The ‘Memory and Identity’ Museum of St John Paul II was opened in Toruń. During a ceremony attended by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage Piotr Gliński. According to the Ministry of Culture, part of the collection from the permanent exhibition to be opened next year, was presented in the opening. “This is a unique place whose main objective is to present the history of the Polish state; from its Christian beginnings to the present day, seen through the prism of the axiology of Saint John Paul II – the greatest Pole in history. Axiology which, on the one hand, is extraordinarily rich, but on the other hand is still too little known in Polish society”, said the minister during the ceremony.
The head of the Ministry of Culture pointed out that the exhibition is intended to encourage visitors to reflect on national attitudes and values. He pointed out that the Museum also serves the Polish-Jewish dialogue.
“Part of the permanent exhibition is devoted to the popularisation of scientific findings on the attitudes of Poles towards Jews during World War II, which is particularly important today”, said the minister.
The exhibition ‘Memory and Identity’ will present 10 thematic zones, which correspond to the narrative threads included in the book of the same title by John Paul II. The narrative of the exhibition is based directly on the concept of the Polish Pope’s homeland and the way Poland’s history is read from his perspective. The Holy Father will be present at the exhibition primarily as its spiritual patron.
More than 1,000 exhibits were presented at the opening, including old prints, manuscripts, paintings, coins, and medals. The total is expected to include more than 2,000 objects. Also, the display will include testimonies of witnesses to the Second World War that have been collected over many years.
The exhibition is to consist of two parts: the first will be the history of Poland, accompanied by a constant commentary by John Paul II, while the second part will make a visitor an attentive observer and participant in historical events.
Arkadiusz Słomczyński