In May 2024, at first glance, it seems difficult to imagine a less favorable international context for celebrating the 20th anniversary of Poland's membership in the EU than the conditions still prevailing just beyond the eastern borders of both the EU and Poland. The ongoing full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine, which has been raging for over two years, and the troubling political developments in Georgia under Russian influence, provide an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the European integration process for Poland – and vice versa.

Looking back to Poland's accession to the EU in May 2004, it is important to remember that this moment marked both an end and a beginning. It effectively closed the so-called post-communist period, during which Poles – along with Czechs, Slovaks, Hungarians, Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Slovenians, and later Bulgarians and Romanians who joined the Union three years later – underwent a deep political, economic, and social transformation that enabled them to join the common market and community formed over half a century earlier during the Cold War's geopolitical division of the European continent. In this context, the frequently cited phrase "return to Europe," as seen on the cover of the May 1, 2004 issue of the weekly magazine Polityka (no. 18 (2450)), aptly reflected the satisfaction of many Poles with the achievements of the few years that had passed since the start of the systemic transformation in 1989.

We joyfully recall the exceptional final concert of the international project "MUSIC FOR FUTURE" which took place on July 6, 2024, at the Center for Performing Arts (Piekarnia Żywa Kultura) in Wrocław. The concert featured a youth orchestra composed of talented young musicians from Poland, Ukraine, and Germany. It was not only a musical event but also a celebration of integration, mutual understanding, and collective creativity.

The concert began with a brief yet emotional piece by Terry Riley, "In C" setting the enchanting tone for the evening.

Following this, speeches and greetings were delivered:

Dorota Krajdocha, Board Member and Managing Director of the Krzyżowa Foundation, warmly welcomed everyone and emphasized the importance of international cooperation.

Yurii Tokar, Consul General of Ukraine in Wrocław, expressed his joy at participating in such a unique event.

Torsten Göhler, Deputy Consul General of Germany in Wrocław, highlighted the significance of culture and music in building bridges between nations.

Young people from Fürstenwalde Spree, Skawina and Peremyshlany met in Krzyżowa on 11-17.05.2024 to get to know each other, break stereotypes and create beautiful memories together. During the project, the young people got to know each other and developed teamwork competences and knowledge about their countries during integration and cultural workshops.

From the second half of February until the end of April, Krzyżowa Foundation conducted workshops on civic education as part of the project 'Remember the Rebel'. Their aim was to raise discussion about the foundations of democracy, the relevance of statutory law to the changing needs of society and the limits of civil disobedience.

The workshops were conducted at schools and at the Ossoliński National Institute in Wrocław, where an exhibition presenting the profiles of nine people who had the courage and determination to defy the status quo was on display throughout April.

A total of 465 pupils from Poland, Ukraine and Belarus took part in the workshop.

For Polish teachers who are interested in the topics addressed by the project, we have prepared a special e-publication. It includes a lesson scenario (available only in Polish) adapted to the Polish school curriculum, and supplementary materials.

A conference preceding the official opening of the exhibition '1939-1945: Years that Changed the World' took place in Krzyżowa on 19 April 2024. The exhibition was specifically designed for schoolchildren and teachers and tells the story of the causes, course and long-term consequences of the Second World War. It presents these events in the broadest possible context and from different perspectives. So that it is comprehensible not only to a Polish audience, but also to people from other countries who visit Krzyżowa.

The exhibition consists of two parts. The first presents the origins and course of the Second World War, the differences between occupation policies in the West and East of Europe, and shows what resistance looked like in different European countries - including the activities of the anti-Nazi opposition in Germany. The second part of the exhibition discusses the key issues necessary for understanding history and its consequences. As well as showing the mechanisms of hatred that led to the Holocaust, the different attitudes displayed by people who experienced the war and occupation and the differences in Polish and German memories of the war are discussed. The exhibition also addresses the contemporary consequences of the Second World War - from conflicts in Africa, genocide in the former Yugoslavia, to Russia's criminal attack on Ukraine.

On the last weekend of May, the Bosch Alumni Forum was held in Krzyzowa for the third time!
The Bosch Alumni Forum was attended by more than 50 people from all over the world with their families. This is an annual meeting of alumni and graduates of various programs of the Robert Bosch Foundation.

