About the Museum
The State Ethnographic Museum in Warsaw
Established in 1888, the State Museum of Ethnography in Warsaw has gathered objects representing cultures from all continents since its inception.
The Museum’s origins are rooted in 19th-century ethnographic traditions, a time when researchers focused on cultures viewed as “primitive,” “exotic,” or “folk.” Their heritage was not always gathered ethically, often described from a privileged perspective, and displayed in ways that reinforced stereotypes.
Today, we propose different foundations for our work rooted in critical museology inspired by ideas of social justice, accessibility, and counteracting exclusion, as well as in decolonial, ecological, and climate-conscious perspectives.
We aim to make the Museum a vibrant forum for the exchange of ideas and knowledge. Our exhibitions, events, and research projects are developed in partnership with communities whose cultures are represented in our collections. By giving them a voice, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of social relations and the challenges we encounter. Collaboration enables us not only to study objects and their histories but also to interpret the meanings embedded within them and to share these insights with our audiences.
We actively engage in discussions about the changing role of museums. We critically assess our history and the origins of our collections. We aim to be an open and universally accessible Museum, providing experiences that promote learning, inspire creativity, and foster the sharing of knowledge.
The organizer of the State Ethnographic Museum is the Masovian Voivodeship Government.
Our mission
Our mission is to collect the diversity and richness of cultures from around the world and present their value as a national asset, thus contributing to the development of an open society.
