Institute of National Remembrance

The Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) is a state organizational unit established on January 19, 1999, to research crimes against the Polish nation, including Nazi and communist crimes. Its primary tasks include collecting documents from the years 1944–1990, conducting educational activities, vetting individuals holding public functions, and searching for the resting places of those who died in the struggle for independence. The Institute consists of several divisions, including the investigative division, which continues the work of the Main Commission for the Investigation of German Crimes established in 1945, and the vetting division responsible for analyzing vetting declarations. The IPN has its headquarters in Warsaw and eleven branches in cities where appellate courts are located. The Institute also houses the Office of Search and Identification and the Office of Commemorating Struggle and Martyrdom, which are tasked with locating the burial sites of victims of totalitarian systems. The IPN engages in scholarly research on Polish history, and through its Bureau of Historical Research, it conducts projects related to events from 1918 to 1989. The Institute organizes academic conferences, exhibitions, and educational activities, fostering remembrance of Polish history. In terms of architecture, the IPN headquarters on Janusz Kurtyka Street in Warsaw is a modern building that supports the Institute's operations. The IPN also awards honors for contributions to commemorating history, such as the Reipublicae Memoriae Meritum Medal. Due to its activities, the IPN has faced criticism for its alleged biased approach to history and the use of government apparatus for propaganda purposes. Institute employees also analyze totalitarian crimes, and their work aims not only to research but also to support communities in commemorating victims. It is worth noting that the IPN collaborates with many countries, engaging in international research and maintaining contact with the families of repression victims. From ensuring access to archival resources, through commemorative activities, to organizing academic conferences, the Institute of National Remembrance plays a significant role in shaping the contemporary historical awareness of Poles.