The First Day of the National Future Congress is Behind Us
On October 15, the National Future Congress, organized by the Łódź Branch of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), officially began. The event, held at the Sports Bay of the Lodz University of Technology, attracts a wide audience — from children and youth to adults and seniors. The Congress spans two days.
“History Speaks Through Generations”
Bringing generations together is one of the key goals of the Congress. The program has been designed so that both younger and older guests can take part in shared educational experiences. In keeping with the Congress motto, “History Speaks Through Generations,” the past becomes a living dialogue — a reminder that national identity and memory of our ancestors are the foundations upon which we build the future.
Historical Education in a New Format
The National Future Congress is not a typical academic conference. It is a multidimensional event that uses diverse and unconventional forms of storytelling to make participants more aware of the historical and social processes shaping today’s world. Attendees experience history through workshops, multimedia exhibitions, discussion panels, and educational games.
The First Day of the National Future Congress
The official opening ceremony took place at 11:00 a.m., though visitors could take part in activities starting as early as 9:00 a.m. The day began with lectures for students and film workshops for young people and adults. From that moment until 4:00 p.m., the Sports Bay of the Lodz University of Technology was buzzing with continuous educational sessions, discussions, and creative workshops.
The event opened with remarks by Karol Piskorski, Director of the IPN Łódź Branch, followed by Dr. Karol Polejowski, Deputy President of the IPN. In his speech, Dr. Polejowski emphasized that Poland is the place where we grow up and take root, and that this connection forms the foundation of every Pole’s identity, regardless of where life leads them. He also stressed the importance of education in the digital era and the need to meet the expectations of today’s youth — a generation deeply immersed in new technologies.
He concluded by referring to a statement by Dr. Karol Nawrocki: “One cannot tell their own story without speaking of the past. That’s why history matters so much.”
The opening ceremony concluded with remarks by Dr. Adam Pleskaczyński, Director of the Office of National Education, who enthusiastically presented the results of the first edition of the nationwide project “Strong Through Poland!” (Silni Polską!). The competition aims to popularize modern Polish history among young people and local communities. It is worth noting that the second edition of the project has just been launched.
The New Technology Zone
The New Technology Zone quickly became one of the most popular attractions, especially among school students who filled the space from the very start of the event. The Zone features all projects developed by the New Technology Division of the IPN — including games, films, and applications available both on PC and in virtual reality (VR). It is an ideal place to explore immersive historical education and to experience firsthand how learning through technology can make understanding the past more engaging and memorable.
Ahead: The Second Day of the National Future Congress
The second and final day of the Congress promises to be equally exciting. The program includes the Final Gala of the Grażyna Langowska Award, as well as the “Witness of History” honorary award ceremony, accompanied by a concert by the Pospieszalski Family. Guests will also be able to participate in film and thematic workshops, educational theatre performances, discussion panels, and, of course, revisit the New Technology Zone.
