Family history of railways and the award-winning film „Trains”
On July 25th, starting at 4:00 PM, the Museum Station in Warsaw will become the venue for a unique meeting of railway history, family memories, and film archives. The event, accompanying the nationwide campaign by PKP S.A. and the State Archives „Memory of Railway Generations in State Archives,” will take place in the space of the former Main Station. The meeting is intended for railway enthusiasts, history buffs, individuals interested in family archives and genealogy, as well as anyone who wants to better understand the significant role the railway played in the lives of millions and in the history of Poland and Europe. The organizers have prepared a program that combines educational, historical, and cultural aspects.
One of the most important points will be a meeting with Artur Barcis - a theater and film actor, who will talk about his railway roots and ceremonially unveil the exhibition board dedicated to mementos left by his parents. In the second half of August, the exhibition will become part of a larger exhibition presented at the Warsaw Barbican, dedicated to the history of railways and materials recorded in documents and photographs stored in the State Archive in Warsaw.
Participants will also be able to consult with archivists and learn how to properly store, protect, and describe family archives. Specialists will explain why even individual photographs, letters, identification documents, or memories can have immense historical and research value.
During the event, the award-winning film „Trains” directed by Maciej J. Drygas will be screened. It is one of the most acclaimed Polish documentary works of recent years, built entirely from authentic archival footage. Without a narrator or dialogues, it guides the viewer through the history of the 20th century, telling the story of human dreams, hopes, journeys, and tragedies. Charlie Chaplin, among others, appears in this moving cinematic journey.
The film screening at Stacja.
The event is also a call to all individuals who keep railway memorabilia at home. On the 100th anniversary of Polish State Railways and the 200th anniversary of the birth of railways worldwide, the largest community collection of testimonies related to the history of Polish railway workers and their families is to be created. The organizers hope that stories similar to Artur Barciś's family history will inspire further donors to entrust their railway memorabilia to the State Archives. This will ensure that the memory of Polish railway workers, their families, and railway-related communities is preserved not only in home albums but also in the national archival resource accessible to future generations.
Detailed event program:
- 3:30 PM - Doors open for attendees
- 4:00 PM – Family archives, shared memory – meeting with Magdalena Wiercińska, director of the State Archive in Warsaw, dedicated to the creation and preservation of family archives
- 16:10 - Marek Teler's conversation with Artur Barciś
- 4:30 PM – Grand unveiling of the exhibition board dedicated to the history of railways and Artur Barciś's family mementos
- 4:40 PM – Screening of the film „Trains” directed by Maciej J. Drygas
Admission to the event is free, however, space is limited.
More information about Artur Barciś's family history:
