Photo: Archive of the Fudnacja Dom Kultury

The House of Culture Foundation received funding from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage for the purchase of new office and technological equipment. Thanks to this support, we modernized the tools essential for carrying out our statutory activities, which include cultural and artistic education in communities at risk of social exclusion or already marginalized.

As part of the project, we purchased equipment necessary for delivering cultural education in places where access to culture is limited or entirely lacking, and where it is particularly important to use reliable, lightweight, and portable devices.

Honorary patronage of the WE Exhibition: Minister of Culture and National Heritage

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Honorary patronage of the WE Exhibition: Director General of the Prison Service

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Graphics: Renata Motyka

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Two Exhibitions – Participatory Art in Prisons

ART does not judge: culture only makes sense when it includes everyone.

The project Two Exhibitions, carried out by the Dom Kultury Foundation, consisted of five cycles of educational classes and creative workshops held simultaneously in four Warsaw remand prisons – Grochów, Bemowo (External Unit), Białołęka and Służewiec. The participants were people serving prison sentences – women and men of different ages, coming from various regions of Poland, often experiencing social and cultural exclusion from an early age.

The workshops were participatory in nature – participants were co-authors of the creative process. In the theoretical part, they gained knowledge of art history and selected artistic disciplines; in the practical part, working alongside invited artists, they created their own works and co-developed workshop concepts.
For many, this was the first conscious engagement with culture and their first experience of being creators rather than solely recipients.

Artists and educators long associated with the Foundation took part in the project: Małgorzata Gurowska and Joanna Ruszczyk, Małgorzata Jabłońska and Piotr Szewczyk, Waldemar Petryk and Kwiaciarnia Grafiki (Kwiatuchi).
Renata Motyka prepared the post-project publication.
The artists worked through dialogue and openness, treating their presence inside the prison environment as part of the social responsibility inherent in their artistic practice.

To be heard (WE, the exhibition)

The project concluded with two identical exhibitions:
– the first, intended for incarcerated participants and invited guests, took place at the end of November at the Warsaw-Białołęka Remand Prison,
– the second, open to the public, was presented in December at Galeria Studio (Studio Teatr Galeria).

Both exhibitions presented the same objects created during the workshops as well as photographic documentation.

The project Two Exhibitions created a space for social integration and for changing public narratives about people deprived of liberty. Participants were able to present their own perspectives and appear in the public sphere as authors. One of the outcomes of the project was its contribution to reducing stereotypical perceptions of this group and highlighting their creative potential.

The results of the project, along with the publication prepared by Renata Motyka, were made available online to reach a wide audience, including educators, curators, artists and people interested in inclusive culture and socially engaged art.

The Two Exhibitions project became an example of effective cooperation between different sectors – cultural institutions, a non-governmental organisation and penitentiary units. It introduced tools of culture and creativity into isolated environments and later presented the outcomes in one of the central cultural venues of the city.

Exhibition I

Exhibition II

Photo: Archive Fundacja Dom Kultury

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Panorama Miasta – A Shared Story of Diverse Warsaw

Project Organizer: Fundacja Dom Kultury

Co-organizer of the project: Nowe Centrum Warszawy

Project Description
“Panorama of the City” is an artistic and integrative project that connects Warsaw’s residents through joint creative activities. Its goal was to create a large-scale painting installation reflecting the diversity of the city’s community. The final event was open to everyone — children, adults, seniors, residents, and tourists — and concluded with the collective creation of the painted Panorama of the City in the square in front of the Palace of Culture and Science on June 28, 2025.

Project Objective
The main goal of the project was social integration through artistic activities and enabling people from various backgrounds — especially those with limited access to culture — to create an artwork together. The project provided space for self-expression, sharing personal stories, and experiencing collaboration beyond social divisions.

Graphics: Klaudia Borawiak

Project Locations
The workshops took place in the premises of the participating communities: the Regional Youth Educational Centre in Falenica, the Multicultural Centre, the Nowolipie Group, Dorożkarnia Cultural Centre, the Warsaw-Grochów Remand Prison, and the Anti-Crisis Club. The main event, during which the panorama was collectively created, took place on June 28, 2025, at Central Square next to the Palace of Culture and Science.

Number of Workshops and Method of Implementation
As part of the project, six workshops were held to design sections of the panorama, led by Warsaw-based artists. Participants created their own concepts and sketches of the panorama’s “puzzle pieces,” which were later transferred onto large-format plastic fabrics. During the final event, these puzzle pieces were collectively painted with acrylic paints according to the prepared designs.

