Outer walls and roof of the first Gildia hall had a light construction, which they owed to have been made of polycarbonate panels that are easy to mount, and allow to recuperate 90% of the materials after demolition. Internal walls were built out of drywall. There were 200 stalls in the hall, on average covering an area of 6 m².
In the second hall built two years later the project was changed by placing the drywall only in the part by the skylights on the roof and by replacing the rest with corrugated iron. There were 90 stalls in the hall.
After the expiration of lease period at the place of Gildia a tram stop SKM (fast urban train) Gdańsk Śródmieście and modern shopping and business centre – Forum Gdańsk were built. The area includes the territories of Sienny Market and Rakowy Market, where people historically occupied themselves with trade.
This area is crossed by the railroads of the international line E-65, which connects Gdańsk with the central part of Poland. At this time two EU projects were being implemented on the railway line – modernisation of the railway line E-65 and – construction of the SKM stop Gdańsk Śródmieście that was supposed to be finished by the beginning of Euro 2012. The plans of Multi Development had to be aligned with the implementation of the investments supported with donations by the EU.
Another impediment was historic Radunia Canal built few hundred years ago by Teutonic knights. All these obstacles were complicating the possibility of development of Sienny Market and Rakowy Market for years. The area of future Forum has been thoroughly examined by a team of archaeologists whose findings are available to see in display cases on the boulevard on the Radunia Canal. The construction of the complex began in June 2015. Forum Gdańsk was opened on 26th of May 2018.
1/3 of the area of Forum Gdansk is a green area planted with perennials, ornamental grasses and melliferous plants among many other, which are supposed to attract insects and birds, and in the future it is planned that bees, beehives for which are already prepared, will appear there as well. This is to conserve biodiversity in the city centre. Everything was designed so that the colours would match the seasons.
Forum is divided into three zones – The Boulevard, Modern Court and The Street. Initially it was envisaged that the canal with clean water would flow through the mall.
Public space constitutes almost half of the territory of the whole site.
Forum is not only a mall it also fulfils the role of a meeting place. There are fashion events including shows, festivals and concerts taking place. An extra attraction are cyclical performances called “Fridays after work” with live music.
This year 33 candidacies applied for the reward in the Concord category (one of eight), and the laureate chosen by the Princess of Asturias Foundation was Gdańsk, because „the past and the present of the city of Gdańsk are an example of sensitivity towards suffering, solidarity, the defence of freedom and human rights and extraordinary generosity”.
The award ceremony, during which the royal family was present, has taken place in Oviedo in Teatro Compoamor.
Mayor Paweł Adamowicz who was assassinated earlier this year greatly contributed to obtaining the prestigious reward called “Spanish Nobel” by Poland for the fifth time.
The reward was collected by his successor, current mayor of Gdansk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz.
The sculpture made by Spanish artist Joan Miró was presented on October 21st, during a press briefing in European Solidarity Centre.
It will be the decision of citizens of Gdansk what 50 thousand euro which are a part of Princess of Asturias Awards will be spent on.
The train station’s historic appearance will be restored. Original colour scheme and lighting as well as oak showcases and storefronts referring back to the 20th century will be brought back. Reconstruction of cartouches along with the coats of arms of Pomeranian cities is planned. Moreover, everything will be refreshed.
A glass dome resembling that from 1914 will make its comeback.
All this will be completed with exterior building lighting.
There will be also additional facilities for people with limited mobility and modern monitoring system.
According to plan works are supposed to be finished at the end of 2021.
Its mission was to establish European Solidarity Centre.
The chairman of the Council of the city of Gdansk at that time Paweł Adamowicz and historian Dr Jerzy Kukliński are considered to be the main initiators.
Initially the cultural institution European Solidarity Centre operated in the temporary headquarters in the former shipyard administration building in the Gdańsk Shipyard.
The current ECS headquarters were opened on 31st of August 2014 – on the 25th anniversary of regaining freedom and the 34th anniversary of signing August Agreements in the former Lenin shipyard.
The project was executed by Design and Construction company FORT from Gdańsk selected from 58 candidacies from all over the world and it was supposed to refer to methods of operation of Solidarity by the means of its simplicity.
Construction attracts attention due to its distinctive finish. Corten steel, used for the first time on such a grand scale in Poland, evokes the hull, and the silhouette thanks to the slope gives the impression of movement. Moreover, its colours will change over the years.
Once inside, visitor will see the winter garden contrasting with the austerity of the construction. The interior is filled with vegetation, among which one can sit on one of many benches.
The main attraction of ECS is permanent exhibition which speaks about the history of Solidarity since its birth up to The Polish Round Table Talks. It consists of original as well as interactive exhibits and archival materials.
ECS also offers a possibility of spending time in the archives with reading room and a library as well as taking part in conferences, festivals, lectures, meetings, shows and temporary exhibitions.
In 2016 ECS was awarded Council of Europe Museum Prize, because it’s “a fascinating example of a cultural institution working to promote freedom and solidarity”, and “the events it recounts and its programme make it a forum for contemporary Europe”.
After receiving the award, a statuette „Woman with a beautiful bust” (1969), by Joan Miró made its appearance in ECS. It was called Mirosława, thus referring to the author’s name. It was in the winter garden until 21st of April 2017, when it was awarded to the next institution.
This tradition has started when Joan Miró Foundation, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona became first to receive Council of Europe Museum Prize in 1977.