Arts and culture in Poland - statistics & facts
Culture and arts play a vital role in Poland, whose unique character results from the blend of Western European and Eastern influences. Despite numerous territorial changes and the loss of independence for 123 years, artistic activity was uninterrupted. In 2023, there were over 4,700 cultural institutions in the country, and their revenue increased year-on-year.
Polish cinematography is also known on the world stage. Oscars in this field went to Leopold Stokowski, Bronisław Kaper, Stefan Kudelski, Zbigniew Rybczyński, Allan Starski, Ewa Braun, Janusz Kamiński, Andrzej Wajda, Roman Polański, Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, and Paweł Pawlikowski. In 2024, the film "The Zone of Interest" created in Polish co-production received two Oscars. Although cinema attendance declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, a resurgence could be seen from 2021. In 2022, there were 532 cinemas in Poland.
Polish museums and cinematography are known worldwide
As of 2022, Poland had close to 1,000 museums of diverse themes and character, including the Wawel Royal Castle-State Art Collection in Krakow, The Warsaw Rising Museum, the Castle Saltworks - Saltworks Museum Wieliczka, and the Family House of the Holy Father John Paul II Museum in Wadowice. Furthermore, among them is a memorial to the largest death camp established by Nazi Germany, the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. With more than 1.67 million visitors in 2023, it is one of the most visited museums in Europe.Polish cinematography is also known on the world stage. Oscars in this field went to Leopold Stokowski, Bronisław Kaper, Stefan Kudelski, Zbigniew Rybczyński, Allan Starski, Ewa Braun, Janusz Kamiński, Andrzej Wajda, Roman Polański, Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, and Paweł Pawlikowski. In 2024, the film "The Zone of Interest" created in Polish co-production received two Oscars. Although cinema attendance declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, a resurgence could be seen from 2021. In 2022, there were 532 cinemas in Poland.
