HISTHACK 2.0 Finals Have Begun

The nationwide programming competition organized by the Institute of National Remembrance has entered its second—and final—stage. From November 4 to 6, the competition finals will take place, during which 16 teams will face off and compete for incredible prizes. It’s not just a programming marathon—it’s also an adventure, a soft skills training ground, and a bridge between the latest technologies and historical education.

The Hackathon Finals Are Underway

The opening ceremony began at 9:00 a.m. The teams, equipped with the necessary electronics, determination, and a surge of excitement, took their assigned places. As previously announced, the competition tasks were to be revealed on the day the finals began. It was time to inform the teams what challenges awaited them.

The finalists were given sealed envelopes containing the competition tasks. Out of the six proposed challenges, each team must choose one to complete. Switching tasks during the competition is possible, but starting over poses significant risk, so participants must proceed with great caution.

Task Descriptions for the Finalists

What exactly will the finalists be facing? Here is the full list of challenges:

1. “In the Shadow of the Iron Curtain” — Everyday Life in the Polish People’s Republic

More than 30 years have passed since Poland’s political transformation. Create a project that shows what everyday life was like in Poland from 1945 to 1989 and immerses the user in the realities of communist Poland—its restrictions, absurdities, and the everyday ways people coped with reality.

2. “From the Archive of Freedom” – Digital Traces of the Past

The IPN archives contain numerous documents, photographs, and recordings that have never reached a wide audience.
Create a project that restores memory of one chosen aspect of 20th-century Polish history (1917–1989). This may be the reconstructed story of a particular person, place, or event—for example, the fate of a single family during the war or the period of political transformation.

3. Recently, Elon Musk announced the launch of a new knowledge platform—Grokipedia.

Prepare a project that could be presented to him, using petabytes of data gathered in the IPN to fight for historical truth accessible to all—or a new solution based on Polish innovations.

4. In 2026, the city of Gdynia will celebrate the 100th anniversary of receiving city rights.

Prepare a project related to the city’s history, the construction of the port, and the idea that “Gdynia was the window to the world of the Second Polish Republic.” You may cover the entire history of the city, particularly focusing on the years 1926–1989.

5. June 25, 2026 will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1976 workers’ protests.

Create a project that addresses the political and/or social realities of life in 1970s Poland.

6. During World War II, Poland lost many cultural treasures as a result of looting and destruction.

In addition, many historical buildings were destroyed and never rebuilt. Develop a project related to this topic. You may reference the culture of the Second Polish Republic or present the process of searching for lost cultural goods.

Each team selects one task to focus on during the next 16 hours.

Additional Prize Competitions

On the first and third days, additional competitions are planned. These will allow participants not only to win even more prizes but also to take a short break from work.

Three Days of Coding

The IPN Hackathon is a burst of energy merging new technologies with the study of history. The finalists have access to mentor assistance, a relaxation zone, and catering. Anyone wanting to take a break from work can visit the New Technologies Zone, which features games and applications from the New Technology Division, showcased on ORB X gaming capsules and VR stations; the “Digital Heroes” project; and classic pinball machines.

However, the centerpiece of the event remains the work on the project that will be presented to the jury on the third day. It is based on these projects and their presentations that the jury will select the winning teams.

The first day is behind us. From the very start of the finals, you can feel the spirit of healthy competition, teamwork, and the excitement that accompanies intense work. Ahead lie two more thrilling days—Wednesday, devoted entirely to work, and Thursday, filled with project presentations, a second prize competition, and the announcement of results.