Adam Siwek, the head of the department officially in charge of the creation, restoration and care of monuments, commemorative plaques and graves of polish war veterans, both in Poland, as well as abroad, made a working visit to Romania between October 13-14 2026.

The purpose of the polish delegation in Romania, was to discuss new initiatives to commemorate Polish history, as well as about the development of cooperation in the field of historical education and the dissemination of knowledge about the fate of Poles during the Second World War abroad.

Honorary consul of Poland in Brașov participated in the meetings, Mr. Janusz Szalinski, as well as a delegation of the polish ambassador in Bucharest, Pawel Soloch.

One of the highlights of his visit to Romania was the meeting with Cristina Lapis, the president and founder of the Millions of Friends Association, which administers the famous Bear Sanctuary AMP Libearty in Zărnești. Discussions focused on the possibility of building a monument dedicated to the bear Wojtek on the grounds of the sanctuary, which attracts approx 40.000 of visitors every year. Establishing a memorial in such a recognizable location would allow the story of this extraordinary animal to be brought to light by a wider audience, including many tourists from various countries.

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The story of Wojtek the bear occupies a special place in the narrative of Polish soldiers during the Second World War. In 1942, soldiers of the Polish Army in the East, they adopted a brown bear cub, who baptized him Wojtek, he assisted military troops by carrying heavy crates of artillery shells from trucks to firing positions, without missing a single one. For his services, he was officially enlisted as a soldier (reaching the rank of corporal).  After the demobilization of the unit in 1947, Wojtek was taken to Scotland and spent the rest of his life at Edinburgh Zoo, where he died in 1963.

The meeting in Zărnești had a wide impact. Discussions focused, also, on the potential history education initiatives of the Institute of National Memory, as well as on the opportunity to present IPN exhibitions at the premises of AMP Libearty. This collaboration could contribute to the dissemination of knowledge about the history of Poland, the fate of Polish soldiers and the common threads that connect both countries. Establishing a memorial in such a recognizable location would allow the story of this extraordinary animal to be brought to a wider audience, including many tourists from various countries.

Director Adam Siwek, together with the Polish delegation, they also had a meeting with Ioan-Cosmin Feroiu, the mayor of Bran commune. Discussions focused on opportunities for cooperation in establishing Polish memorials in the commune, which would commemorate the presence of Poles in the history of the region and events and figures related to Polish national heritage. The mayor warmly welcomed the Polish delegation, and the meeting provided a forum for discussing further steps to preserve historical memory.

The day culminated with a visit to the stone altar in Timiș de Sus, near Brașov. This unique memorial site was built in 1940 of the Polish soldiers refugees in Romania after the September Campaign 1939. Built of stone in a forest setting, the altar is a testimony of faith, to the patriotism and devotion to their homeland of the soldiers who, despite the forced separation from Poland, they strove to preserve their national identity and community. It is, also, a tangible trace of the wartime destiny of the Poles whose road to freedom passed through Romania.

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This place remains an important point on the map of Polish historical memory, including due to the annual services held there, which bring together Poles who want to pay tribute to the soldiers and cultivate the memory of their fate. Due to the historical significance of the shrine and the tradition of commemoration maintained around it, this location has been identified as a potential site for future commemorative activities by the Institute of National Remembrance.

These activities serve not only to preserve material evidence of the past, but also to the transmission of knowledge about the history of Poland to future generations and to the construction of an international space of commemoration as well as to the ties between the two countries.

This year's jubilee edition brought together history enthusiasts, historical reenactment groups, researcher, collectors, modelers and the general public, offering a diverse perspective on the european past. The program included historical reenactments from different periods, military technique demonstrations and presentations, historical and strategy games, modeling exhibitions, educational and children's activities, as well as artistic and cultural events.

An important component of the edition of 2026 was represented by the scientific conference organized at the Royal Castle in Niepołomice, dedicated to the theme of war, historical memory and social and political transformations after armed conflicts. The academic program brought together researchers who addressed topics related to collective memory, the evolution of European armies, the status of veterans and the consequences of wars on society.

The anniversary edition paid special attention to the history of Poland and the period of great political and military transformations in the late 18th and 19th centuries, including the napoleonic period. Highlights of the program included military re-enactment demonstrations, historical performances, concerts and activities around the Royal Castle and in the city's public spaces.

Participation in this event represented an opportunity to strengthen the dialogue with local authorities and polish partners, as well as to highlight the historical and cultural ties that bring Romania and Poland closer together. In a framework dedicated to the valorization of historical memory and european heritage, the presence of romanian representatives contributed to the promotion of intercultural dialogue and the development of relations between the local communities and the institutions of the two countries.

"Pola Chwały" is held under the auspices of the "Pola Chwały" Foundation, in partnership with the city and commune of Niepołomice and local cultural and educational institutions. The organizers define the objectives of the festival by promoting history, of respect for other peoples and interest in cultural and historical heritage.

