always Loyal): Rafał Dutkiewicz – president of Wrocław and Marek Woron – chancellor of BCC lodge in Lower Silesia. The ceremony took place on 28 August in Wrocław Opera House.