On 9 June 2025, the Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU) and the Alcide De Gasperi Centre honoured Professor Bronisław Geremek for his contributions to the accession of Poland to the European Union (EU). This event also marked the opening of Geremek’s European papers, which are preserved at the HAEU in Florence.
The papers were deposited as a contribution to research on the history of European integration by the family of Bronisław Geremek, namely his son Dr Marcin Geremek. The latter signed a deposit agreement with the Historical Archives in 2024 to preserve and make available for consultation a significant portion of an archival collection documenting Professor Geremek’s international academic and political engagements throughout the years.
“The Historical Archives of the European Union preserves the memory of the European Union. Professor Geremek made an outstanding contribution to the accession of Poland to the EU in 2004, which is well documented in his personal papers. We are honoured to give a home to these papers, thanking the family for this prestigious archival deposit,” said Dieter Schlenker, Director of the HAEU.
Dr Geremek, accompanied by his wife Anna Goljan-Geremek, attended the workshop that paid tribute to his father’s legacy in shaping Europe’s history.
Bronisław Geremek and Poland’s journey to EU accession
The contents of the Geremek fonds were presented by Dr Marcin Geremek and Wojciech Białożyt, a researcher who worked extensively with archivists on the file inventory over the past several months. The two commented on the range of documents, from Geremek’s early school records to letters recounting his deep engagement with other politicians and scholars in Europe. Other items of interest include letters from dissidents who were involved in the anti-communist freedom movements in Eastern Europe.
Bronisław Geremek’s efforts as a champion of Polish accession were highlighted and discussed further during the seminar. During her presentation, Karolina Koziura recalled Geremek’s mention of the oft-used phrase “We have made Europe, now we must make Europeans,” in this case referring to the rethinking of European memory and identity coming from its Eastern frontier.
The Geremek archives at the HAEU
The deposited materials consist of documents, photographs and artefacts collected between 1946 and 2008, covering Bronisław Geremek’s career as a historian and political figure. It includes personal records, correspondence, academic writings, press clippings, and distinctions, alongside significant letters exchanged with historians and political leaders. The collection also features media coverage of his involvement in Polish and European politics (1989-2008), handwritten notes on European integration, and documents related to his state funeral in 2008. Consult the Geremek papers here.
Photo: Wojciech Bialozyt, Marcin Geremek, Anna Goljan-Geremek and Dieter Schlenker examine documents from the Geremek fonds.