“The Polish Museum will remain in Rapperswil. The Swiss branch of the Witold Pilecki Institute of Solidarity and Valour will also be established in the town. They will have their joint premises in the Schwanen complex in Rapperswil, which has just been purchased by the Polish state”, announced Minister of Culture and National Heritage Piotr Glinski.

The agreement for the purchase of the Schwanen complex enables the continuation of the work of the Polish Museum in Rapperswil, which had to abandon the Rapperswil castle at the end of June. The choice of location is not accidental. Located on Lake Zurich and in close vicinity to Rapperswil Castle, Schwanen hosted the Polish Museum which foundation act was solemnly read out and signed in 1870. Polish Museum worked in the Rapperswil Castle for many years.

The Schwanen Hotel was the centre of the town’s social life and a meeting place for Poles living in Switzerland. Numerous Polish patriotic celebrations were organised there. It was also the place for regular meetings of the then authorities of the Polish Museum. The place is therefore unquestionably strongly linked to Polish history.

“The purchase of the Schwanen complex is an expression of the special responsibility of the Polish state for Polish monuments located outside its borders. The protection of Polish cultural heritage, including that located abroad, is one of the priorities of our ministry, and ensuring decent conditions for storing and exhibiting the Polish collections is particularly close to our hearts”, said Minister Gliński during the signing of the agreement.

In the opinion of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, the Museum’s unique collections will be given new life in the Schwanen complex, and modern facilities will enable the realisation of interdisciplinary educational, artistic or museological projects addressed to a wide audience, ensuring the continuity of the historical institution’s functioning.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński