The mission of the Stare Powązki Foundation is to preserve the heritage and historic character of the resting place of many generations of Poles: Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw.
The Foundation was established at the behest of the Archdiocese of Warsaw, the cemetery's caretaker, with the aim of preserving and promoting the unique historical and artistic value of the Cemetery, also on a European scale—a pantheon commemorating more than two centuries of the city's past, often painful, and the lives of its residents.
The Foundation carries out projects both in the field of monument conservation and restoration, and in the areas of promotion and education. It brings together the efforts of individuals and institutions involved in the programme of care for Stare Powązki. Its activities are overseen by the Foundation Council, whose members include representatives of the President of Poland and the Mayor of the Capital City of Warsaw, as well as leading authorities in the fields of culture and the arts. The Foundation also works with institutions dedicated to the protection of monuments and works of art. Its activities are supported by numerous donors and partners.
The Foundation's statutory objectives are:
- Protection, conservation and restoration of historic monuments at Old Powązki
- Protection, conservation and restoration of works of art
- Promoting and championing Old Powązki as a great cultural heritage site and a national treasure
- Promoting the need to care for historic monuments and the cultural landscape, and fostering knowledge about historic monuments
- Raising public awareness of the importance of cultural heritage as a key marker of national identity, as well as increasing the public's level of knowledge about Polish art
- Developing educational programmes on art and history, aimed at deepening children's and young people's knowledge
- Supporting civic engagement in learning about art history and protecting cultural monuments in Poland
- Informing the public about the state of preservation of historic sites and objects, and about the efforts undertaken to protect them
- Intervening when historic sites located within the grounds of Old Powązki are at risk
- Strengthening Poland's positive image at home and abroad
- Fostering and deepening patriotic attitudes among Poles living in Poland and abroad
- Encouraging people of Polish descent to visit the country of their ancestors.
- Carrying out public and cultural diplomacy in Poland and abroad
- Supporting and initiating educational activities and programmes aimed at raising children and young people of Polish descent in a spirit of patriotism and respect for their country's culture and history.
- Supporting and promoting cooperation at regional and international levels in the fields of business, science, religion, culture and tourism
The foundation pursues its objectives through:
- Preserving historic structures that form an integral part of the Old Powązki Cemetery
- Promoting Polish culture and traditions by organizing educational activities, workshops, excursions, extracurricular activities, etc.
- Promoting the idea of protecting cultural heritage
- Developing and implementing strategies and programs for the protection of cultural heritage
- Cooperating with other foundations and organizations with similar statutory objectives
- Initiating artistic and cultural projects that help broaden knowledge of cultural heritage
- Initiating and conducting social initiatives in support of the foundation's objectives
- Initiating and organizing social, promotional and information campaigns in connection with the foundation's statutory activities
- Organizing youth projects that have a positive impact on historical awareness and social engagement, promote the preservation of national traditions and Polish identity, and foster the development of national, civic and cultural awareness
- Supporting individuals
- Conducting conservation and historical research
- Preparing expert reports and conservation assessments
- Working together with research institutions to advance science, education, learning and upbringing
- Promoting historical knowledge in schools, particularly on issues related to the protection of historic monuments
- Cooperating with domestic and foreign state administration authorities, heritage conservation services, research and cultural and educational institutions, businesses, companies, and other legal entities and individuals wishing to support the foundation financially or in another form in achieving its objectives
- Organizing and funding training and information initiatives for the foundation's beneficiaries
- Promoting educational activities undertaken by the foundation, including through media and online campaigns and cooperation with public institutions and social organizations
- Seeking partners to help the foundation carry out its statutory activities
- Conducting information and publishing activities related to the foundation's objectives
- Cooperating with domestic and foreign church institutions
- Publishing journals, running websites, conducting social media campaigns, and creating and co-producing television and radio programs
- Taking action to promote European integration and develop contacts and cooperation between societies.
Foundation board
Karol Gądzik
Foundation Council
Chairman of the Foundation Council
- Michał Stępniewski
Members of the Foundation Council
- Jarosław Dębowski
- Bishop Michał Janocha
- Michał Krasucki
- Paweł Martofel
- Rev. Dr. Sławomir Nowakowski
- Bartłomiej Pawlak
- Prof. Joanna Sosnowska