Freedom Bread

The exhibition presents the comic book “Freedom bread” by Paweł Piechnik, published by the State Museum at Majdanek. It is a moving story about the prisoners of KL Lublin, in which graphic storytelling meets historical testimony and reflection on the meaning of freedom.

Important information

Temporary exhibitionArchival

Exhibition date:26.04.2019 - 05.08.2021
Place:Lublin / State Museum at Majdanek
Curator:Dorota Niedziałkowska, Lech Remiszewski, Izabela Tomasiewicz
Translation:Lech Remiszewski
Language version:Polish, English
Artistic design:Izabela Tomasiewicz, Paweł Piechnik

“Freedom bread” was published in 2019 to mark the 75^th anniversary of the establishment of the State Museum at Majdanek. The publication is an example of a modern approach to historical education. By combining the comic book format with a documentary narrative, it reaches both younger and adult audiences. The album stands out for its artistic qualities: beautiful illustrations, subtle colour palette, and refined and aesthetic graphic design.

Story of Prisoners

The comic is a collection of graphic narratives depicting the stories of 11 KL Lublin prisoners. Paweł Piechnik based his work on authentic testimonies and source materials, including the books “Niebo bez ptaków” by Danuta Brzosko-Mędryk, “Pole śmierci” by Andrzej Stanisławski, the testimony of Jolanta Nowakowska-Korzeniewska, as well as recollections compiled by Marta Grudzińska in the publication “Majdanek”. The concentration camp in the accounts of prisoners and witnesses. Each story begins with an introduction of the author while extended biographical notes are presented at the end of the book.

A collection of drawings depicting women in a concentration camp, with the word KAPO written in large letters in the middle of the page.

On the left, an exhibition panel featuring a drawing of birds against the backdrop of the camp; in the background, a faint monument-gate at Majdanek

Longing for Freedom

The title phrase “Freedom bread” comes from the camp jargon. During World War II, prisoners used this term to describe bread baked outside the camp, a symbol of longing for home, safety, and humanity. On a symbolic level “Freedom bread” expresses the inalienable human right to freedom and serves as a reminder that even in the most extreme conditions, hope and solidarity gave prisoners the strength to survive.

two drawings depicting women dressed in striped uniforms inside a wooden barrack

Hunger, Death and Freedom

The publication is divided into three parts: hunger, death, and freedom. Each section reveals a different dimension of the camp life – physical suffering, inner struggle, and the enduring belief in freedom. What links all of these stories is the motive of hope which, despite the tragic experiences, allowed prisoners to preserve their humanity. The comic not only documents the history but also encourages reflection on the value of freedom and responsibility for remembering the victims.

Exhibition

The exhibition featured 15 panels presenting selected pages from the comic book. The first five panels presented large, visually striking, wordless sequences illustrating the arrival of a transport, the removal of prisoners off the train, the march and the admission of prisoners into the camp. The remaining ten panels combined images and text, personal testimonies and fragments of individual stories depicting the reality of camp life. The exhibition was conceived as an outdoor display in urban space. Its aim was to capture the attention of passers-by, interrupt everyday routines and draw attention to historical issues through compelling content and an engaging visual form.

A contemporary photo showing a road in the center, an outdoor exhibition on display boards on the left, and a barbed-wire fence on the right. Trees are visible in the background.

About the Author

Paweł Piechnik (1981) studied at the University of Technology in Poznań and the University of the Arts in Poznań. Since 2005, he has worked professionally as a comic artist and illustrator and has also created murals. He has been invited to collaborate on animated films and video games productions. Piechnik is actively involved in educational work with young people, giving lectures and leading comic workshops. In 2020, he received the BohaterON Award in the “Pasjonat” (Enthiusiast) category for “Freedom bread”. He is also the author of the two-volume comic album “SYBIR-my story”.