Workshop Facilitators
Renowned artists and cultural animators were involved in the project:

• Robert Kwaśniewski (Anti-Crisis Club)
• Waladek Petryk and Irshad Manammal (Multicultural Centre, Polish Migration Forum)
• Joanna Świerczyńska and Julia Bistuła (Nowolipie Group)
• Edyta Kranc (Warsaw-Grochów Remand Prison)
• Praktis (Regional Youth Educational Centre in Falenica)
• Agnieszka Sadurska (Dorożkarnia Cultural Centre)

Project Curator: Damian Kalita, Head of the Education Department at Teatr Studio Gallery.
Project Coordinator: Małgorzata Brus, Fundacja Dom Kultury.

Participants
The project involved individuals from marginalized groups, migrants, people experiencing homelessness, seniors, people with disabilities, inmates, as well as all interested residents of Warsaw and tourists.

Partners
In implementing this remarkable project, we collaborated with STUDIO teatrgaleria, Bar Studio, PKiN Sp. z o.o., the Polish Migration Forum, Nowolipie Group, the Regional Youth Educational Centre in Falenica, and the Warsaw-Grochów Remand Prison.

Project Timeline
The project was implemented from March 14 to July 31, 2025.
The final event took place on June 28, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Graphics: Magdalena Gładecka

 

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A Summer Workshop Camp for Romani Youth and Civil Society Organizations from the Visegrad Group Countries

Amaro Romano rat – Romani song lyrics

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Summer Workshop Camp 2025: Miro Romano rat, miro barwalipen – My Roma blood, my wealth

In the second half of August 2025, the next edition of the Summer Workshop Camp – a week-long workshop camp for Roma youth from the Visegrad countries – took place at the International Youth Meeting Centre in Krzyżowa, Poland.

The event brought together four partner organizations: Fundacja Dom Kultury (Poland – project leader), Vzájemné soužití o.p.s. (Czech Republic), ETP Slovensko (Slovakia), and Khetanipe Romano Centro (Hungary). The project was made possible thanks to the support of the International Visegrad Fund.

The camp was designed for Roma youth from Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary. As in previous years, 24 participants – both girls and boys aged 13 to 23 – were selected by the partner organizations. The main goal of SWC 2025 was to develop social skills, strengthen Roma identity, and foster international collaboration among organizations working with the Roma community.

A special role was played by the venue itself – the International Youth Meeting Centre in Krzyżowa, operated by the Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe. Participants had access to fully equipped workshop rooms, including beautiful halls in a historic palace, integration spaces, a large park, sports fields, and a community garden full of herbs and cherry tomatoes – perfect for shared meals. Vegetarian and vegan meals were also available, and the entire space was accessible to people with disabilities.

The camp opened with a late-night bonfire while waiting for all groups to arrive. Though everyone was tired after the journey, curiosity and excitement were in the air. From the very first day, workshops were in full swing. Each group gave a short presentation about their organization and its activities. Then began several days of Roma identity and storytelling workshops, led by Dr. Monika Szewczyk from Jagiellonian University – a Roma scholar and activist. Her sessions encouraged participants to explore their personal and family histories and to find meaning in their roots.

One of the camp highlights was the video and rap workshop led by filmmaker and music creator Delfin Łakatosz. Participants wrote their own lyrics, which they then performed and recorded. The result was a moving video clip capturing their voices, stories, and shared experience at SWC 2025.

Equally powerful were the Roma cooking workshops, led by Dziunia Biz – a warm, charismatic cook, artist, and performer. Everyone took part in preparing traditional dishes that included foraged herbs, wild apples, and plums. Dziunia gladly shared the secrets of her recipes, and the kitchen became a space of joy, storytelling, and community.

Another key part of the program was focused on environmental awareness and sustainable development. During the “Save the Planet” session, the group discussed the impact of industrial meat production and prepared a fully vegan lunch together. Since traditional Roma cuisine is typically meat-based, organizers initially had concerns about how the group would respond. However, those fears quickly vanished. The participants embraced the challenge and – importantly – chose what they wanted to cook themselves. The result was a colourful spread: Hungarian lecsó, Czech-style dumplings, and a variety of vegetable-based spreads and dishes that everyone enjoyed with enthusiasm.

Evenings were filled with games, dances, and group bonding. One night, the Slovak team organized a thrilling scavenger hunt through the forest and surrounding village – a creative and slightly spooky terrain game that brought lots of excitement.

