1989—People want to talk!
The deliberations of the Round Table, the first partially free elections, a new non-communist government, economic and social transformation - the year 1989 in Poland was rich in events which did not remain without influence on the fate of other Eastern Bloc countries. It is no wonder that twenty years of political changes, was an opportunity for endless summaries, statements and considerations ‘what if ...’. The year 2009 was also the scene of clashes between the different historical narratives. Not from today we know that the events of 20 years ago more vary than unite Polish society. There are those who think that a Round Table was the only reasonable solution. There are those who say that it was a betrayal of national ideals, which stopped the revolution halfway. There are also those who claim that it was the elite consensus, without a citizens. History, especially so young, it is not only past but also how people deal with the surrounding reality and look to the future.
The thesis of the project of hand was that people wanted to talk about 1989. This holds not only for those whose could draw from their own experiences and memories. At the exhibition were presented the interviews with witnesses of the events of ’89 and their children. It allowed to show to a wider audience individual stories of the Wroclaw’s inhabitants - examples of social commitment, enthusiasm, effort and hope in the pending changes.
Iwona Nowak, born in 1983, historian.
Two of the interviewees:
Lucyna Folcik (Ms), 62, physician
Lucyna Folcik was involved deeply with the actions of the Solidarność movement together with her husband. Her husband was sent to prison for political reasons. To her, 1989 is a symbol of freedom and hope.
Radomił Folcik, 26, working student.
Radomił Folcik says one can be proud of the year of 1989. He sees 1989 as a major turning point in Polish history that has brought about many other - beneficial and adverse - changes.