Exhibition of Recovered Territories (1948)Centennial Hall
The Exhibition of the Recovered Territories, organized in 1948, was one of the largest that took place in the entire history of the Centennial Hall. The exhibition, which lasted from 21 July to 31 October, had a wide impact in Poland and abroad.
Its Organisers intended to show the successes of the new, folklore authorities in the territories regained after the Second World War. In short – the authorities wanted to legitimize their actions. The world’s mandate.
Exhibition of Recovered Territories (1948)Centennial Hall
The extensive exhibition area had been divided into two sectors. “Areas A” – the Centennial Hall, the square in front of the Hall, and the Four Domes Pavilion housed exhibitions related to social, political, and geographical issues.
The Heavily Inhabited Lands Exhibition (1948)Centennial Hall
The focal point was marked by the Iglica designed by engineer Stanisław Hempel. Yes, the Iglica. A pin stuck in the Prussian pride. The comma is placed in the German narrative of Silesia. It deliberately cut the Centennial Hall in half, like a sharp knife cuts a huge cake.
Recovered Territories Exhibition (1948)Centennial Hall
Areas B”, today belonging to the Wrocław Zoo, were intended for exhibitions on social and economic issues. Public and private companies exhibited their goods in numerous but small buildings.
Recovered Territories Exhibition (1948)Centennial Hall
Despite the high attendance and propaganda hype, the Exhibition of the Recovered Territories ended in a financial fiasco. The gigantic cost of the project, amounting to 715 million PLN of the period, was covered only about one-third.
