Today we would like to remind you about our key project LAYERS OF MEMORY, which gathers our previous interactive projects in one place and whose portal can be found at https://rdi.org.pl/english/layers-of-memory
LAYERS OF REMEMBRANCE are interactive maps that feature dots showing prominent Poles and the sites of personal and cultural losses inflicted by the occupiers on Polish citizens during the German and Soviet occupations.
The project recalls famous people, their achievements and successes, as well as places associated with the martyrdom of Poles during World War II within the borders of post-Yalta Poland and, as part of the latest project, in the Zamosc district.
The resulting layers show scientific inventions, sports medals and places of execution of Polish citizens. The created maps are an element of dissemination of the true history of Poland and famous Poles and a tool for historical education, as well as a reminder of the people for whose successes Polish Scientific Thought is famous, outstanding athletes and events that took place during World War II.
The layer „ Martyrology of the Polish Nation” , shows the scale of the drama of our nation during and after World War II. It presents nearly 18,000 symbolic places that witnessed the tragedy and suffering of Polish society. Each of these places has its own unique history, which has been preserved and made available so that the memory of the victims of German and Soviet crimes is not obliterated. The map we have developed, depicting the places of extermination of Polish citizens, is intended to commemorate the victims and show the true story that exposes the extent of the crimes committed against Poles.
„Polish Scientific Thought” is a layer presenting the figures of outstanding scientists who have had a significant impact on the development of science and Polish scientific achievements, and have contributed to the development of science around the world. Through the creation of this layer, we aim to commemorate Polish scientists and recall their biographies, showing their life paths. We want to bring closer the knowledge of their achievements and perpetuate the memory of Poles who significantly contributed to the development of Polish scientific thought, becoming irreplaceable figures for the development of world science as well. With this initiative, we want to emphasize that their contribution is extremely important, and without their achievements, science could not exist as we know it today. This layer refers to the rich intellectual contributions and achievements of Polish scholars and scientists throughout history. Poland has produced many distinguished scientists who have contributed to significant breakthroughs in fields such as astronomy, chemistry, physics, medicine, mathematics, computer science, engineering and the social sciences, as we wanted to show.
The „Polish Athletes” layer is intended to highlight the achievements of Polish athletes, but also to commemorate their achievements in the most accessible way to disseminate and popularize the history of Poland, of which sports are an integral part. Many notable athletes have become national heroes, but also ambassadors of the Polish Cause in world arenas, hence the idea to commemorate their achievements, especially since many well-known athletes, especially from the beginning of the last century, have already been forgotten, and carry important successes for our history, both sporting and national based on patriotic attitudes.
The last stage of the portal so far is the „Zamojszczyzna” project, which differs in form from the previous ones, and shows the displacement action of Zamojszczyzna district residents, which took place mainly in the years 1941-1943. It was Zamojszczyzna that turned out to be the place of experience, which was to serve as a model for the plan of extermination of the Slavs, in accordance with the Nazi idea of racial supremacy, and was the first settlement area of Germany. The project demonstrates the types and extent of damage and the anticipated values of compensation that can be demanded from the occupier by the families of the victims.
The LAYERS OF MEMORY portal provides a rich and multidimensional view of the past, presenting a variety of perspectives and experiences related to historical, sports and scientific events, showcasing places from different historical periods. It allows users to better understand the various contexts and meanings associated with a given topic, learn about the lives and major achievements of famous Poles, and delve into special places associated with the martyrdom of our nation. It offers interactive tools and features that allow users to delve deeper into Polish history. Users can view memoirs, photos and even films (the „Polish Athletes” layer) or documentaries, as in the section dedicated to the warfare in the Zamojszczyzna area, which allows users to build a common narrative and deepen their knowledge.
The portal uses map technology to allow users to discover specific places related to history. Through interactive solutions, users can explore different locations and learn about the stories associated with specific places and people.
LAYERS OF MEMORY also has an educational function, promoting historical and cultural awareness and encouraging reflection on the past. It can be used for both didactic and socio-cultural purposes to contribute to a broader understanding and respect for cultural diversity and historical heritage.
The platform is open to diverse social and age groups, encouraging active learning about and preservation of cultural heritage. Collaboration between local communities, NGOs, cultural institutions and historical researchers is vital to the portal’s success. However, its implementation would not have been possible if it were not also for your support, for which we sincerely thank you.
Thus, together we have created a place that is becoming an important tool in building bridges between the past and the present, and in preserving and promoting cultural and historical diversity.
Our next goal is to expand the functionality of each map to include virtual walks and transformations over time to encourage your active participation and cooperation in documenting and preserving cultural heritage. If this direction is dear to you, you can support the further development of the project by using the „Support the Project” button at https://rdi.org.pl/english/layers-of-memory/.
