Gwarna – Experts’ Workshop: How to design a place of remembrance?

events Programme

On May 21, 2025, a unique meeting dedicated to designing places of remembrance took place in Wrocław. During this 1-day event experts from various fields and disciplines from Wrocław and Warsaw, local students and activists met to jointly consider how to - on the example of the Gwarna Jewish Cemetery - responsibly shape spaces commemorating difficult history. From 11:00 to 16:00, in the meeting space of the Ibis Styles Wrocław Centrum Hotel at Konstytucji 3 Maja Square - located next to the Jewish cemetery on Gwarna Street - participants followed a program composed of presentations, expert discussions and a site visit.

The workshop organized by the Urban Memory Foundation focused on the space located at Gwarna Street – a place almost completely forgotten, but once full of significance. The site was a Jewish cemetery since 18th century, then gradually destroyed from the begining of the 20th century, during and after World War II. Today it's almost invisible in the urban landscape. In 2022, UMF initiated a process of symbolically and visually restoring the memory of this place through an artistic installation by Anna Schapiro. The workshop was another step in the dierection of potential commemoration.

The meeting became a space open to dialogue and cooperation - an opportunity to reflect on how contemporary society understands and interprets history. The participants looked at issues related to collective memory, the carrier of which is space - not only as a physical place, but also as a field of tensions, emotions and values.

Together they sought answers to these questions:

- How to create places of memory that are alive, open and do not impose a single narrative?
- How to combine elements of architecture, art, landscape and functionality with respect for Jewish law and social sensitivity?
- How to design spaces that teach, inspire and encourage reflection?

The program included a site visit and discussion sessions during which experts and students reflected on recommendations for the potential architectural international competition for the design of a permanent green commemoration at Gwarna Street.

PROGRAM

For experts
11.00 - 13.00 Expert session - part I (Walk/site visit of Gwarna & analyses)
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.00 Expert session - part II (Discussion & planning solutions)
15.00 - 16.00 Summary and writing recommendations (with students)

For students
13.00 - 13:45 Guided tour of Gwarna site with Q&A
14.00 - 16.00 Participation in expert session, summary and writing recommendations

Students were invited to actively participate in the afternoon part – first as part of a guided tour to the cemetery site, and then as observers and participants of the final discussion. The outcome of the workshop was surprising - instead of planning an architectual competition for the cemetery site the experts and participating students agreed that before that activity os launched another step is needed - a series of heritage walks creating positive narrative around the space.

📸 Józef Legierski