The drawings of Polish children from the Second planet War period were officially included in the UNESCO global Programme List "World Memory". It is simply a large discrimination not only for the collection itself, but besides for the full of Poland, which so strengthens its position among countries who especially care about preserving papers of exceptional historical value.
History with crayon
In 1946, the editorial magazine “Cross” announced a nationwide competition in which children were to present their war memories on paper. As a result, over 7,000 drawings and children's notebooks were collected up to the age of 13. The youngest author was only 2 years and 3 months old. Children drew everything they remembered – executions, raids, deaths of loved ones, escapes, forced resettlements, but besides moments of joy after the end of the war.
Today these drawings are 1 of the most moving sources of war from the position of the youngest. They were created on various materials – from wrapping paper to chalk paper – and various techniques, which only emphasizes their authenticity and emotional power of transmission.
The Voice of Those Who Didn't Grow Up
Much of the children who participated in the competition did not live to adulthood. Their work is frequently the only trace of them. Therefore, present they have not only documentary but besides symbolic value. It is the voice of those who the planet refused to perceive to – until now.
Dr. Paweł Pietrzyk, Chief manager of State Archives, emphasizes: “These are exceptional testimonies of children who were incapable to express themselves by word, but who left behind a poignant image of the reality of occupied Poland. For many of them, these drawings were the only way to process a massive trauma.”
Joint European project
The UNESCO entry was made as part of an global initiative called "The drawings and records of children from the war in Europe: 1914–1950", which was coordinated by the French Musée National de l’Éducation along with the global investigation and Archive Network for Historical Children’s Drawings network from Germany. The task was joined by institutions from Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain, large Britain, Canada, Switzerland and Ukraine.
International cooperation on this task was not only technological – it is besides an crucial motion of remembrance and solidarity with victims of war, regardless of their nationality.
State Archives Memory Guardian
The collection is included in the fresh Acts Archives, 1 of the 3 central units of the State Archives. Its presence on the UNESCO list is the ninth specified entry from the resources of this institution. As a result, Poland joins a narrow group of countries with the largest number of papers on the list of "World Memory".
Among another entries from Poland are, among others, the autograph of "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium" by Mikołaj Kopernik, manuscripts by Fryderyk Chopin and 21 posts by the Inter-founded Strike Committee of 1980.
International designation and educational value
The collection of children's drawings has already been presented worldwide as part of the exhibition “Mom, I don't want a war!” which visited over 30 cities in Poland and 40 countries abroad. The exhibition aroused large emotions – not only due to the artistic value of the works, but mainly due to their authenticity and sincerity of the message.
This heritage not only papers history, but does so from a position which has so far been overlooked besides frequently – children's. present these drawings are of large educational importance, helping young generations to realize the horrors of war and the importance of peace.
Poland remembers and reminds the world
Thanks to efforts of State Archives and global partners, Poland again proves that caring for historical heritage is not only an obligation, but besides a mission. The entry of children's drawings on the UNESCO global List "World Memory" is not only the success of archivists – it is besides a tribute to children who had to grow up besides early during the war.
