The House of European History lost one of its own founding fathers. Professor Włodzimierz Borodziej, who died on 12 July, was an eminent and outstanding historian of the recent history of Poland and Central and Eastern Europe.
A long-time professor of history at Warsaw University, Professor Borodziej was brought in to the HEH project to serve on the Experts' Committee charged with drawing up the museum's narrative scope, which came to be known as 'The Conceptual Basis of the HEH'. From 2009-2019, he was the Chair of the HEH's Academic Committee, one of the two governing bodies of the museum, overseeing the development, opening and early years of the museum. Professor Borodziej brought his particular knowledge and sensibilities to bear upon the way the HEH portrayed the vicissitudes of the 20th century, especially in relation to Eastern Europe after WWII.
For all those who were close to the HEH project over the years, he was above all a humane and valued colleague. In recent times, he had shown great political courage in facing turbulence and challenge in his home country. He was a man of integrity and European values who will be greatly missed, but not forgotten.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the Academic Committee and the House of European History team, we extend our sympathies and condolences to Professor Borodziej's family.