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As part of the Râșnov Film and History Festival 2026, you can see a series of screenings signed by the great polish director Andrzej Wajda, one of the most important european filmmakers.

Considered an essential figure of european auteur cinema, Wajda deeply influenced the model in which the film approaches history and collective memory, being appreciated for his artistic strength and civic commitment. Throughout his career, has been awarded numerous international awards, including an honorary Oscar Award for the entire activity.

Will ne screened films such as "Katyn Forest"(Katyń) ; "Iron Man" (Człowiek z żelaza) ; "The Marble Man" (Człowiek z marmuru) ; "Man of Hope" (Wałęsa. Człowiek z nadziei) - memorable works about history, the society and memory of Poland.

On the official website ( www.ffir.ro ) find more information and the complete program of the Râșnov Film and History Festival 2026

See you at the movie!

Between 13 and 16 August, within the Brașov Historical Comics Festival, it will be possible to visit the exhibition "Polish Stories in Comics", which brings together the works of 25 by polish artists. The exhibition highlights the diversity and richness of historical polish comics and offers a unique insight into history through art.

Known heroes and forgotten characters, real events, myths and new perspectives, all turned into pages full of color and imagination. From realistic recreations to surprising artistic styles, the exhibit shows that comics can tell stories that stay with you.

 "Polish Stories in Comics" invites you to discover Poland through illustrated stories that combine history, legends and everyday life in an engaging way.

If you like illustrations, comics or simply want to see history from a different angle, we will see you you at the festival!

Event organized by the Brașov County Museum of History and the Polish Institute in Bucharest.

On 1 st of August, poles commemorate the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising, one of the most important and dramatic moments in the history of Warsaw.

The time 17:00, known as "W Hour" exactly when the fight started, sirens are ringing all over Warsaw. For one minute, the city comes to a complete stop: cars pull on the right side, public transport stops, pedestrians remain motionless, and people keep a moment of silence in memory of the heroes and the victims of the insurgency.

The insurrection began at 1 August 1944, when the polish resistance tried to liberate the capital from nazi occupation. The fighting lasted 63 for days and ended with heavy losses: approximate 16.000 by the resistance fighters and up to 150.000 – 180.000 of civilians lost their lives, and the greater part of the city was destroyed.

For poles, 1 August is not just a historical commemoration, but a symbol of courage, sacrifice and the desire for freedom. The moment of silence at time 17:00, is one of the most emotional collective gestures of respect and memory in Europe.

The President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, arrived on Tuesday, 12 th of May, in Bucharest on board a Boeing 737 of the Polish Air Force, to participate in the B9 summit that takes place at the Cotroceni Palace on 13 th of May 2026. The President of Poland is co-hosting the summit, considering that Romania and Poland are the founders of this initiative. The event brought together leaders and high-ranking officials from NATO's eastern flank and the Nordic countries, with transatlantic security on the agenda, defense strengthening and continued support for Ukraine.

After the conclusion of the B9 summit in Bucharest, the president's delegation will head to Brașov for 2 days and will visit Bran Castle, The bear sanctuary in Zârnești, following to then participate alongside representatives of the polish communities in Brașov, Bucovina, Bucharest, as well as the command and soldiers of the Polish Military Contingent stationed in Craiova, at the Holy Liturgy celebrated in the open air, at the forest altar in Timișu de Sus, near Brasov, build by the soldiers of the Polish Army, refugees in Romania in the year 1939.

After visiting the mentioned objectives and the meetings with Brasov officials, the presence of the president of Poland in Brasov will end, Thursday,14 May, with the departure of the presidential aircraft of the Republic of Poland from Brasov Ghimbav International Airport to Warsaw.

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On the occasion of Europe Day, in Brașov, within the Johannes Honterus High School, in the presence of the German consuls, France, Italy and Poland, high school students Johannes Honterus High School, Andrei Șaguna National College, National College Dr. Ioan Meșota, Unirea National College and Nicolae Titulescu National College have prepared an extraordinary program, full of emotion, energy and talent through political speeches, through music, culture and enthusiasm.

Europe Day, has a special meaning for Poland, marking not only European peace and unity, but also the confirmation of its belonging to western values ​​after decades of soviet influence. Poland joined the European Union in 1 th of May 2004, so that the month of May is seen as a period of celebration of the European identity and the benefits brought by the membership of the European Union. This date, symbolizes the success of joining the value space, European economic and political, a historical desire of the Polish people to return to “the european family”.

In Poland, the beginning of May is extremely busy with patriotic holidays: 1May: Work Day; 2 May: Polish Flag Day and Polish Diaspora Day; 3 May: Constitution Day of 1791, an extremely important national holiday considered the first modern constitution in Europe and the second in the world, after that of the United States. Thus, 9 it also comes as a complement to this patriotic spirit, placing Poland as an important actor within the European Union.

Europe Day,  it is of overwhelming importance in the contribution it can make to modern civilization, an organized and active Europe, indispensable for maintaining peaceful relations.

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