We are very pleased to announce that the project called "A good start for preschoolers from the Municipality of Świdnica" (project number FEDS.08.01-IZ.00-0070/23) has received financial support from the European Union under the European Social Fund Plus and the European Funds for Lower Silesia 2021-2027 program (Priority 8. European Funds for education in Lower Silesia, Measure 8.1. Access to education).

On 14.06 we launched a new project with the graceful name "Gardens at schools as a tool for community education, integration and adaptation."
The project is about establishing gardens, food production, our food habits, as well as recreational, artistic and therapeutic values. We passed the time getting to know each other's students, teachers and parents from the Elementary Schools of Lutomia Dolna, Grodziszcz and Witoszow Dolny, where educational gardens will be created.

The 85th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, which falls in 2024, as well as the 35th anniversary of the Reconciliation Mass at Krzyżowa, provide an excellent opportunity to familiarise German audiences with the historical experiences of Poles and Poles and to sensitise them to the differences in Polish and German memories of these events. These are special events, as they focus on both the extremely negative experiences of Europe, especially of the Polish-German neighbourhood, which should not only be a warning but also a point of constant reflection. As well as the positive ones, which should still inspire us today to think about the strength of civil society and models for our mutual relations.

Our Foundation, in cooperation with the "Pamięć i Przyszłość” Center, is launching a new educational project, entitled "Perhaps returning to Europe is too weak a term... Poland on the Road to NATO and the European Union. The history and significance of the 1989-2004 transition.

The anniversaries of the landmark events that decided the shape and position of modern Poland, which fall this year - the 35th anniversary of the June elections, the 25th anniversary of Poland's joining NATO and the 20th anniversary of Poland's accession to the European Union - are an opportunity to take a fresh look at the transformations that took place over those crucial 15 years (1989-2004) and to bring this knowledge closer to the widest possible groups of young people and adults.

We are delighted to invite you to the 24th Summer Guitar Festival, which will take place from July 14th to July 21st, 2024 in Krzyżowa. This unique musical event, organized by the Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe and the Centre for Culture and Arts in Wrocław, will bring together outstanding guitarists from Poland and abroad, offering unforgettable concerts and a rich artistic program.

During the festival, you will have the opportunity to attend a series of concerts, workshops, and meetings with guitar masters. The festival program includes:

July 15, 2024 / MONDAY

20:00-21:30 Concert: Mateusz Kowalski, Feliks Jakubowski – Grand Prix Martinez 2023
Where: Krzyżowa, multifunctional hall
Admission: Free

July 16, 2024 / TUESDAY

19:30-22:30 Martinez Competition
Where: Krzyżowa, multifunctional hall
Admission: Free

From August to September 2024, a special event will take place in Krzyżowa, bringing together world-renowned musicians of our time along with a select group of young artists from the classical music scene across Europe. As part of the anniversary program of Krzyżowa-Music, the "College of Seniors" – including Jacques Ammon, Shmuel Ashkenasi, Viviane Hagner, Midori, Nils Mönckemeyer, Matthias Kirschnereit, and Eckard Runge – will collaborate with talented "Juniors." This unique gathering in Krzyżowa will create an unparalleled atmosphere where musicians will explore chamber music works together and prepare the program for the summer concerts of Krzyżowa-Music.

The Krzyżowa-Music workshops and concerts in Lower Silesia will take place from August 29 to September 8, 2024. At the end, a selected group of musicians will embark on an autumn concert tour across Poland and Germany, sharing their passion and talent with an even broader audience.

Foundation „Krzyżowa” for Mutual Understanding in Europe, Club of Catholic Intelligentsia, Plast – National Scout Organization of Ukraine and Kreisau-Initiative e. V invite youth leaders who work with children and teenagers with the experience of refuge, migration or being internally displaced for a Polish-German-Ukrainian exchange that will take place from 13th to 19th October, 2024.

The exchange of the youth leaders is part of a networking project „LIKHTAR / Ліхтар”

The exchange aims to provide the youth leaders with necessary tools for mutual understanding and cooperation with young people who experienced refugee and migration. The main goals are the development of leadership skills in young participants and gaining intercultural experience and practical knowledge.

Participants will be able to develop their leadership abilities, talk about interesting topics and have a chance to associate with people from different countries who have similar experiences. The project will focus on learning how to remain resilient, creative and how to foster self-confidence, compassion and hope.

The important aspect of this project is using art as a tool to talk about war and its effects. The project gives an opportunity to develop one’s competence and actively contribute to supporting youth in difficult life situations.