On 28 April 2026, the IPN officially inaugurated its exhibition “Trails of Hope. The Odyssey of Freedom” at the Regional Council of Puglia in Bari.
The opening ceremony brought together representatives of Polish and Italian institutions, academia, and cultural organisations. The IPN representative Piotr Pastuszak read out a letter from the Deputy President of the Institute, Dr Karol Polejowski, who highlighted the fact that the exhibition tells not only the story of military struggle, but also of thousands of civilians, women and children for whom this arduous journey became a path to survival. It is, as he wrote, a story of determination, solidarity, and unwavering faith in a free homeland.
In his lecture, Sławomir Bardski from the Office of International Cooperation spoke about the role of the Polish Armed Forces in the liberation of Italy, emphasising that the Polish “Odyssey of Freedom” remains not only a historical episode but also a living testimony of identity and dialogue between nations. He highlighted the profound military, as well as moral and spiritual, significance of the 2nd Polish Corps in this chapter of history.
Among the distinguished guests were Toni Mattarelli, President of the Regional Council of Puglia, Professor Vito Antonio Leuzzi and Anna Gervasio from the Institute for the Study of Antifascism and Contemporary Italy in Puglia, representatives of the University of Bari, and Dr Aneta Banasik representing the Italian–Polish Association in Puglia.
The exhibition in Bari is another stop in its Italian journey. It has previously been presented in Rome, Bologna, and Ancona, as well as at the Benedictine monastery on Monte Cassino. On 29 April 2026, it is scheduled to open in San Marino.
“Trails of Hope. The Odyssey of Freedom” is an international educational and exhibition project dedicated to commemorating the fate of Poles, both soldiers and civilians who, together with Anders’ Army, undertook a dramatic journey from the “inhuman land” through the Middle East to Italy, carrying with them the hope of regaining independence. The initiative was launched in 2021 by Karol Nawrocki, then the President of the IPN.
Learn more about "Trails of Hope. The Odyssey of Freedom" here