Collection

The collection of the European Solidarity Centre comprises an extensive archive (official and underground prints, art and photographs), publications gathered and made available by the ECS Library (published in Poland and abroad), alongside titles brought out by the ECS (either independently or in collaboration with other research institutions and publishing houses).

The collection is accessible on-site in specialised areas (Library, Archive Reading Room, Media Library), with open-access online catalogues providing information on their contents. We also conduct specialised research queries upon request, for example from researchers or media representatives.

We are particularly interested in materials related to anti-communist activities worldwide and the cultural legacy of the Gdańsk Shipyard. Historical memorabilia, works of art, photographs, archival records and audiovisual materials . . . Our memorabilia collecting initiative is an ongoing project that allows everyone to contribute to documenting past events for future generations.

The ECS historical collection has been built largely owing to the trust of private individuals: memorabilia owners, collectors and inheritors. Archival materials survived the turbulent periods of Poland’s recent history because they were carefully preserved in private homes. Today, their value is immeasurable.

One of the missions of the ECS is to commemorate, safeguard and interpret the legacy of Solidarity for contemporary audiences. Historical artefacts, archives, works of art, photographs and films are given new life, not only showcased within the ECS building but also exhibited across Poland and internationally, including in Spain, Belgium, Germany and Canada. These materials serve as primary sources for historians, set designers and artists; they are used by filmmakers and featured in publications, bearing witness to the unique experiences of the Polish people.

How to Contribute to the ECS Collection
1. Contact the ECS Collection Section via email at zbiory@ecs.gda.pl or by phone at +48 58 772 41 34(11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.). Provide details about the objects you wish to contribute and the form of transfer (donation, sale or deposit).
2. Each contribution is assessed on a case-by-case basis. A specialist from the Collection Section will contact you after reviewing your proposed contribution.
3. Donations may be accepted in whole or in part (only selected objects). The decision is made by the custodian in charge of the relevant collection.
4. The Acquisitions Committee evaluates offers to sell items to the ECS Collection. A specialist from the Collection Section will guide you through the entire process.
5. The process concludes with the signing of a donation agreement and a handover report.
6. Materials may also be provided in digital copy form or temporarily deposited for digitisation by the ECS. In this case, the originals remain with you while being made accessible to others.