The "Charm of Harvest Festival Memories" festival and the opening of the exhibition "The Great Turning Point. Central Harvest Festival '75 in Koszalin"

The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the "Central Harvest Festival" in Koszalin – one of the most important events in the post-war history of our city. During the communist era, state harvest festivals were celebrated on a grand scale, taking the form of a spectacle of power and becoming an arena for propaganda and image-building. For Koszalin, the preparations for the celebrations were an opportunity to change the face of the city and gain a nationwide reputation as the modern capital of Central Pomerania. The Koszalin harvest festival, set in the reality of the communist state of the mid-1970s, had a socio-political dimension, but also a no less important cultural and artistic dimension. For the city, it meant extensive modernization, in which themes such as folklore, tradition, progress, and community were interpreted. The paradoxical modernity of the Polish People's Republic gained a concrete visuality thanks to the central harvest festival. The facade of state ceremony served as a mask for the hidden meanings and intentions of the authorities. The aim of the exhibition "The Great Turning Point. Central Harvest Festival '75 in Koszalin" is to present the harvest festival as a socio-cultural phenomenon, set in the broader historical context of People's Poland. The exhibition aims to encourage reflection on the legacy of a bygone era, support historical education, and restore the memory of local experiences. By juxtaposing two layers—official narratives and non-obvious, often forgotten stories—the exhibition allows for a better understanding of the realities of life in the People's Republic of Poland and the impact of this period on the shape of contemporary cultural identity. The exhibition will begin with a festive celebration organized in cooperation with the National Agricultural Support Center OT Koszalin and the 105 Cultural Center in Koszalin. The program includes a concert by the band "Rzepczyno" and a performance by the Koszalin Choir "Canta," a demonstration of the making of a traditional harvest wreath, educational activities on the traditions and rituals associated with the harvest festival, as well as handicraft and food stands. The official opening will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the museum courtyard. An additional attraction will be curator-led tours at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Due to the limited number of places, please pick up your free tickets. We cordially invite you to join us!