This is what Szczecin was like in 1945. Exhibition at Przystanek Historia

A special exhibition will be dedicated to Szczecin in 1945, to which the Institute of National Remembrance invites all residents in connection with the European Night of Museums. We can also expect attractions for children. Everything will start on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the History Stop in the "Poseidon" at Brama Portowa.

– It has been 80 years since the end of World War II and the incorporation of the western and northern lands into the Polish state – says Marcin Łatacz, head of the IPN’s National Education Office in Szczecin. – That is why it is worth returning to this moment. The core of the exhibition will be the collection of the famous Szczecin antiquarian Wojciech Lizak. We will show unique posters, placards, and announcements. For example, a map that settlers who came to Szczecin received in 1945. The propaganda posters from the era are interesting. There will be 14 boards in total.

At Przystanek Historia we will also see documents from the IPN archive. Many of them were created by the security service of the time. Interestingly, this material is "raw material" that few people had access to. Because, for example, these documents were sent to the West Pomeranian Voivode Leonard Borkowicz in a processed version. An image of Szczecin and its surroundings emerges from them as a dangerous place, a place where an atmosphere of uncertainty and threat prevailed.

- The documents mention attacks on settlers, attacks at train stations. There is a letter from the railway workers' community, in which we read that the railway workers are asking for protection because they are constantly being robbed. Gangs of Soviet marauders spread fear in Gumieńce, in Stargard. But not only that. Polish settlers sent a letter for protection in one of the towns where the German population still predominated. The Germans threatened that they would show the Poles... - adds Marcin Łatacz. - The first officers of the Citizens' Militia in Szczecin were partisans from the communist People's Army. Later, it happened that people were taken to the Citizens' Militia from roundups. That is why there was no shortage of desertions.

Guests will also find medals and decorations from the battles for Western Pomerania in 1945. As well as historical books published by the Institute. For the youngest participants of the Night of Museums, a corner of historical board games, colouring books and large-format puzzles has been prepared.

Anyone who visits Przystanek Historia on Saturday can count on a commemorative pin. ©℗

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