Almost 1,400 people spent the evening at the museum. The first guests arrived shortly after 4:00 p.m. Visitors could enjoy numerous attractions, including a tent with museum publications and souvenirs, children’s workshops on making red poppy corsages, a stand run by a historical re-enactment group, and many other activities.

“Here we have original World War II artefacts connected primarily with the 2nd Corps. These are mainly British-made exhibits: uniforms, radio equipment, radio stations, signal lamps, as well as weapons and soldiers’ personal belongings,” said Radosław Dąbrowski from the Polish 2nd Corps Museum in Józefów.

While waiting in the long queue to enter the museum, visitors could enjoy hot tea served at the Białystok Waterworks stand.

The first group entered the museum just before 6:00 p.m. An extraordinary exhibit awaited guests in the audiovisual room — poppies picked at Monte Cassino in 1944 by Leopold Kundycki, a soldier in General Anders’ Army. Visitors also had the opportunity to listen to excerpts from the memoirs of Colonel Romuald Lipiński, a participant in the Battle of Monte Cassino, read by Adam Woronowicz, as well as to hear an interview with Peter Kundycki, Leopold’s grandson, who donated the poppies to the museum.

To the surprise of one group, their guide through the permanent exhibition turned out to be the museum’s director, Professor Wojciech Śleszyński. Afterwards, visitors eagerly shared both their family stories and their impressions of the exhibition:

“The exhibition is truly impressive, especially its layout. Downstairs it is so dark — you really immerse yourself in the history — and then upstairs there is this overwhelming whiteness,” said one visitor.

“We came because our grandfather was deported to Siberia. Until recently, we knew nothing about his story, but lately we have started taking an interest in his fate,” said another visitor. “The museum is beautifully designed — absolutely fantastic — and the guide was excellent,” she added.

We were especially delighted by the positive feedback from the youngest participants of this year’s Long Night of Museums.

“10 out of… 9,” said Stefan after a long moment of consideration.

Small gifts awaited the first, the thousandth, and the final visitor of the evening. Thank you for choosing to spend this special evening with us! Those who did not manage to visit the exhibition are warmly invited to the museum tomorrow from 9:30 a.m.