wróć...Discussion about the book: “The staff of the German camp for Polish children and youth in Łódź (1942-1945)”

We invite you to a meeting dedicated to the book “The staff of the German camp for Polish children and youth in Łódź (1942-1945)” by Agnieszka Fronczek-Kwarta and Michał Hankiewicz.

This book is the culmination of research by historians at the Museum of Polish Children – victims of totalitarianism, and is one of the few comprehensive works dedicated to the history of the camp for Polish children in Przemysłowa Street in Łódź. The book meticulously reconstructs the lives of the camp staff, painting a picture of the people responsible for the operation of this isolation camp. At the same time, the authors create a collective portrait of the camp officers and the workings of the camp administration. The book was published in 2025 by the Museum of Polish Children – victims of totalitarianism, in collaboration with Łódź University Press.

The meeting with the authors will be an opportunity for a multifaceted discussion on the fundamental questions raised in the book – who were the perpetrators? What characterised them and what motivated them? What were their post-war lives like and and how should we understand their responsibility – both moral and criminal? Above all, what lessons can we draw today from the biographies of the camp perpetrators?

Agnieszka Fronczek-Kwarta, PhD – a historian, the Head of the Research Department of the Museum of Polish Children – victims of totalitarianism. She specialises in the modern history of Poland, with a particular focus on the fates of Polish children during the Second World War.

Michał Hankiewicz – a historian, Germanist and the Head of the Historical Records Department at the Museum of Polish Children – victims of totalitarianism. He specialises in the study of the fates of Polish children during the Second World War.

The full shelf:  A forum on war and children.

A series of museum talks with the authors of books dealing with the fates of children, particularly during the Second World War. The series aims to explore the history of armed conflicts from the perspective of their youngest victims.

Date: 9 February (Monday), 2026

Start: 6.00 p.m.

Location: The Museum of Polish Children – victims of totalitarianism, ul. Piotrkowska 90, 2nd floor

Moderator: Andrzej Grzegorczyk

Free admission