Freedom, Equality, Solidarity. Polish Perspectives in Berlin

For centuries, Poles have lived in Berlin and shaped the city culturally, socially, politically, and economically. The Polish border lies less than 100 km from Berlin.

Yet despite these close ties to its neighbor, Polish life and history in Berlin often remain invisible at first glance. The open-air installation “Freedom, Equality, Solidarity” in the exhibition BERLIN GLOBAL explores Berlin as a place of Polish struggles for freedom and against discrimination, as well as a site of dialogue and solidarity.

The multifaceted installation by Ewa Maria Slaska, Anna Krenz, and Jemek Jemowit leads visitors to seven locations in Berlin that represent Polish demands for freedom, equality, and solidarity. These sites are spread across the city — from the Olympic Stadium to Warsaw Bridge, from Moabit Prison to Volkspark Friedrichshain. The installation highlights Polish perspectives on everyday Berlin life as well as experiences of belonging, exclusion, and discrimination. It also raises questions about historical and contemporary power relations and how these shape coexistence.

The open-air installation invites visitors to exchange their own perspectives and engage in dialogue. In doing so, it connects to broader forms of Polish-Berlin solidarity.