Centrum im. Ludwika Zamenhofa w Białymstoku

About the museum

The Ludwik Zamenhof Centre was established on the initiative of the city authorities to mark the 94th World Esperanto Congress, held in Białystok in 2009, and opened on 21 July 2009. From January 2011 it operated as an independent cultural institution; in January 2017 it became part of the Białystok Culture Centre (Białostocki Ośrodek Kultury).

The centre is seated in the building at ul. Warszawska 19. A brick house already stood here at the beginning of the 19th century, and in 1888 it was extended for a branch of a commercial bank. In the interwar period a private school operated there, among other things, and in 1933 the first children’s playground in the city was set up behind it. After the war the property was taken over by the State Treasury and deteriorated for years, until it was thoroughly rebuilt for the centre’s needs in 2008.

The centre presents the life and ideas of Ludwik Zamenhof and the multicultural environment of old Białystok, where he grew up. Besides the permanent exhibition “Białystok młodego Zamenhofa” (Young Zamenhof’s Białystok), it organises temporary exhibitions, concerts, lectures, meetings and workshops for kindergartens, schools and adults. A branch of the Książnica Podlaska library with a collection of Esperanto books is housed in the building, and the Mediateka holds an archive of oral history recordings.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Białystok młodego Zamenhofa”
• Multicultural Białystok at the end of the 19th century
• The Esperanto Libraro library
• Mediateka with an oral history archive
• Games and play room for families

Permanent exhibition

• Białystok młodego Zamenhofa – Permanent exhibition on the childhood and youth of Ludwik Zamenhof and on the multicultural Białystok in which the creator of Esperanto grew up.

Founded

2009

Operated by

Białostocki Ośrodek Kultury

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Sunday – free admission (not applicable to groups with a guide).

Discounts also apply to holders of the Białostocka Karta Dużej Rodziny and the Karta Aktywnego Seniora.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The main entrance is from the courtyard; the ramp is on the left-hand side of the entrance, and the key is at reception (ring the bell). All routes are accessible to wheelchair users, the floors are non-slip, and there are no thresholds in the exhibition and education rooms. A lift serves all floors, and toilets are available on every floor. Handrails are fitted only on the staircase. The centre employs a person who knows Polish Sign Language (PJM) and the signed Polish language system (SJM); free interpretation during a visit can be arranged in advance at centrum@centrumzamenhofa.pl. The permanent exhibition has an audio guide for independent visits, and educators are trained to work with people with intellectual disabilities. Early contact is recommended (tel. +48 85 67 67 367).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area

The centre has a paid Games and Play Room for children accompanied by adults, and it runs educational workshops for kindergartens and schools.

Getting there & parking

The building can be reached from ul. Pałacowa or ul. Sienkiewicza.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

On offer are publications, games and souvenirs related to Zamenhof and Esperanto.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The centre’s website states that equipment and rooms can be hired; details are not published.

Plan your visit