National Anthem Museum opens exhibition on Polish national symbols

The National Anthem Museum in Będomin has opened a temporary exhibition dedicated to the history and evolution of Polish national symbols. The display, which will remain available until the end of 2027, explores the origins and development of the White Eagle, the national cockade, and the white-and-red flag.

Exhibits trace the evolution of state symbols from the Jagiellonian dynasty through the restoration of independence in 1918 to the present day. Notable items include a Prussian eagle that was modified into the Polish emblem after 1918, a Warsaw Uprising insurgent armband, and maritime ensigns from the destroyer ORP Błyskawica and the sailing ship Dar Pomorza. Modern items on display include flags from Polish military missions in Iraq and the flag from the Henryk Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station.

Curator Przemysław Rey highlighted the significance of the modified Prussian eagle as a tangible symbol of shedding foreign rule. Curator Małgorzata Gańska noted that the exhibition emphasizes the role of symbols in building community and uniting people across different ages and views. The museum is a branch of the National Museum in Gdańsk and is located in a historic manor near Kościerzyna.