The Silesian Center for Freedom and Solidarity is expanding its space to become a new hub for meetings, education, and culture. Together with local residents, we want to build a sense of identity – a place accessible to everyone, open to the needs of the local community.
Silesian Identity. Adaptation of the Historic Buildings of the “Wujek" Coal Mine for the Cultural Activities of the Silesian Centre for Freedom and Solidarity – Stage 1
The former buildings of the “Wujek" coal mine are gaining a new lease of life. The Silesian Center for Freedom and Solidarity named after the Nine Miners from “Wujek" is implementing the project entitled “Silesian Identity. Adaptation of the Historic Buildings of the Wujek Coal Mine for the Cultural Activities of the Silesian Center for Freedom and Solidarity – Stage 1".
The aim of these activities is to enable the full implementation of the statutory tasks of the Silesian Center for Freedom and Solidarity, including cultural, educational and archival activities. The entire building complex is located in the Brynów district of Katowice, where the adjacent miners’ housing estate is situated. The local community has limited access to cultural infrastructure, among other reasons due to the demolition in 2023 of the Company Cultural Centre at the “Wujek" Coal Mine. Therefore, we plan for the Silesian Center for Freedom and Solidarity to assume the role of a venue accessible to district residents, offering a broad cultural programme, as well as serving as a meeting place for the local community, in line with the expectations of the residents of the district, the city and the region.
We have received funding for this project from the Just Transition Fund under the European Funds for Silesia 2021–2027 programme, Priority FESL.10.00 – European Funds for Transformation, Measure 10.09 Reuse of post-industrial, devastated and degraded areas for regional development purposes.
Total project value: PLN 21,001,732.59
EU contribution: PLN 15,852,689.21
Building visualization after completion of the project
We want the expansion of the Silesian Center for Freedom and Solidarity (ŚCWiS) to benefit a wide range of social groups, including:
Residents of the region interested in regional history, industrial heritage, and cultural and community-oriented initiatives. It is for them that we plan to organize engaging meetings in the new interiors and set out on historical tours and guided walks.
The local community of the city and district where the ŚCWiS complex is located. Since the demolition in 2023 of the Company Cultural Centre at the “Wujek" Coal Mine, the residents of Brynów have had limited access to cultural infrastructure. Our Centre will serve as a meeting place for them, offering a broad cultural programme.
Former mine employees and members of the mining community, whom we would like to invite to co-create a space that nurtures and preserves the mining identity of the local community.
Activists of the anti-communist opposition of the 1980s and their families. For them, we aim to be a place of remembrance, intergenerational dialogue, and active participation in social and cultural life.
Children and young people, to whom we direct our educational offer. Workshops, thematic lessons, Oxford-style debates, artistic activities, and volunteer initiatives will take place in the new spaces.
Teachers, educators, and educational institutions, who will be invited to participate in thematic lessons and media workshops focused on historical documentation and oral history.
Students, scholars, researchers, and history enthusiasts. We plan to provide them with access to a new library and archival collections.
Creators and audiences of culture, non-professional artistic groups, local artists, amateur music and theatre ensembles, and participants of artistic workshops. A dedicated space is being created for them to present their work and actively participate in the cultural life of the region.
Volunteers and individuals interested in civic engagement. The new premises will include space for, among other initiatives, the Volunteer Academy.
Persons with disabilities and individuals with special needs. The new spaces have been designed with full accessibility in mind, including facilities that ensure ease of movement, communication with Centre staff, and access to the content presented here.
Adaptation of the buildings
In Stage I of the project (2024–2026), two former mine buildings adjacent to the Centre — the former fire station and the installation department building — will be transformed into a modern cultural and educational space.
Following the expansion, the headquarters of the Silesian Center for Freedom and Solidarity will also serve the local community of the Brynów district of Katowice as a meeting place. We aim to provide residents with a wide-ranging cultural programme — especially in light of the demolition in 2023 of the Company Cultural Centre at the “Wujek" Coal Mine.
The renewed ŚCWiS will also become even more accessible to persons with special needs, for whom a range of dedicated facilities and solutions is being prepared.
After the expansion, visitors will be welcomed by a new representative entrance hall with a reception area. Additional facilities will include a conference room, rooms for artistic and educational workshops, a library, and an archive. Highlights of the redevelopment will include a mezzanine and a green rooftop terrace, which will also serve as a viewing platform. Educational panels presenting the history of the mine will be installed there.
This is how the building adapted under the project used to look in the past.
Display cases featuring mining artefacts — including, among other items, a historic mine cart — will be installed around the buildings.
The Centre’s team will also be able to carry out both its substantive (programmatic) and administrative activities in the new office spaces.