FENIKS

The Warsaw Ghetto Museum is implementing a project entitled ’The renovation and extension of the historical buildings of the former Bersohn and Bauman Children’s Hospital at 60 Sienna Street/51 Śliska Street in Warsaw, with their adaptation for exhibition and educational purposes, and the implementation of the Media Library – part of the permanent exhibition of the Warsaw Ghetto Museum’. The project is made possible by funding from the European Infrastructure, Climate, Environment 2021–2027 (FEniKS) programme. The funding from the European Regional Development Fund amounts to PLN 57,423,828.88. The total value of the project is PLN 323,879,688.83.

The project involves the renovation and expansion of the historical buildings of the Bersohn and Bauman Children’s Hospital at 60 Sienna Street/51 Śliska Street in Warsaw, their adaptation for exhibition and educational purposes, and the construction of a Mediatheque as part of a broader concept to create and open the Museum of the Warsaw Ghetto to the public.

The Bersohns and Bauman Hospital complex consists of two historical buildings: the former Children’s Hospital and the Laboratory. Through financial support from European Funds, they will be adapted for new functions – a permanent exhibition and an Educational Center. Above-ground and underground spaces will also be created in and beneath the Museum’s inner courtyard.

The comprehensive renovation and expansion project of the historical buildings currently being carried out by the Museum includes the creation of the Museum’s headquarters, the preparation of a permanent exhibition, including the conservation and digitisation of museum pieces, and the creation of a Mediatheque – an innovative complementary part of the permanent exhibition, enabling new and immersive ways of experiencing culture, including solutions for people with various forms of disability and neurodiversity.

The project also envisages the implementation of cultural and educational activities with partners from other countries, the creation of new jobs, and upgrading employees’ competences in various thematic areas, including accessibility, cybersecurity and content-based issues.

The target groups include residents of Warsaw and the surrounding area, regional communities living in former shtetls and ghettos, Polish and foreign tourists, students and teachers, scientists and researchers (in particular those dealing with the Ghetto Uprising, the Second World War and the history of Judaism).

The project is multifaceted, so that the genius loci of the historical buildings will be preserved and the museum will conduct ongoing cultural, exhibition and educational activities based on the principles of accessibility, social inclusion and sustainable development.

The project is scheduled for implementation in 2023–2026.