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Live, on your phone screen and in video form. At your fingertips.
This innovative initiative consists of three sections. The heart of the project – the avatars – beats at the Central History Point at 107 Marszałkowska Street in Warsaw. This is where you can talk to the Digital Heroes. In addition, after the QR code is scanned, the characters will present themselves on your smartphone in the form of augmented reality (AR) and you will also see them in short videos published on the Institute of National Remembrance’s social media profiles – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Digital Heroes, i.e. Jan Zumbach, Jan Kowalewski and Wojtek the Bear, whom you will meet in the New Technology Zone of the Central History Point are avatars generated on Unreal Engine 5 using a powerful PC unit and displayed on a TV screen. Each of them is a realistic 3D model capable of moving, gesturing, and answering various questions from visitors. The characters’ speech is handled by an original dialogue engine supported by machine learning using 11labs.
Each avatar is based on an artificial intelligence module whose memory has been loaded with historical resources obtained from the archives of the Institute of National Remembrance. Thanks to this, the answers provided will always be true. The project educates through a combination of digital technology and historical education.
A conversation with Jan Zumbach will make learning about the air battles over Europe more interesting, Jan Kowalewski will explain the secrets of cryptography in the Polish-Bolshevik war, and Wojtek the Bear will talk about the Battle of Monte Cassino. The ability to ask questions in real time allows you to deepen your knowledge at your own pace and steer the conversation as you see fit. Each answer from the avatar can lead to another question, and it is up to you to decide when the conversation ends and what topics are discussed.
The figures symbolise courage, patriotism and determination in action. They are role models. Thanks to direct contact with the avatar, you will understand history better, and the values presented will be easily transferred to today’s realities.
An innovative way of teaching through experience.
Meet the Heroes, ask them questions related to their participation in important events in Poland’s modern history and listen to their stories. Come and take advantage of the opportunity to talk to the avatar of your chosen hero. The Digital Heroes are waiting for you in the New Technology Zone of the Central History Point at 107 Marszałkowska Street in Warsaw.
We provide you with a microphone and a keyboard – depending on whether you want to talk by voice or chat. This way you can conduct the conversation according to your preferences in a comfortable and attractive manner.
Simply walk up to the screen where the Hero is presented, reach for the microphone or keyboard and ask the character a question. For example, you can ask Jan Zumbach about his favourite aircraft or the number of enemy units shot down in the Battle of Britain. You will hear the character’s voice from the speaker and the text will be displayed on the screen. It is now your turn – do you want to know more on this topic or do you want to change the subject? If you wish, you can choose a different Hero. I wonder how Wojtek the Bear remembers the Battle of Monte Cassino?
Join us for an immersive history lesson with the Digital Heroes. The lesson is about discovering history on your own through experience. Each Hero response is generated from a knowledge base drawn from the archives of the Institute of National Remembrance. It is an assurance that the information provided is verified and reliable. It is therefore an excellent way to stimulate curiosity about history, develop cause-and-effect thinking skills and build a patriotic attitude. Don’t worry if no questions come to your mind. The Hero himself will tell you what else you can ask him about.
An immersive history lesson at the Central History Point instead of a lesson at school? Educational historical fun during a weekend walk with the family? Find out how effective and enjoyable modern history education can be. Come and ask an inquisitive question of your chosen Hero…. or all Heroes. It is up to you. The Digital Heroes are waiting for you!
Don’t wait and sign up now for a free immersive history lesson at the Central History Point at 107 Marszałkowska Street in Warsaw.
Visit the booking website, choose a date convenient for you and book your visit
Do you want to know the individual character of each Hero? See AR character animations on your phone. Invite the Hero of your choice to come along and see what he really looked like. All you have to do is scan the QR code with your smartphone and select where you want the character to show up. Thanks to this, after a moment the Hero will appear right in front of you.
Jan Zumbach was one of the leading Polish pilots during World War II, fighting in the famous No. 303 Squadron. He was born in 1915 in Ursynów, and his passion for aviation was born after an air show in 1928. Despite his initial career in the infantry, he began training at the Air Force Officer Cadet School in 1936, graduating as a second lieutenant in 1938. Before the outbreak of war, he suffered a car accident which interrupted his service, but after the outbreak of the conflict he managed to make his way to France, and later to the UK where he joined the No. 303 Squadron. During the Battle of Britain, he distinguished himself for his bravery by shooting down at least 13 enemy aircraft. He received numerous decorations, including the Virtuti Militari Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
You will meet Jan Zumbach at the Central History Point. Ask him about his achievements. A conversation with the avatar of this Hero will reveal to you the secrets of World War II aviation.
Jan Kowalewski was a prominent Polish military cryptologist and diplomat who played a key role in the Polish-Bolshevik War. Born in 1892, he initially worked as an engineer, but his cipher-breaking skills led him to work for Polish intelligence during the war in 1920. He became famous for breaking Soviet codes, which allowed Polish troops to anticipate the Bolsheviks’ movements and facilitated victory near Warsaw. After the war, he continued to work in intelligence. He received numerous awards for his services and his contribution to Polish history remains invaluable.
You will meet Jan Kowalewski at the Central History Point. A conversation with this Hero’s avatar will reveal the world of Polish cryptology to you and allow you to explore the secrets of breaking Bolshevik codes.
Wojtek the Bear was a Syrian brown bear who became an extraordinary member of Anders’ Army during World War II. In 1942, while still a small bear, he was purchased by Polish soldiers in Iran and accompanied them on their combat route through the Middle East and Europe. He is best known for his participation in the Battle of Monte Cassino, where he helped carry ammunition crates, which earned him the honorary rank of corporal. After the war, he lived in the Edinburgh Zoo, where he died in 1963.
You will meet Wojtek the Bear at the Central History Point. A conversation with the avatar of this Hero will reveal to you the charming and captivating story of an animal that became a friend of Polish soldiers and accompanied them on the battlefield.
Videos featuring Heroes on social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
See the Heroes on social media. Listen to interesting facts about history and combine duty with pleasure. Immerse yourself in the world of cinematic avatars and discover surprising facts through short films on your favourite social media platforms. Follow the Institute of National Remembrance profiles to gain more knowledge:
Watch all the videos with Digital Heroes on YouTube now
Videos featuring Jan Zumbach
Videos featuring Jan Kowalewski
Videos featuring Wojtek the Bear
See free 3D models of digital Heroes-related items and take a look at all the meticulously rendered details. Thanks to the Sketchfab platform and the 3D models, you can learn even more about historical artifacts, such as details of clothing, equipment and decorations of Polish soldiers. You can zoom in, zoom out and see the 3D models from all sides. See each one and learn through experience. Find out what Polish history will surprise you with.
See the avatars of Krzysztof Wyszkowski and Andrzej Gwiazda created using digital human technology. These digital models fully reflect the entire characters, so that not only their voice, but also their facial expressions, posture and gestures have been captured for future generations.
