Gdańsk, August 2025 — A poignant new exhibition in Gdańsk is bringing to light the harrowing experiences of Polish civilians imprisoned by Nazi forces on Westerplatte peninsula. The exhibition displays personal belongings, letters, and artifacts that belonged to imprisoned individuals, offering a raw and emotional window into their ordeals.
Curated by local historians, the exhibition’s centerpiece is a solemn display of items—handwritten letters, tattered clothing, and personal mementos—once carried by civilians pulled into the horrors of war. Each item tells a story of resistance, loss, and survival.
The exhibition integrates multimedia storytelling, with audio recordings that let visitors hear firsthand accounts from survivors and historians. These provide an immersive experience, connecting visitors across generations to the turbulent past.
Organizers explained that presenting such artifacts in a dedicated exhibition is crucial for preserving collective memory. Westerplatte is often associated with military defense, but this exhibit emphasizes the overlooked civilian suffering that occurred at the same historic site.
Local schools and families have responded strongly, with many planning guided tours to instill a deeper sense of history and empathy in younger generations. Educators say the exhibition transforms abstract history into tangible reality.
As Gdańsk continues to reflect on wartime narratives, this exhibition stands out as a meaningful, human-centered memorial through curated design and poignant storytelling.
