In the period of 2006-2010, BHP Hall, located in the post-industrial area once belonging to the Gdańsk Shipyard, was extensively renovated.
In summer 2010, BHP Hall opened to the public as a conference and exhibition centre. The renovation and adaptation of the building was possible thanks to the great determination of people involved, and thanks to the Trade Union’s own resources and the support from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, as well as many other donors. The anniversary exhibition THERE IS ONLY ONE “SOLIDARNOŚĆ” added splendour to the ceremony of the historic BHP Hall reopening on August 24, 2010. The exhibition, in a little different form, can be seen till today.
The one-storey part of the building houses three exhibition halls, including two designed for conferences or video shows with their own sound systems and multi-media equipment. The ground-floor rooms have a capacity of 300 people. On the first floor there are two lecture rooms for 30 people each. They are fully equipped with the dedicated state-of-the-art audio-visual system.
We would like BHP Hall, rooted in August 1980 Agreement, to attract people believing in the broad idea of solidarity, which would let us proudly call it an open place, through inspiring conferences and quality exhibitions.
Currently:
The exhibition THERE IS ONLY ONE “SOLIDARNOŚĆ” opened on the 30th anniversary of the Gdańsk Agreement can still be visited. The exhibition was organized by the “Solidarność” Promotion Fund, the National Commission of NSZZ “Solidarność”, with a significant support from the National Culture Centre.
The exhibition was prepared by: Leszek Biernacki (curator and author of scenario); Małgorzata Gliwińska (artistic composition), assisted by: Jacek Rybicki (coordinator representing NSZZ ”Solidarność”) and Mateusz Smolana and Marzena Flis (the National Commission of NSZZ “Solidarność” Archives).
The exhibition shows fundamental ideas underlying the “Solidarność” movement from its birth: decent workplace, law abidance, equality, independence, solidarity and freedom of speech. A separate space was devoted to Pope John Paul II and the strike in the Gdańsk Shipyard in August 1980.
The exhibition includes “The Gate of Freedom”, a display of large-size photographs illustrating the 30 years of “Solidarność” by Leszek Biernacki, Erazm Ciołek, Tomasz Gutry, Stanisław Markowski, Wojciech Milewski, Chris Niedenthal, Bogusław Nieznalski and Janusz Rydzewski.
Opening hours:
26 June – 25 September 2011: Tues – Sun 10:00-18:00
27 September 2011 – 30 April 2012: 10:00-16:00
Groups: please contact salabhp@solidarnosc.org.pl, phone: (office) 58-308-42-24 or (security) 58-308-42-10. For those interested, there is a possibility of arranging a meeting with the curator of the exhibition, Mr Leszek Biernacki.
Benfactors and donors who supported the renovation of the BHP Hall building carried out in 2006-2010 by the National Commisssion of NSZZ “Solidarność”
Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, “Solidarni ze Stocznią Gdańską” Association, Gdańsk Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, The I. Łukasiewicz PGNiG Foundation, PPH “Dekom” Sp. z o.o., Gdańsk Shipyard SA, SKOK, Gdynia Municipal Office,
Operator Gazociągów Przemysłowych GAZ-SYSTEM S.A., Parliamentary Club of “Prawo i Sprawiedliwość”, Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych SKOK, Południowy Koncern Węglowy S.A., Mazowiecka Spółka Gazownictwa Sp. z o.o., SKOK PIAST, Tychy,
Podlasie Regional Board of “Solidarność”, Środkowowschodni Regional Board of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Świętokrzyskie Regional Board of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Zarząd Regionu Ziemia Łódzka Regional Board of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Zielonogórskie Regional Board of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Podbeskidzie Regional Board of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Rzeszowskie Regional Board of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Warmińsko-Mazurskie Regional Board of NSZZ “Solidarność”.
Chemical Industry Workers’ Secretariat of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Health Services Employees’ Secretariat of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Transport Workers’ Secretariat of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Public Service Employees’ Secretariat of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Construction and Woodworkers’ Secretariat of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Food Workers’ Secretariat of NSZZ “Solidarność”.
National Maritime Section of Seamen and Fishermen of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Gdańsk Regional Board of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Piotrków Regional Board of NSZZ “Solidarność”, National Section of Car-making Industry of NSZZ “Solidarność”, National Section of Oil and Gas Workers of NSZZ “Solidarność”, “Solidarność” in Jasło
Inter-Enterprise Trade Union Organization of NSZZ “Solidarność” in Jędrzejów, Inter-Enterprise Coordination Commission of NSZZ “Solidarność” at the Port of Gdańsk, Inter-Enterprise Commission of NSZZ “Solidarność” at WSK “PZL – Rzeszów” S.A., Inter-Enterprise Commission of Eductation Employees of NSZZ “Solidarność” in Gdynia,
Local Commission of NSZZ “Solidarność” at Gdańsk University of Technology, Inter-Enterprise Commission of NSZZ “Solidarność” at MKP in Łódź, NSZZ “Solidarność” at PFLEIDERER Grajewo S.A., and individual donors
