What secrets lie hidden beneath the surface of a simple plaque? We stand before the Drukarnia Wolność Plaque on Targowa 47. This plaque marks a place of quiet resistance, a secret printing house during World War II. The Drukarnia Wolność, meaning “Freedom Printing House,” was a beacon of hope in a time of darkness. It operated in the shadow of both German and Soviet occupation. It was one of the few clandestine printing houses active on Warsaw’s Praga district during this tumultuous period.
The Drukarnia Wolność Plaque tells a story of bravery and defiance. A story often whispered, rarely shouted. The printing house produced anti-Nazi and anti-Soviet materials for the Polish resistance. It served the Polish Home Army (OPW) and the Council of National Resistance (KON). This meant printing newspapers, leaflets, and other publications that challenged the oppressive regimes. The very existence of the Drukarnia Wolność was an act of rebellion.
Małgorzata Mycke-Dominko, the daughter of Jerzy Mycke, a co-founder of the printing house, wrote a book. The book is titled “Tajna drukarnia WOLNOŚĆ na Targowej 47” (Secret Printing House FREEDOM at Targowa 47). It chronicles the Drukarnia Wolność story. She grew up near the printing house. The area and its history are deeply intertwined with her personal memories. The book draws upon her family archives, offering a unique perspective on this hidden chapter of Warsaw’s history. It gives voice to those who risked their lives for freedom of expression. It brings to life the atmosphere and the dangers of daily life under occupation.
The Drukarnia Wolność Plaque stands as a reminder. A reminder of the courage of those who worked tirelessly. Who worked in secrecy at Targowa 47. They printed words that fueled the spirit of resistance. They kept hope alive in the hearts of the Polish people. They were heroes who fought a war of words and ideas. Their legacy lives on in this small, unassuming plaque on Targowa Street.