The final day of the camp featured a trip to Świdnica, where the scouts from the “Mrówkojady” troop prepared an engaging urban game. After returning to Krzyżowa, everyone gathered for the closing music and dance workshops led by Angelo Ciureja, accompanied by dancers Klara and Otylia from the group Romano Drom. The evening ended with a deeply emotional moment: a group performance of the Roma anthem “Gelem Gelem”, which brought the whole camp together in unity and pride. Afterward, participants shared a last meal by the fire and reflected on their time together.

SWC 2025 was full of incredible people, each contributing something unique. From Slovakia came group leaders Dávid and Antoine, along with youth participants Maroš, Anastázia, Jaroslava, Lukáš, Mária, and Kristián. From Czechia came leaders Věra and Milan, with special guest Kumar Vishwanathan, and youth participants Nikola, Jozef, Tomas, Nela, and Samanta. A new partner this year was Khetanipe Romano Centro from Hungary, with leaders Adrienn and Abigel and participants András, Szilárd, Dávid, Bianka, Rómeó, and Renátó. Representing Poland were Gloria, Alwaro, and Valeriia, with group leader Marta.

Though each person arrived from a different country, speaking a different language and carrying different experiences, in Krzyżowa they formed a community. What remains are the photos, videos, new skills and knowledge – but most importantly, the connections, memories, and warmth that each person took home in their heart.

Programme Summer Workshop Camp – Krzyżowa 2025

The project is co-financed by the Governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.

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More about the Grantor

Fundacja Dom Kultury

Vzájemné soužití

ETP Slovensko

Khetanipe Romano Centro

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Summer Workshop Camp – Warszawa 2024

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Summer Workshop Camp – Oświęcim 2023

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Graphics: Klaudia Borawiak

“Promotion of Reading in Prisons” – A Pioneering Educational Project in 8 Penitentiary Units in 2025

“Promotion of Reading in Prisons” was our new project, which, for the first time in Poland, simultaneously encompassed eight penitentiary units! Throughout 2025, in cooperation with the Prison Service, experts, actors, and educators, we implemented a structured program aimed at developing reading habits among inmates.

Through literary workshops, performative reading sessions, special reading corners in prison libraries, and literary broadcasts aired on prison radio networks, we reached over 5,000 individuals serving their sentences in correctional facilities and detention centers.

Where will the project be implemented?

The program will be conducted in eight penitentiary units across Poland:
Warsaw-Białołęka Detention Center
Warsaw-Grochów Detention Center
Warsaw-Służewiec Detention Center
Poznań Detention Center
Grójec Detention Center
Radom Detention Center
Rawicz Prison
Krzywaniec Prison

The project ran from March 1 to December 31, 2025, including both in-person sessions and remote activities in the form of literary audio programs.

Who will lead the sessions?

Mgr Justyna Żarczyńska – co-author of the project, art historian, art therapist, curator at the National Museum in Poznań, author of numerous articles on literature and culture, and creator of the blog „Justyna Czytuje.”

Piotr Prasuła – curator at the Adam Mickiewicz Museum of Literature, expert in Polish literature and its historical contexts.

Experts from the Polish Language Foundation:
– Prof. Dorota Jedynak-Zdunkiewicz – specialist in language and literature.
– Dr. Paulina Potasińska – researcher of Warsaw-related literature.
– Dr. Helena Balcerek – linguist and expert in literary education.

Kinga Kosik-Burzyńska, Krzysztof Dziuba, and actors from Klub Szyderców Bis and Klub Komediowy conducted performative reading workshops. 

Mati Fuczyło– journalist, rapper, and beatboxer from Radio Eska – produced literary broadcasts for prison radio networks.

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Project Program

The project consisted of four key activities, designed not only to promote reading but also to develop interpretative skills and literary reflection among participants – individuals serving prison sentences.

1. Literary Sessions – Exploring Satire and Essays

Inmates explored the works of Polish masters of humor and satire, including Antoni Słonimski, Julian Tuwim, Magdalena Samozwaniec, Ludwik Puget, and Jan Maria Swinarski, along with the historical context of their writings.

2. Performative Reading Workshops

Actors assisted participants in developing reading-aloud skills, working on intonation, diction, and text interpretation.

3. Special Reading Corners in Prison Libraries

Each participating correctional facility established a satirical literature section, where inmates had access to books related to the themes discussed in the workshops.

4. Literary Broadcasts in Prison Radio Networks

Mati Fuczyło produced recordings featuring read-aloud excerpts from books, expert discussions, and inmate reflections. This initiative reached those who could not participate in workshops – enabling over 5,000 inmates to access literature from their cells.

