THE IDEA OF THE MUZEUM OF POLISH HISTORY

History has played a very special role in the Polish citizenship experience. In the 19th and 20th centuries tales of history were a way for the Polish people to preserve their sense of independence at the times of partitions, occupation by the Nazi Germany or communist governments. Telling stories of the past rulers, their battles or reforms allowed to form one's attitude towards the reality, allowed to become a patriot and a citizen. History provided space for freedom, but also for fighting. We often argued for our current choices wearing historical costumes.

Today, when the independent and democratic Polish state is rooted in the European structures, history is still a vital reference point for our present choices. In creating the Museum of Polish History we are primarily focused on three aspects of our past:

The Polish state came into being by uniting Slav tribes in the 10th century. The most important event to determine the Polish identity was the voluntary baptism and taking on the whole wealth of the Mediterranean culture. Our Slav origins bond us to Eastern Europe, while we are connected with the West through our choice of civilization.

The Polish are always eager to relate to the liberties of the First Republic of Poland. The Republic of Poland (the 16th to 18th centuries) was the Polish and Lithuanian commonwealth, which was governed by the parliament of nobles - the Sejm. In the times of religious wars of the 16th century the Republic of Poland became one of the few countries of religious freedom and the home of emigrants from Western Europe. Poland also hosted the world's largest Jewish community of that time.

The 18th century saw the decline of power of the Republic of Poland. At the same time reforms began to take place which culminated in the Constitution of May 3 1791 - the first modern constitution in Europe.

The reforms came too late, though. Poland was divided between the three powers - Russia, Prussia and Austria. The turn of the 18th century was the period of fighting for national identity in several rebellions against the occupants. The Polish fought for their own freedom, while also taking part in freedom fighting in other countries, just to mention the American Revolution or fighting for the liberation of Hungary.

In September 1939 Poland was the first country to resist the expansionist demands from Nazi Germany. The loss of freedom was the price to pay, as the country was divided again between Hitler and Stalin. Poles were severely repressed. The Nazis murdered Polish and European Jews on Polish land. At the same time Poles were active in their protest against that terror by establishing a resistance movement that was one of the strongest in entire Europe. Polish soldiers fought at every battlefield of WWII, making the fourth largest army of the allied forces.

Our freedom was not returned after the war. The communist government that was imposed by Stalin lasted through to 1989, despite its minor changes. Simultaneously the resistance was growing stronger as well. The greatest achievement in our fight for freedom was the creation of Solidarity and its non-violent struggle between 1980-1989. The struggle ended 20 years ago and largely contributed to bringing down the Soviet empire. One man played a great role in this Polish strife for freedom, while also supporting many other nations in their fight against dictators. It was the Polish Pope – John Paul II.

Polish boundaries changed a lot over the course of history. The old Republic of Poland was the home not only for Poles, but also for Lithuanians, Jews, Germans, Russians, Armenian or even Muslim Tatars. Until the end of the 18th century naming someone „a Pole" could mean one of the three things: 1) an inhabitant of Poland, 2) a member of the noble class (regardless of their ethnic origins) who was entitled to participate in the national government or 3) a speaker of the Polish language, a native Pole. When Poland ceased to exist culture and religion became the main factors of identification. Outstanding writers and artists became teachers and co-founders of the modern nation. A parallel process of shaping modern national identities of Lithuanians, Jews, Ukrainians or Belorussians was also taking place in the territories of the former Republic of Poland. It was not an easy one. Nowadays, living in independent Poland we are witnessing an interesting, yet sometimes difficult process of communication and clarifying relations with our neighbours. The EU membership and friendly relations with neighbouring non-EU countries prompt us to take a look at the historic identity of Poles and our relations with other nationalities of the former Republic of Poland.

Apart from the issues of identity, an important point of focus for visitors will be the experience of being different. History is a journey through time, looking at customs, living conditions, clothes or working tools of our ancestors. The Museum of Polish History will show changes of lifestyles in the past centuries. Clothes, technical devices, design of apartments and equipment or the press are all essential elements of our past, of our becoming Poles, but also a crucial element connecting the history of Poland with that of Europe and the world.

The special meaning of the Museum to the Polish identity as well as its most prestigious location both pose a great challenge for an architect. It is crucial for the building architecture to be serious yet not too pompous, to be modern yet referring to tradition. The Museum will be a place of research and reflections, but also one of cultured entertainment. We would like to draw attention to vital conditions of the location. The building design will have to seriously consider a few important reference points: the neighbourhood of the former royal residence, the Zamek Ujazdowski (Ujazdowski Castle) and the 18th-century Oś Stanisławowska - the composition axis where the castle is put into, the Trakt Królewski (Royal Road) - the most representative and historical passage in Warsaw and finally the Trasa Łazienkowska (to run right underneath the Museum) - an important piece of the communication system, yet a brutal interruption of the city's structure. It is a great challenge to fit the proposed building into the surrounding park area, as is taking the advantage of the attractive location on the embankment, which will make the building both stand out in view from across the river and offer interesting viewing opportunities.