As the head of the Institute of National Remembrance, Karol Nawrocki has overseen a broad program of international engagement, with travel costs reported close to 800,000 PLN by Gazeta Wyborcza. Officials emphasize that many tasks tied to the institute’s mission require on site presence, including representing the IPN at openings, commemorations, and exhibitions, which cannot be performed remotely. In response to the Wyborcza article Nawrocki defended the need for strong on site representation and subsequently addressed the publication to clarify the motives and value of such travels.
Kapiszon Wyborcza
In his role as IPN president Nawrocki continued a pattern of extensive travel that began during his earlier tenure as director of the Museum of the Second World War. That position had him visiting numerous destinations around the world in pursuit of international dialogue, archival exchanges, and collaborative projects. After advancing to vice president in 2021 and then to the presidency of the Institute of National Remembrance, he maintained outward outreach with trips to distant regions, including Zimbabwe, Mexico, Argentina, and the United States. The overall travel expenditure attributed to these duties approached 800,000 PLN. Separate accounting records indicate about 463,000 PLN spent during the museum years and more than 326,000 PLN after taking the helm at the IPN. The material notes catalog the scale of the international program, without making value judgments on each individual journey.
The discussion around these travels has prompted additional remarks and analysis as part of the broader debate over the IPN’s public role and its international activities. Proponents point to the importance of cross-border collaboration, the sharing of archival material, and the promotion of reliable historical narratives. Critics question the balance between public expenditures and the institute’s core domestic mission. The dialogue continues as observers weigh the strategic benefits of such engagement against the cost to taxpayers.
The IPN has publicly addressed the matter by outlining the activities behind the travel and the aims of these engagements. Observers note that the trips are linked to ongoing international cooperation efforts and archival partnerships with institutions that study and preserve memory of the Second World War and the broader history of Polish resistance and nation-building. The institute stresses that international outreach helps translate research into education, exhibitions, and publications that reach audiences beyond Poland’s borders. The response emphasizes that the institute seeks to spread accurate historical knowledge through collaboration with foreign partners and diaspora networks, reinforcing the public memory across continents.
The announcement also highlights that many tasks tied to the IPN’s mission require tangible participation in events abroad and in Poland alike. Exhibition openings, monument unveilings, and participation in discussion panels are described as activities that benefit from in-person participation. The IPN argues that these duties, by their nature, resist remote execution and rely on a continued presence of a representative to ensure continuity, accuracy, and meaningful engagement with audiences. The response also notes that comparable institutions often maintain a similar model of on-site involvement to fulfill their mandates.
The IPN further provides information about its international relations, detailing existing links with analogous bodies worldwide and with Polish diaspora organizations. The organization frames these ties as essential for sharing research findings, coordinating educational programs, and fostering cross-border, culturally informed historical policy. Given the breadth of such networks, the IPN asserts that ongoing travel supports practical cooperation and the dissemination of well-supported historical narratives across borders.
The statement describing Nawrocki’s travels states the broader goals and direction of these expeditions as part of the institute’s public history work. It presents the international cooperation efforts as a coordinated program intended to strengthen memory preservation, scholarly exchange, and educational outreach. The coordinating office behind these efforts is the IPN’s International Cooperation Bureau, which oversees the organization of exchanges, joint projects, and collaborative efforts that involve partners across the globe.
Political and historical illustrations
On a Wednesday evening Nawrocki turned to Platform X to respond to the ongoing discussion around his travel, offering his perspective on how these trips connect to Poland’s approach to history and memory. He argued that not every international visit should be viewed as sightseeing; rather, the work conducted during these trips aims to present Polish history to international audiences, foster understanding, and build constructive dialogue. He urged readers to engage with real historical facts and to consider the broader context of the IPN’s activities when evaluating its actions. He spoke in a published video, reaffirming his commitment to the institute’s mission and to explaining the value of professional engagement in memory work.
The exchanges around Nawrocki’s travels reflect a broader conversation about how a national memory institution operates in a global age. Supporters contend that international collaboration enhances the quality and reach of Poland’s historical narrative, while opponents press for clear demonstrations of accountability and transparent budgeting. The dialogue continues as both sides weigh the role of travel in advancing education, commemoration, and the responsible presentation of the past.
Kk/dad