Civic Renewal: Exploring the Solidarity Movement in Warsaw 1980-1981 Online Exhibition

This online project, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the August Accords and the Solidarity movement, examines the idea of solidarity and its emergence in Warsaw, particularly in the Wola district. It delves into the historical context and the local presence of the movement.

The online project 'Civic Renewal. Solidarity in Warsaw 1980 – 1981' marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the August Accords and the formation of the Solidarity social movement. It aims to explore the concept of solidarity and the circumstances that led to the creation of one of Poland's largest social movements, with a specific focus on its presence in Wola, an industrial and working-class district of Warsaw, and the capital city as a whole. The project consists of two complementary parts: a historical-archival section and a contemporary section. The historical-archival part includes an interview with Mirosław Odorowski, a member of the Founding Committee of 'Solidarity' and Trade Unions at the Róża Luksemburg Electrical Lamp Manufacturing Works in Warsaw, who was also a delegate to the first national congresses of Solidarity. This interview, conducted at the Museum of Wola, explores the formation of Solidarity and Independent Trade Unions, offering a personal perspective on the events. The project will be progressively developed until the end of December 2020, with selected, previously unpublished interviews from individuals involved in the creation and activities of Solidarity in Warsaw's workplaces to be released via the Warsaw Museum E-catalogue. This will include voices from the Róża Luksemburg Electrical Lamp Manufacturing Works, a major industrial plant in Wola and one of the first to strike in July 1980, notably initiated by its female workers. Archival materials such as photographs, leaflets, posters, and badges from the period will complement these narratives. The contemporary section aims to examine selected issues arising from the aspirations and postulates of 'Solidarity'. It connects the historical context with modern perspectives by featuring short interviews with artists of the young and middle generation whose practices engage with themes present during the early days of Solidarity, including workers' rights, social policy, self-governance, independent culture, ecology, housing rights, and women's rights. The exhibition does not aim to draw simple analogies but to showcase the relevance and currency of the issues championed by Solidarity, which remain significant for building community, civil society, and democracy today.

This is an online project, and no specific ticketing information is provided. Visitors are directed to a newsletter signup for further updates and access to project content as it is released.