8th Seminar for Regionalists, Educators, and Historians

Reflections and Discussions on History, Education, and Memory

On Monday, September 29, 2025, the Museum and Memorial in Bełżec hosted the 8th Seminar for Regionalists, Educators, and Historians under the slogan “History – Education – Memory.” The meeting brought together teachers, museum curators, historians, and regionalists, who jointly reflected on the role of memory and historical education in the modern world.

Inddividual Fate in the Tides of History

In the first presentation, Anna Wójcik from the State Museum at Majdanek introduced the figure of Bolesław “Jasieńczyk” Burski – a Home Army soldier and prisoner of Pawiak, Majdanek, and Auschwitz. The speaker presented his extraordinary life story: from his underground activities, through his experiences in the camps, to the testimonies he left behind, which today allow us to better understand the realities of the occupation and the importance of individual fates in historical research.

A woman speaks at the podium during the event, while another stands next to her in front of display boards.

Modern Historical Education

Next, Kinga Kołodziejczyk from the Zamość Museum in Zamość took the floor, presenting a lecture entitled “Memory that engages. Innovative methods of historical education at the Museum of Fortifications and Weapons Arsenal.” In her speech, she emphasized the importance of modern teaching tools, interactive forms of communication, and working with different audiences. She showed that historical education can not only impart knowledge, but also engage, stimulate reflection, and shape the attitudes of the younger generation.

The speaker addresses the audience from the podium during the seminar.

Exhibition on Courage and Solidarity

The next item on the agenda was the opening of the exhibition “In the Name of Humanity: Poles Who Saved Jews During the German Occupation,” prepared according to a script by Dominika Pasieczna from the Museum and Memorial in Bełżec. The exhibition presents the stories of residents of the Tomaszów district who helped the persecuted Jews.

A fragment of an exhibition panel with archival photographs of women and biographical text on a light background.

End of War - New Reality

After the break, participants listened to a presentation by Maciej Zwolan, assistant professor at the Museum of Fortifications and Weapons Arsenal in Zamość, who discussed the political and social situation in Poland and the experiences of Poles at the end of the war in 1945. The speaker pointed out that the end of military operations did not bring complete freedom – for many, it meant the beginning of a new, difficult reality under Soviet domination.

A group of people walk with flowers through a narrow gap in the monument, surrounded by huge concrete walls.

Memory and Community

The seminar ended with a discussion, the lighting of candles in the Ohel Niche in tribute to the victims of the camp, and a tour of the Museum grounds.

The event showed that remembering the past, taking responsibility for education, and reflecting on history remain important elements in building our identity.

A group of people participates in a commemorative gathering at the walls bearing the names of victims in the memorial space.