Why was this project unique?

– The first project in Poland implemented simultaneously in 8 prisons
– A unique combination of workshops, performative reading, and literary audio programs
– Reached thousands of inmates through prison radio broadcasts
– Involved collaboration with top literary scholars, actors, and educators
– Supported by the Prison Service and cultural sector partners

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“Let’s Laugh! On Witty Writers Not Only from Warsaw” Justyna Żarczyńska Opens the “Promotion of Reading in Prisons” Project

Justyna Żarczyńska Opened the “Promotion of Reading in Prisons” Project**

With humour, passion, and deep knowledge – this was how Justyna Żarczyńska, co-author of the “Promotion of Reading in Prisons” programme, launched the first literary meeting in one of the correctional facilities. Her lecture, titled “Let’s Laugh! On Witty Writers Not Only from Warsaw”, took the audience on a journey into the world of interwar satire and cabaret, showing literature as a space not only for reflection but also for laughter.

The participants – inmates – listened with interest as Żarczyńska talked about legendary places such as the Pod Picadorem café and the Qui Pro Quo cabaret. She introduced the most prominent figures of that cultural scene – from Hanka Ordonówna and Adolf Dymsza to Antoni Słonimski, the patron of 2025.

The lecture also looked beyond Warsaw. Attendees learned about the vibrant cabaret scene in Poznań, including groups such as Ździebko and the Club of Mockers. A particularly engaging part of the session was the reflection on the role of women in the literary and cabaret life of the interwar period.

Justyna Żarczyńska conducted the meeting with a great sense of humour and sensitivity to the audience, which resulted in lively reactions from the participants. Her lecture not only opened the series of 32 planned sessions as part of the project but also clearly showed that literature can be a starting point for conversations about values, freedom, and identity – even in such an unusual setting as a prison.

Stay with us and follow the progress of the project on the Facebook page of Fundacja Dom Kultury!

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Subsidized with funds from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage from the Fund for Promotion of Culture – state purpose fund

In the prison library, photo: Małgorzata Brus

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„Promotion of Reading in Prisons” – A Pioneering Educational Project in 8 Penitentiary Units in 2025

„Promotion of Reading in Prisons” is our new project, which, for the first time in Poland, will simultaneously encompass eight penitentiary units! Throughout 2025, in cooperation with the Prison Service, experts, actors, and educators, we will implement a structured program aimed at developing reading habits among inmates.

Through literary workshops, performative reading sessions, special reading corners in prison libraries, and literary broadcasts aired on prison radio networks, we will reach over 5,000 individuals serving their sentences in correctional facilities and detention centers.

Where will the project be implemented?

The program will be conducted in eight penitentiary units across Poland:

•  Warsaw-Białołęka Detention Center
• Warsaw-Grochów Detention Center
• Warsaw-Służewiec Detention Center
• Poznań Detention Center
• Grójec Detention Center
• Radom Detention Center
• Rawicz Prison
• Krzywaniec Prison

 The project will run from March 1 to December 31, 2025, including both in-person sessions and remote activities in the form of literary audio programs.

Who will lead the sessions?

Mgr Justyna Żarczyńska – co-author of the project, art historian, art therapist, curator at the National Museum in Poznań, author of numerous articles on literature and culture, and creator of the blog „Justyna Czytuje.”

Piotr Prasuła – curator at the Adam Mickiewicz Museum of Literature, expert in Polish literature and its historical contexts.

Experts from the Polish Language Foundation:

Prof. Dorota Jedynak-Zdunkiewicz – specialist in language and literature.

Dr. Paulina Potasińska – researcher of Warsaw-related literature.

Dr. Helena Balcerek – linguist and expert in literary education.

Actors from Klub Szyderców Bis and Klub Komediowy, who will conduct performative reading workshops.
Mati Fuczyło – journalist, rapper, and beatboxer from Radio Eska, who will produce literary broadcasts for prison radio networks.

Project Program
The project consists of four key activities, designed not only to promote reading but also to develop interpretative skills and literary reflection among participants – individuals serving prison sentences.

