Poland to establish its own Embassy of Memory in Moldova
The Mieroszewski Centre took part in the 1st International Historical Film Festival in Mereni, Republic of Moldova. The festival was dedicated to historical memory, identity, and the experiences of the nations of Central and Eastern Europe, bringing together institutions working in the fields of history, education, and memory culture from across the region.
One of the festival's key events was the inauguration of the international Embassies of Memory project. Poland was among the countries invited to become one of its founding participants. During the opening ceremony, representatives of the Mieroszewski Centre officially received a designated plot of land where the Polish Embassy of Memory will be developed in the coming years.
The project envisions the creation of an international memorial complex in Mereni, where each participating country will present its own historical perspective and experiences of the twentieth century. Every partner will develop its own concept for a permanent space of remembrance, whether in the form of an installation, exhibition, or another commemorative project.
As part of the festival programme, the Mieroszewski Centre also presented Katyn, directed by Andrzej Wajda, one of the most important works of Polish cinema devoted to the Katyn Massacre and the fate of the victims' families.
The screening was followed by the panel discussion "Beyond memory: testimonies of families of victims of communist repression," featuring Izabella Sariusz-Skąpska, President of the Federation of Katyn Families, Artur Bilewski, a descendant of a Katyn Massacre victim, Larisa Turea, and Gheorghe Postică.
"Juliusz Mieroszewski once said that politics is 70, perhaps even 80 percent, a conversation about history. That observation is more relevant today than ever. We could take it one step further and say that history has become, to a large extent, a conversation about security. Only societies that are able to recognize falsehood, defend the truth, commemorate the victims, and hold perpetrators accountable can build strong and resilient democracies. That is why events such as the festival in Mereni matter so much. They are not merely cultural events; they are also important steps in strengthening democratic society," said Paulina Baranowska, Deputy Director of the Mieroszewski Centre.
The Mieroszewski Centre's participation in the festival marked the beginning of its long-term involvement in the Embassies of Memory initiative. In the coming months, the Centre will work on the concept for the Polish Embassy of Memory, which will become part of the emerging international memorial complex in Mereni.
Watch the official video from the opening of the Embassies of Memory project and the 1st International Historical Film Festival in Mereni:
