Adaptation of Austeria buildings for the Center of Social and Cultural Integration in Raszyn at Al. Krakowska 1 - stage 2

About this project

<p>The project will be implemented as part of the Culture Program, activities Improving cultural heritage management, sub-measure 1.1<br> Restoration and revitalization of cultural heritage. The project involves the modernization and renovation of buildings (Carriage house,<br> former post office, stalls) included in the historic urban complex of the historical center of Raszyn from the 18th and 19th centuries<br> according to the design by Bogumił Zug, excluding the main&nbsp;building called Austeria, for which the municipality received funding in<br> 2017.The project will enable experts to cooperate in the PROGRAM OF CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL<br> ACTIVITIES FOR 2020-2024, in the established in the Raszyn&nbsp; NANSEN CENTER FOR INTEGRATION AND DIALOGUE.<br> The headquarter of the Center will have place in the restored historic Austeria complex, where the Jewish community settled in the<br> 18th century (this complex includes the main building - storied, merchants' stalls in which Jews were trading, a post office, a<br> stable and a carriage house). On May 14, 1784, the Grand Marshal of the Crown issued a regulation on the expulsion of Jews from<br> Warsaw. Jews from Warsaw had the right to settle in this part of Raszyn. This task contributed to the increasement of knowledge<br> about Jewish cultural heritage.<br> The result of this program will be close cooperation of experts from Poland and Norway: office of the municipality in Raszyn and the Foundation for Dialogue in Warsaw - Polish side&nbsp;and on the Norwegian side: the Nansen Academy in Lillehammer and Høyskole Kristiania from Oslo.</p>

Bilateral cooperation results

The project included, among others: dialogue workshops of both local and supra-local scope, conducted in Polish and English for minorities living in the commune, as well as for teachers, volunteers, the local community, parents, and students, artistic and cultural education workshops;, innovative visual communication and new media workshops, exhibitions in the renovated exhibition space of Austeria, joint museum lessons for school youth and the local community, theater workshops for youth and seniors; English lessons,3D camera operation workshops. The “soft actions” program was based on interaction and dialogue, which are inherently engaging and encourage active participation. From January 2021 to April 2024, the Raszyn Commune, in cooperation with its partners—the Polish Foundation for Dialogue, the Norwegian Nansen Humanistic Academy in Lillehammer (The Nansen Humanistic Academy), and the Norwegian Kristiania University College in Oslo (Høyskole Kristiania)—carried out initiatives to improve access to art and culture in both countries. Project participants worked together to enhance the flow of information between Poland and Norway and to showcase the cultural heritage of both nations. The Raszyn Commune has made a small but meaningful contribution to strengthening Polish-Norwegian relations and that the attractive and modern cultural and educational offerings in the restored buildings have led to new connections, engaging meetings, and many inspiring projects.

Project partners

• Nansenskolen – Norsk Humanistiks /The Nansen Humanistic Academy Donor project partner· Norway
• Kristiania University College Donor project partner· Norway
• Foundation for Dialogue/ Fundacja na Rzecz Dialogu Project partner· Poland