Discover 'Futbol Niezwyczajnych Dni': Sport and Football in Occupied Warsaw During WWII

This outdoor exhibition, 'Football of Unusual Days - Sport in Occupied Warsaw,' explores the history of Warsaw's sport during World War II. It highlights how football served as a way for Poles to cope with wartime realities, featuring illegal matches and significant public attendance despite the dangers.

The exhibition 'Futbol niezwyczajnych dni - sport w okupowanej Warszawie' (Football of Unusual Days - Sport in Occupied Warsaw) was presented outside the Museum of Sport and Tourism in Warsaw, in front of the Olympic Centre building. Prepared by the Serduszko dla Dzieci Association and Ośrodek Kibice Razem Warszawa, with funding from the Museum of History of Poland, the exhibition delves into the history of Warsaw's sport during the II World War. Curator Dr. Robert Gawkowski emphasized that Poland was the only country where illegal matches were played during the Nazi occupation, with sport functioning as a crucial coping mechanism against harsh wartime reality. Accounts from participants, such as Mieczysław Szymkowiak, recall matches attended by thousands of spectators despite the constant threat of round-ups, emphasizing the phenomenon of people attending football games for sheer passion and escapism. The exhibition aimed to shed light on this unique aspect of Warsaw's history.

The exhibition was presented outdoors and free to view. The page mentions general museum ticketing information under 'Wizyta' but does not specify separate charges for this particular outdoor exhibition. Visitors were directed to the Museum of Sport and Tourism at ul. Wybrzeże Gdyńskie 4.