IPN Gdańsk highlights maritime cities and port heritage in its 2026 programme

The programme was presented during a press briefing held on 6 February 2026 at IPN Gdańsk headquarters. According to the Institute, the year will be structured around the 80th anniversary of the presence of the 5th Vilnius Home Army Brigade in Pomerania, a region of key maritime and strategic importance in post-war Poland.

- Throughout the year, we will carry out intensive educational, academic and commemorative activities aimed at permanently embedding the heroes of the 5th Vilnius Home Army Brigade in public awareness, said Dr Marek Szymaniak, Director of IPN Gdańsk.

Port cities as spaces of remembrance

Additional anniversaries to be marked in 2026 include:

• the 75th anniversary of the execution of Major Zygmunt Szendzielarz (“Łupaszka”),
• the 10th anniversary of the state funeral of Danuta Siedzikówna (“Inka”) and Feliks Selmanowicz (“Zagończyk”) in Gdańsk,
• the 45th anniversary of the introduction of martial law in Poland.

Several initiatives will be implemented directly in the public space of Gdańsk, including areas historically connected to transport corridors and port infrastructure.

One of the key projects is the renovation of the Monument to the Victims of Communist Crimes at Targ Rakowy in Gdańsk.

- This is a unique memorial site that requires conservation work in order to continue fulfilling its role with dignity, said Katarzyna Lisiecka.

Research, publishing and documentary film

A national academic conference titled "The 5th Vilnius Home Army Brigade in Pomerania in the context of post-war independence movements" will take place on 21–22 May 2026.

- We want to summarise existing research while placing the Vilnius underground movement within the broader landscape of post-war independence organisations, explained Dr Daniel Czerwiński.

A documentary film dedicated to the Brigade is scheduled for release in August 2026.

IPN as official partner of Gdynia’s port city centenary

A distinctly maritime component of the programme is IPN Gdańsk’s participation in the 100th anniversary of Gdynia receiving city rights.

- For this occasion, we have prepared a special exhibition with three-dimensional effects presenting the history of the city and its port in a modern form, said Krzysztof Drażba.

The exhibition "Gdynia Then and Now: Frames from the History of the City and Port from a 100-Year Perspective" will open on 10 February at Plac Wolnej in Gdynia. IPN Gdańsk is an official partner of the centenary celebrations.