Exhibition showing Poland's history to WYD pilgrims opens in Warsaw

The exhibition, titled "John Paul II: Sources" and designed with World Youth Day (WYD) pilgrims in mind, was prepared by the Museum of Polish History and the Centre for Thought of John Paul II. It is set up in a large tent along the busiest street in Warsaw's tourist district.

"The idea of the exhibition is to present Polish history to the pilgrims coming to Poland for World Youth Day. We want to show how important people connected to the Polish Church were for Poland's history, especially those who were later declared saints, starting with Saint Adalbert and Saint Stanislaus, the patrons of Poland," Robert Kostro, director of the Museum of Polish History, told PAP.

The exhibition's timeline starts with the date of the baptism of Prince Mieszko I in 966 (marking Poland's conversion to Christianity) and ends with the fall of communism in Poland in 1989.

The exhibition is made up of large panels showing historical events, videos and descriptions in Polish and English. John Paul II has a special place in the exhibition. "We compiled quotes from the pope's writings and homilies and his words will be our guide through Poland's history," said Kostro.

The exhibition, under the honorary patronage of President Andrzej Duda, will be open until August 15. (PAP)

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