This is an outdoor exhibition dedicated to the life and work of Tadeusz Mazowiecki, a prominent Polish politician and journalist. The exhibition explores his role in democratic transformations, his social engagement, and his personal biography, including his work as a UN special envoy.
The exhibition 'Mazowiecki. Najpierw jest się człowiekiem' (Mazowiecki. First, one is a human being) is an outdoor display focusing on the life and activities of Tadeusz Mazowiecki (1927–2013). Mazowiecki was a long-time editor of 'Więź', a democratic opposition activist in the Polish People's Republic, the first non-communist Prime Minister after World War II, and a UN special envoy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The exhibition highlights his crucial role in Poland's democratic transitions, his involvement in social life, and his personal biography. It also touches upon his strong sense of responsibility and sensitivity to the suffering of others, particularly in the context of the war in Bosnia. The exhibition is an adaptation of a 2014 exhibition titled 'Mazowiecki. Człowiek dialogu' and was prepared by the History Meeting House for the City of Warsaw.
This exhibition is linked to the Tadeusz Mazowiecki Award, established by the Mayor of Warsaw for young people active in civil society. The choice of Mazowiecki as the award's patron reflects his profound sense of responsibility for his actions and his belief in the primacy of humanity, stating, 'When one looks at such terrible misfortunes, the feeling becomes very strong that first of all, one is human. And only then a person of a specific nationality. Humanity connects in misfortune, in experiencing it. One would wish people to understand it this way.'