Workers against worker's authorities

The Muzeum Powstania Poznańskiego - Czerwiec'56 (the Museum of Poznań Uprising - June 1956), Centrum Kultury Zamek ("Zamek" Culture Centre), Ulica Święty Marcin 80/82

The house of an average Poznań family, in the mid 1950s. In the corner there is a tile stove, on the wall a picture of the Virgin Mary, some china getting dusty in a cupboard. In the street we pass a green tram with wooden seats and the door of the Polish United Workers? Party Regional Committee. We can hear the voices of dignitaries behind it. Suddenly, there's a noise, shots, a crowd gathers. We run with the crowd, straight into the arms of the militia. Then there's an interrogation, a lamp shines straight into our faces as a secret police agent sits behind a wooden desk. Finally, there is a small cell with a hard bunk and a political show trial.

This is the path visitors take through the Muzeum Powstania Poznańskiego - Czerwiec'56. This was when the workers from the Joseph Stalin Metal Works in Poznań (today named the Hipolit Cegielski Metal Industry Complex) went on strike and out into the streets, demanding work and bread. The demonstration quickly changed into a straight-forward riot, in which the protesters took over control of the prison, court and prosecutor's offices. To pacify the demonstration the communist authorities used ten thousand soldiers and over three hundred tanks. Dozens of people died, hundreds were arrested. In June 1956 in Poznań Polish workers demonstrated against the authority of the Workers? Party for the first time.

More tips: "Zrób to w Poznaniu. Przewodnik alternatywny. Do it in Poznań. Alternative guide"