European Solidarity Centre

The European Solidarity Centre (ECS) in Gdańsk is a cultural institution established on November 8, 2007, with the aim of promoting the legacy of the "Solidarity" movement and building a European identity. It is located in the Młyniska district, within the Young City area, near Gate No. 2 and the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers. The building, designed by the Gdańsk-based architectural firm Fort, was opened on August 30, 2014, and covers an area of 25,349.75 m², including five floors and an underground parking lot with 286 spaces. The construction cost amounted to 231.1 million PLN, and its completion was delayed by one year compared to the original plans. The ECS features a permanent exhibition showcasing Poland's contemporary history and the Solidarity movement, as well as an archive, a library, a media center, and various educational and exhibition spaces. Within two months of its opening, the facility welcomed around 110,000 visitors, and it is estimated that 268,000 people visit it annually. The ECS also aims to serve as an agora for discussions on social justice. The Centre's management consists of a director, currently Basil Kerski, and a Board that includes representatives from various institutions, including the Ministry of Culture and the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union "Solidarity." The building houses the office of Lech Wałęsa, the first chairman of "Solidarity" and the only President of the Third Polish Republic elected in free elections. The ECS engages in educational, research, and publishing activities, organizing exhibitions and cultural events. Its annual operating expenses are estimated at 13.5 million PLN.