The Institute - Instytut Pileckiego

Totalitarianism and authoritarianism in regional and global perspective. World War II – migrations – reckonings – transition – memory – reconciliation and dialogue in the 20th century. The mission of the Pilecki Institute

The mission of the Pilecki Institute is to conduct high-quality and objective research that is free of any ideological influence, as well as to commemorate and document 20th-century history, especially the experiences of Polish citizens. The dissemination of the Institute’s work is intended to support the functioning of civil societies, primarily by promoting knowledge about the fate of people affected by and involved in life under totalitarian rule.

The Institute’s academic activity focuses on the implementation of interdisciplinary research projects devoted to the issues of totalitarianism and authoritarianism in the “age of extremes,” matters of punishment and redress for crimes and persecution, as well as various forms of resistance and opposition to oppressive systems, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. The Institute offers scholarships for researchers from Poland and abroad, which are intended to increase interest in the functioning of civil societies in the context of oppressive systems of the 20th century and to encourage further in-depth research. In recent years, the Pilecki Institute has created favorable conditions for academic work: researches have at their disposal a well-equipped library and digital archives with access to numerous documents from archives around the world. Eyewitness accounts are collected on an ongoing basis as part of the Institute’s two projects: “Chronicles of Terror” and “Witnesses to the Age.” These accounts significantly expand and supplement our knowledge of everyday life in occupied Europe and the destructive power of totalitarian and authoritarian systems. An important part of research is the publication of the work of the Institute’s employees: monographs, collective works, critical editions of sources, and journals, which makes it possible to introduce them into academic circulation. Our translation program makes the latest findings in global humanities available to Polish readers.

The commemorative efforts of the Institute seek to present and honor commendable behaviors of people who, despite falling victim to 20th-century totalitarian regimes, retained their humanity. The first such program is the Virtus et Fraternitas medal, which is bestowed by the President of the Republic of Poland as a token of remembrance and gratitude to those who aided Polish citizens in difficult times. There is also the “Called by Name” program dedicated to commemorating Poles who lost their lives because they helped their Jewish neighbors. Until now, the program has been centered exclusively around the rescuers; in its modified form, it will seek to present a fuller picture: the broad historical context of the actions of the Righteous Among the Nations, i.e. the situation of Jews in Polish society during the Second Polish Republic, life under German and Soviet occupation, as well as memory about these events during the Polish People’s Republic. Emphasis will be placed on the situation of all actors – not only the rescuers, but also the victims, perpetrators and witnesses involved after the war in uncovering the crimes and their circumstances – as well as on the place of the Righteous in their local environments. The program aims to paint as objective a picture as possible of Polish-Jewish relations in the 20th century, but it is also important for local communities and their history, as it brings often completely forgotten figures back from oblivion, which can prove instrumental in developing local identity.

Research conducted by and under the auspices of the Institute as well as knowledge about the commemorated persons are promoted in Poland and abroad. The Pilecki Institute has a branch in Berlin and subsidiaries in Rapperswil and New York. The Augustów Roundup Memorial House will soon be opened in Augustów. Numerous exhibitions and educational offerings – workshops, lectures, and urban games – create an interesting program that presents the difficult topics of 20th-century history in an attractive way and is an important element of the public dialogue on war and peace.

In recent years, the eyes of the world have turned to Central and Eastern Europe, especially Ukraine, whose situation proves that the issues of totalitarian and authoritarian systems and their crimes are still relevant today. This has posed new challenges to the Institute, which – in view of the ongoing war in Ukraine – once again raises the question about the time period studied by our institution: should the classic understanding of the totalitarian and authoritarian systems be confined to the 20th century?

The Institute’s attention will invariably be devoted to the figure of our patron, Cavalry Captain Witold Pilecki, whose life story combines the experience of both totalitarian regimes – the German and the Soviet – with the hope for a free and independent Poland. The Institute feels obliged to undertake research on his biography and that of his entourage. We also seek to further promote the knowledge about Witold Pilecki and his tragic fate – a goal which we hope to achieve through increased cooperation with other entities named after him, especially schools.