A New IPN Next Stop History Opens in Świdnica – Opening Ceremony Attended by President Dr. Karol Nawrocki
A new IPN Next Stop History has been established at the City Center for Initiative Support in Świdnica. It will host conferences, author meetings, and commemorative events. The opening ceremony took place on September 11th, with Dr. Karol Nawrocki, President of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), in attendance. Additionally, the New Technology Division’s app “Szybowcowa ‘87” was presented during the event.
New Next Stop History Location
The new facility, the fourth of its kind in Lower Silesia and the Opole region, was inaugurated by IPN President Dr. Karol Nawrocki and Świdnica Mayor Beata Moskal-Słaniewska. In his speech, the President emphasized the critical role of the past in shaping the future:
“We all think about the future. It’s there where we wish to take responsibility for civilization, for the world, and for important matters. However, the future is full of uncertainty, with only questions. There is no truth in the future, no fact of the future. In the present, we face noise and clamor; in the future, questions. Only the past contains facts. There are truths we interpret and discuss, but if we speak of truth in both everyday and philosophical terms, it exists solely in the past. Without knowledge of the past, we cannot think properly about the future or plan it well.”
Mayor Moskal-Słaniewska highlighted the importance of modern historical education to engage young people:
“Most of the initiatives prepared by the Institute of National Remembrance are dedicated to young people. Any form of historical education that goes beyond the standard, beyond the textbook pages, is significant in that it brings the given period closer and facilitates learning. It helps understand events that happened long ago. We remember the events of the 1980s as part of our lives, but for young people today, it’s as distant as World War I or the partitions of Poland are for us.”
Highlights of the New IPN Next Stop History Opening
As part of the event, a performance titled “The Story of Wiktoria and Franek” was showcased. The play tells the story of the bravery and determination of Poles in their fight against communism, transporting the audience back to the times of Solidarity and the strikes of August 1980. The narrative is seen through the eyes of 10-year-old Wiktoria from Gdańsk and Franek, who, from the 21st century, finds himself in the midst of these pivotal events. It is an emotional journey through time and a valuable history lesson.
“Szybowcowa ’87” App Presentation
Another highlight of the event was the presentation of the “Szybowcowa ‘87” app. Using VR devices, the app takes users back to the 1980s, placing them in a Polish People’s Republic-era apartment in Wrocław, where underground press was printed. The experience is fully interactive – users can explore the apartment, print press copies themselves, or even eavesdrop on Security Service officers.
The app was demonstrated using a mobile immersive history education crate – a genuine military box containing a powerful desktop computer. These mobile crates ensure high accessibility to the New Technology Division’s projects, enabling presentations anywhere educational sessions, conferences, or events are held.