The premiere of “Digital Heroes” is Behind Us – Experience Hero Avatars at the Central History Point

On April 14, the ceremonial premiere of the New Technology Division of the IPN’s educational project, “Digital Heroes,” took place. The event was attended by Karol Polejowski, Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance; Rafał Leśkiewicz, IPN spokesperson; and Magdalena Hajduk, Director of the New Technology Division. The project is now available to the public.

Grand Premiere of “Digital Heroes” at the Central History Point

The event took place in the New Technology Zone of the Central History Hub at 107 Marszałkowska Street, Warsaw. This is where the Heroes are now available to visitors of the Zone.

What is the Digital Heroes Project?

This innovative initiative consists of three main components. The heart of the project – the avatars – beats at the Central History Hub at 107 Marszałkowska Street in Warsaw. Here, you can converse with Jan Zumbach, Wojtek the Bear, and Jan Kowalewski. Additionally, by scanning a QR code, these characters will appear on your smartphone in augmented reality (AR), and you can also watch them in short films published on the Institute of National Remembrance’s social media profiles – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

The Premiere of the Latest Project is Behind Us

The event began with a speech by IPN spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz, who referenced previous projects by the New Technology Division and introduced the newest educational tools. Next, Karol Polejowski, Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance, took the stage. He reminisced about his school years and youthful enthusiasm for seeking knowledge and solving complex questions. He emphasized the IPN’s ongoing dialogue with Generation Z and Generation Alpha, as well as its commitment to creating educational tools that are both engaging for young people and meet pedagogical standards.

Magdalena Hajduk, Director of the New Technology Division, then addressed the audience. Speaking first to teachers and educators, she outlined the benefits of immersive historical education and encouraged them to explore other projects by the New Technology Division that can aid in teaching history. She then turned to the school students in attendance, introducing the hero avatars and inviting them to explore the entire offer of the New Technology Zone at the Central History Hub.

Youth Enthralled by New Technologies

After the speeches, the students engaged with the hero avatars, posing numerous inquisitive, complex, and unexpected questions. The range of interests was vast – Wojtek the Bear recounted his experiences at the Battle of Monte Cassino and explained his habit of sneaking honey from soldiers. Jan Zumbach shared stories of downing enemy planes, while Jan Kowalewski revealed how a comb helped him decipher Bolshevik ciphers.

When the students ran out of spontaneous questions, they enjoyed lessons conducted by the avatars. These lessons, lasting 15–20 minutes each, feature the heroes narrating their accomplishments, describing historical events in broader contexts, and enriching their stories with fascinating anecdotes from their eras. Each avatar is capable of delivering three distinct lessons, which sparked further curiosity and led to even more questions from the students.

See the Hero Avatars for Yourself

Visit the Central History Hub and interact with the avatars of Jan Zumbach, Wojtek the Bear, and Jan Kowalewski. The New Technology Zone also features three gaming pods and VR (Virtual Reality) equipment available to guests aged 13 and older.