Photo Exhibition at the Embassy in Budapest Showcases Poland’s Modern Transformation
Edited by Anna Popper
The outdoor photo exhibition “Poland – A Model of European Development” was inaugurated on 30 April 2025 at the Polish Embassy in Budapest. The exhibition, installed along the embassy fence, is a joint initiative of the Polish Embassy and the Polish Tourism Organisation. It celebrates Poland’s current Presidency of the Council of the European Union (1 January – 30 June 2025) under the motto “Security, Europe”, and the 20th anniversary of the country’s EU membership.
The exhibition was officially opened by Mr. Jacek Śladewski, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, together with Mrs. Melinda Farkas, Director of the Polish Tourism Organisation, in the presence of Hungarian officials, members of the Hungarian–Polish community, and invited guests.
Poland is located in Central Europe and stretches across 312,696 km² from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south. It borders Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukraine to the east, Slovakia and the Czech Republic to the south, and Germany to the west.
Over the past two decades, Poland has undergone remarkable transformation, emerging as a European leader in contemporary architecture, infrastructure, and urban renewal. Its cities have embraced innovation and modernization, with revitalized public spaces and striking modern buildings enhancing the quality of life and attracting increasing numbers of visitors.
The exhibition illustrates how Poland has leveraged the benefits of EU membership to drive both infrastructure development and cultural growth. State-of-the-art highways, modern airports, railway stations, and bus terminals have strengthened national and regional connectivity. At the same time, a wave of architectural ambition has reshaped the country’s urban and cultural landscape.
Among the many standout projects featured in the exhibition – each of which has become a landmark in its respective city or region – are the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, the gleaming Philharmonic Hall in Szczecin, and the dramatic, flame-inspired Museum of Fire in Żory. Also in focus are the award-winning bus terminal in Lublin, the playful “Unicorn Stable” tram stop in Łódź, the subterranean Silesian Museum in Katowice built into a former coal mine, and the acoustically advanced Cavatina Hall in Bielsko-Biała.
Each of these structures reflects not only architectural innovation but also a broader cultural renaissance that is reshaping Poland’s urban identity. They embody the forward-thinking spirit present across Poland’s historically rich and culturally diverse regions.
Using these examples, the exhibition offers a compelling narrative of how Poland has evolved into avibrant model of European development – a story of resilience, innovation, and cultural pride.
The exhibition, showcasing exciting architectural solutions, offers visitors plenty of inspiration, and will be on display at 16 Városligeti fasor, Budapest 1062, Hungary, until the end of 2025.
Sources: Embassy of Poland in Budapest, Polish Tourism Organisation
Photos by the Embassy of Poland in Budapest, Polish Tourism Organisation, DPA
