On Wednesday, 18 February, the Polish Senate officially opened the exhibition ‘Gdynia x 10’, presenting a hundred years of history of the city that was born from the sea and dreams. The exhibition, prepared on the occasion of the Year of Gdynia established by the Senate on the 100th anniversary of granting the city its municipal rights, will be open to visitors until 25 March.
The ceremony was opened by the ‘Zawisza Czarny’ Male Shanty Choir conducted by Jacek Jakubowski. Arkadiusz Dzierżyński, a councillor of the city of Gdynia, also performed with the choir. The event was attended by, among others, Senate Marshal Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Mayor of Gdynia Aleksandra Kosiorek and Chairman of the Gdynia City Council Tadeusz Szemiot.
The exhibition ‘Gdynia x 10’ is a journey through ten decades of the city's history – from the present day back to its origins. Each part of the exhibition tells the story of a different stage in Gdynia's development and the events that shaped its identity. Visitors can see archival photographs, plans, documents, maps and accounts of residents, as well as exhibits related to the history of the Polish navy.
The project was initiated by Senator Sławomir Rybicki. The Gdynia City Museum and the Naval Museum are responsible for the content of the exhibition, which they prepared in cooperation with the Gdynia City Council.
We came to the Senate today to show what is best and most beautiful in Gdynia. This exhibition, which is a review of history, is a summary of how unique Gdynia is. Because what the Marshal said is true – that Gdynia was born out of the sea and dreams – and also what the Senator mentioned: out of a bold, strategic vision. I encourage you to treat this exhibition as an invitation to get to know our city for yourselves, said Aleksandra Kosiorek, Mayor of Gdynia.
The city of Gdynia is a symbol and tangible proof of Poland's fulfilled dream of freedom. It is Poland's window to the world and a multidimensional success. It was a promised land for Poles who came here from all over the country to find work, develop themselves and realise their dreams. Gdynia – as I always like to emphasise – is a city that is diverse in its very DNA, said Tadeusz Szemiot, Chairman of the Gdynia City Council.
After the official opening, guests were given a tour of the exhibition by Karin Moder, Director of the Gdynia City Museum, Tomasz Miegoń, Director of the Naval Museum, and Michał Miegoń, curator of the exhibition.
The exhibition at the Polish Senate will be open until 25 March. It will then be moved to the Tri-City, where it will be available to residents and tourists.
‘Gdynia x 10’ is a jubilee story about a city that, over the course of a hundred years, has grown from a small fishing village into a modern port and a symbol of Poland's openness to the world. The exhibition reminds us that the history of Gdynia is above all the history of people who came here from different parts of the country to build their lives and create a unique city together.