#MojaPamiątka Action Launched

Let us Create a Great Story about Poland with our Own Little Memories

A photograph, a letter or a pocket watch – each of such objects holds a story enchanted inside it, a personal one and a collective one, too. It is just on their basis that the Polish History Museum wishes to create a unique exhibition as part of a public action titled #MojaPamiątka [My Souvenir]. Individual and family stories are destined to become a treasure trove of knowledge and experiences for successive generations, particularly at this time of a pandemic. Targeting senior citizens, the action was initiated by the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

‘We love you for your experience and practical wisdom that comes with age. You have witnessed on many occasions our struggles with difficulties as a community and as a nation, yet thanks to your work and engagement Poland is now free and beautiful,’ said PM Mateusz Morawiecki to senior citizens during the programme launch. ‘Your individual stories translate into the identity of our nation. That is why I encourage you to take part in the #MojaPamiątka action, which will make it possible to keep these stories for years,’ the Polish PM added.

Look into your drawers and write your memoirs

The action titled #MojaPamiątka targets persons aged 60 and above. Its objective is to create a single great story of 20th-century Poland out of individual memories. The material collected is going to be used at an exhibition delivered by the Polish History Museum in 2021.

The starting point for a story to be spun by senior citizens is a keepsake: an object, a document, or a photograph.

‘Go through your drawers looking for photos documenting your childhood and adult lives, go through the souvenirs and documents you keep and discover your memories. Choose a single object, document, maybe a single photograph or film, and describe the stories behind them,’ says Director of the Polish History Museum Robert Kostro.

#MojaPamiątka. How to participate?

Memories can take various forms. In particular, the organisers are waiting for:

· albums or diaries,

· essays,

· video footage,

· posts or series of posts on blogs or social media channels.

The same goes for topics. The works submitted can focus on any historical period yet the organisers encourage the participants to focus particularly on describing:

· family stories related to the Second World War,

· daily life difficulties in the Polish People’s Republic (particularly during the crisis),

· meeting John Paul II,

· the time of Solidarity and being active in the anti-communist opposition.

The works submitted are going to be showcased at an exhibition by the Polish History Museum planned for 2021.

How and when to deliver your memoirs? Here is the timetable.

Works described as #MojaPamiątka should be sent by 30 June 2020 to the following address: mojapamiatka@muzhp.pl or delivered in their material form to the Polish History Museum, ul. Mokotowska 33/35, 00-560 Warsaw, Poland.

Note: In case of any questions, project coordinators can be contacted at mojapamiatka@muzhp.pl or at (+48) 693606368.

Action timetable:

· 25 April 2020 – project inauguration,

· 30 June 2020 – work submission deadline,

· October 2020 – presentation of the action’s results as well as of selected works and their authors,

· 2021 – an exhibition by the Polish History Museum based on the works entered in the competition.

Who is responsible for the #MojaPamiątka action

The #MojaPamiątka action is organised by the Polish History Museum in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy. The project’s honorary patron is the President of the Council of Ministers Mateusz Morawiecki.

Its media patrons include: Telewizja Polska S.A., Polskie Radio S.A., Rzeczpospolita, Polska Press Grupa, Gość Niedzielny, Super Express, Głos Seniora, and dzieje.pl.

Details and rules of the action are available on the project website: mojapamiatka.muzhp.pl.

The spot about the action #MojaPamiątka is available here: LINK.

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