Tonight marked the premiere of the first audiobook produced by the Sybir Memorial Museum, in collaboration with Polish Radio Białystok. The audiobook is based on Colonel Romuald Lipiński’s book “Biography Written by History,” published a year ago by the Museum. The special guest, actor Adam Woronowicz, lent his voice to the recording, giving the story a profound emotional depth.
The meeting with the actor and Professor Wojciech Śleszyński, Director of the Sybir Memorial Museum, was hosted by Agnieszka Czarkowska, Head of the Reportage and Documentary Studio at Polish Radio Białystok, and Marcin Zwolski, PhD, Head of the Scientific Department of the Sybir Memorial Museum. The event was attended by Rafał Rudnicki, Deputy Mayor of Białystok, representatives of Radio Białystok, and numerous guests.
The meeting offered a unique opportunity to listen to excerpts from the book read live by Adam Woronowicz—passages that, as he himself admitted, deeply moved him during the recording process.
“As older actors used to say, ‘An actor is something you become, not something you are.’” There are those special moments when we feel that we’ve transcended something within ourselves—and that it stays with us. Recording this audiobook was one of those moments. I was incredibly touched by this story. It’s very unprofessional for an actor to cry, because it’s the audience or listener who should cry. But I couldn’t hold back my emotions while reading it,” said the visibly moved actor.
When asked about the choice of Colonel Lipiński’s memoirs as the Museum’s first audiobook, Professor Wojciech Śleszyński emphasized their uniqueness:
“It’s a true story of a real man—and what’s more, it’s told in a truly remarkable voice,” he said, adding: “When we decided to record the audiobook, we briefly wondered who could read these memories. Together with Radio Białystok, we had no doubts — who else but our actor, from our city?”
Rafał Rudnicki, Deputy Mayor of Białystok, also expressed his appreciation for the actor’s involvement:
“It’s hard to find better ambassadors for our city. Adam Woronowicz, a native of Białystok, always emphasizes his roots and the fact that exceptional people live here. On behalf of myself and all of you, I want to sincerely thank him,” he said.
The evening was filled with personal reflections and anecdotes, giving the event a warm and intimate atmosphere. Guests also had the chance to ask questions, making it an excellent opportunity to get to know the actor better and learn more about his work. After the meeting, the excitement in the room was palpable, as evidenced by the long line of people waiting for autographs and photos with the actor.
The audiobook is now available in our museum store and online.