1. Literary Sessions – Exploring Satire and Essays
   Inmates will explore the works of Polish masters of humor and satire, including Antoni Słonimski, Julian Tuwim, Magdalena Samozwaniec, Ludwik Puget, and Jan Maria Swinarski, along with the historical context of their writings.
2. Performative Reading Workshops
   Actors will assist participants in developing reading-aloud skills, working on intonation, diction, and text interpretation.
3. Special Reading Corners in Prison Libraries
   Each participating correctional facility will establish a satirical literature section, where inmates will have access to books related to the themes discussed in the workshops.
4. Literary Broadcasts in Prison Radio Networks
   Mati Fuczyło will produce recordings featuring read-aloud excerpts from books, expert discussions, and inmate reflections. This initiative will reach those who cannot participate in workshops – enabling over 5,000 inmates to access literature from their cells.
   

Why is this project unique?

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Dofinansowano ze środków Ministra Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego pochodzących z Funduszu Promocji Kultury

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Polish-Slovak Roma Concert – A Shared Cultural Space in Europe

Although today they live on opposite sides of the border, the Galician Roma still speak the same language — the language of music, dance, and shared traditions. The Polish-Slovak Roma Concert proved that Roma culture not only transcends national borders but is also a vibrant, colorful part of European culture that can bring people together regardless of language or place of residence.

On June 14, 2025, the Polish-Slovak Roma Concert took place at the Art Exhibitions Bureau in Krosno, becoming a true feast of music and culture. The event was organized by our Foundation as part of the SYNERGIE program and formed part of the celebrations of Poland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union. The main goal of the concert was to bring people together, showcase the richness of Roma culture, and build bridges between communities.

On stage, the band Romano Iło, led by Łukasz Andrasz, performed traditional Roma music from the Podkarpacie region in a fresh, modern style. The audience also had the chance to hear the band Sila v mladosti from Stará Ľubovňa, who brought music from the Slovak Roma community of the Prešov region.

One of the most exciting moments was the jam session, where musicians from Poland and Slovakia improvised together, exchanging arrangements and infectious energy. There were also Roma dances that drew both the artists and the audience into the lively atmosphere.

The concert aimed to show that Roma culture is an important part of European heritage and that playing and singing together can bring people closer, regardless of their background. The event was organized in cooperation with ETP Slovensko, which prepared the Slovak side of the repertoire and co-promoted the entire initiative.

The concert was co-financed by the National Centre for Culture under the SYNERGIE program.

The entire evening was hosted by Przemek Polański and Rajmund Siwak from Krosno, who created a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The Polish-Slovak Roma Concert left behind many emotions and beautiful memories. It showed that music and dance truly have the power to connect people and create a space for understanding. Watch the video clip to feel its atmosphere!

The „Polish-Slovak Roma Concert” project is an exceptional initiative carried out as part of the SYNERGIE program, aimed at promoting European values through cultural activities. This initiative aligns with the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2025, including social solidarity, activating diverse social groups, and supporting young people in their development.
About the Project
In Krosno, a center of Roma community life in Poland, an event will bring together Roma musicians from Poland and Slovakia. The concert is scheduled for June 14, 2025, and will take place at the Art Exhibition Bureau (Biuro Wystaw Artystycznych) in Krosno.

CONCERT PROGRAM

• Performance by „Romano Iło”, of which the leader  Łukasz Andrasz, showcasing traditional Roma music from the Podkarpacie region in a modern rendition.
  Performance by „Sila v mladosti” from Stará Ľubovňa, presenting music of Slovak Roma from the Prešov region (historic Spiš).
• Jam session, where Polish and Slovak musicians will create a space for improvisation and artistic exchange.
• Dancing!

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Goals of the Project
The „Polish-Slovak Roma Concert” aims to:

• Foster integration of local and international communities, in line with UNESCO’s principle of „leaving no one behind.”
• Strengthen the sense of belonging of local communities to the European Union by highlighting the richness of Roma culture as a vital part of shared heritage.
• Create a platform for artistic collaboration between Roma and non-Roma musicians, encouraging the exchange of experiences and inspiration.

Partnership
The project is implemented in collaboration with ETP Slovensko, an organization supporting Roma communities in Slovakia. The partner is responsible for selecting artists, preparing the repertoire, and promoting the event. These joint efforts ensure a synergistic fusion of experiences and perspectives from both sides, enriching the project’s character.
A Broader Perspective
Thanks to funding from the National Centre for Culture’s SYNERGIE program, our event emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and collective cultural efforts. The online broadcast will allow a wide audience in Poland and abroad to experience the concert, highlighting the universal dimension of European values.
The „Polish-Slovak Roma Concert” exemplifies how culture can build bridges, connect generations, and strengthen the sense of community across Europe.

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Co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage as part of the cultural programme of the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU in 2025 under the SYNERGIE grant programme

Fot. Małgorzata Brus

Fot. Małgorzata Brus