We invite you to another Thursday at Tłomackie as part of the series of events accompanying the 78th anniversary of the discovery of the first part of the Ringelblum Archive.
The meeting 'On Non-Standard Commemorations' promises to be an opportunity for reflection on modern forms of preserving historical memory. We have invited four exceptional speakers: Prof. Jacek Leociak, Dariusz Paczkowski, Łukasz Mieszkowski, and Marcin Urbanek, who will share their experiences and thoughts on alternative methods of commemorating the past.
Non-standard commemorations are forms of tribute that go beyond traditional monuments, memorial plaques, or museums. They are artistic and social actions that often engage local communities and emphasize interaction with public space. Through such projects, history becomes more accessible, and its message more emotional and relatable to contemporary audiences.
The meeting will be a space for discussion on the role of art and innovative forms of commemoration in shaping memory and identity.
The meeting will take place on September 19, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the building of the Jewish Historical Institute (Tłomackie Street 3/5) and will be broadcast on the ŻIH Facebook page.
Dariusz Paczkowski, the founder of the 3Fala group, is a pioneer in creating non-standard commemorations. His murals, such as the one near the Anielewicz bunker, not only enliven urban space but also restore memory of key moments and figures in the history of Warsaw. His works combine art with education, thus creating a bridge between the past and the present.
Łukasz Mieszkowski and Marcin Urbanek, inspired by Prof. Jacek Leociak's lecture, designed an extraordinary commemoration at 68 Nowolipki Street, where the first part of the Ringelblum Archive was discovered. In the place where members of the Oneg Szabat group hid the invaluable collection of documents, an innovative structure made of concrete, glass, and light was created. A card from David Graber's will, submerged within it, symbolizes the thousands of documents that were collected and hidden in the Underground Archive of the Warsaw Ghetto. This project is an excellent example of how traditional elements of commemoration can be combined with modern artistic techniques, creating a unique place of memory.
On September 18, 1946, metal boxes containing the first part of the Underground Archive of the Warsaw Ghetto, a unique collection of testimonies, documents, artworks, and photographs from the Warsaw 'closed district,' known in honor of its initiator as the Ringelblum Archive, were retrieved from the basement of a destroyed house at 68 Nowolipki Street. We want to commemorate the 78th anniversary of this event with a week full of meetings, walks, and guided tours dedicated to Emanuel Ringelblum and the Oneg Szabat group.