The impulse for the creation of the Archives of Shipyard Workers Memories was the work
on the documentary “Shipyard Workers. People from the Background ”, directed by
Marek Osiecimski. The documentary presents the profiles of previously anonymous heroes, former employees of the Gdańsk Shipyard, who actively participated in the events of December ’70 and August ’80 on the coast.

During the shooting of the documentary, it turned out that our protagonists not only have
a lot to say but also that in many respects we are fighting against time. Two characters in the documentary have already left us. The director managed to register their memories at the last minute.

On the website www.archiwumwspomnienstoczniowca.pl, you will find the first stories related to the heroes of the documentary film that explore threads not included in the film, such as the confession of the late Krystyna Maciejewska, who, as a 9-year-old girl, helped her parents save their Jewish neighbors in Grodno, for which – together with her family – she was honored with the title of Righteous Among the Nations. Eng. Marek Gmiński tells about how he computerized the shipyard and Stanisław Składanowski about how an accident in the army influenced his artistic path.

The platform will grow over time, as more stories and materials will be added, thus preserving the intangible cultural heritage associated with the Gdańsk Shipyard.

On the occasion of this year’s 40th anniversary of signing the August Agreements, TVN24 will screen on August 30 the official premiere of the documentary “Shipyard Workers. People from the background”.

The Archives of Shipyard Workers Memories is the first of our events commemorating the 40th anniversary of signing the August 1980 agreements.

Another will be an exhibition of photographs by Stanisław Składanowski. Mr. Składanowski is a former employee of the Gdańsk and Repair Shipyard and at the same time the author of many legendary photos taken during the strikes in August 1980. He made over 1000 of them in total, of which 75 of the most important will be presented at the exhibition. The exhibition is also accompanied by the premiere of an album containing nearly 300 photographs of him.

The opening will take place on March 21 at 6.00 p.m. at the WL4 Art Space.