Agata Ilnicka

Summer is the perfect time to rediscover Norblin Factory! This season, we invite you to join our special guided tours, “Norblin Factory: Then and Now,” which offer a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating history of this place and see how it thrives today—as a vibrant hub of culture, gastronomy, and entertainment.

During the tour, participants will visit the historic halls of today’s Food Town and BioBazar, discover one-of-a-kind machines (such as the Hydraulic Accumulator), and enjoy a tasting of local specialties—from natural ice cream and organic products to iconic Warsaw treats.

Currently, tours are available in Polish, but English-language tours will be launched soon.

Details and tickets: https://muzeumfabrykinorblina.pl/fabryka-norblina-wczoraj-i-dzis/

We also invite you to join our regular weekend walks, “Norblin Factory in a Nutshell”—an engaging one-hour journey through the museum’s most interesting paths. These tours take place every Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 PM, and are perfect for both first-time and returning guest: https://muzeumfabrykinorblina.pl/fabryka-norblina-w-pigulce-rodzinnie/

Plan your visit and experience how history and modernity come together in the heart of Warsaw!

In June, the Norblin Factory Museum hosted a unique photo exhibition titled “Norblin Factory. Then / Now”, dedicated to showcasing the transformation of this historic site over the years. Although the exhibition has officially ended, it remains available to view online – and we are pleased to present the winners of the accompanying photo contest!

The “Norblin Factory. Then / Now” exhibition featured the work of Michał Jaszowski and Marcin Czechowicz, juxtaposing images of the Norblin Factory before its revitalization with photos of the vibrant, modern-day complex it has become. As a continuation of this project, Warsaw residents were invited to submit their own photographs to the “Norblin Factory – Then / Now” competition.

We received over 300 entries, many of which impressed us with their creative perspective on the transformation of Żelazna 51/53.

We are delighted to announce the winners:

🏆 1st Prize – Dmytro Malykhin
🥈 2nd Prize – Sandra Papiernik
🥉 3rd Prize – Konrad Grobel

Honorable Mentions:
→ Darek Wierzchowski
→ Anna Feliksbrot
→ Grzegorz Suchy
→ Łukasz Paciorek
→ Maria Kałużna
→ Michał Ulikowski
→ Piotr Jaworski

Additional Jury Mentions
(Kinga Nowakowska, Artur Setniewski, Kuba Jurkowski):
→ Oskar Banach
→ Darek Wierzchowski
→ Diana Kisiała
→ Michał Ulikowski
→ Wojciech Janczak
→ Adam Kuryło

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants for their creativity and engagement, as well as to NowaWarszawa.pl for their collaboration on this project. We’re proud to have created a space for reflection on the identity and metamorphosis of the Norblin Factory.

The exhibition “Norblin Factory. Then / Now” remains available online at:
🔗 https://muzeumfabrykinorblina.pl/en/then-now-exhibition/

Author event with Małgorzata Czyńska at Norblin Factory

On November 21 at 6:00 PM, a special author event will take place with Małgorzata Czyńska, author of the biography Julia Keilowa: A Metalsmith for Modern Times, in KinoGram Cinema (Hall 1). This is an opportunity to explore the life of an artist whose work in the interwar period became an enduring part of Polish design, lending everyday objects an elegant and modern style.

The book Julia Keilowa: A Metalsmith for Modern Times is a meticulously reconstructed account of a woman who revolutionized everyday objects, giving them a unique character. Julia Keilowa (1902–1943), long associated with Norblin Factory, created numerous designs—like the iconic Kula sugar bowl—that are now considered milestones of Polish design. This publication, partnered by our Museum, sheds new light on Keilowa’s work, presenting her within the context of European applied arts alongside names like Sonia Delaunay, Jutta Sika, and Sylvia Stave.

Małgorzata Czyńska, a respected author, journalist, and art historian, is known for her expertise in design criticism and as curator of numerous exhibitions. Her publications, including Kobro: A Leap into Space and Witkacy and Women, have gained acclaim in Poland and internationally. This biography of Julia Keilowa is a valuable addition to her body of work.

The event will be moderated by Marta Popławska, a journalist and culture enthusiast who is sure to foster an inspiring atmosphere for discussion.

We warmly invite all lovers of art history and Polish Art Deco to rediscover Julia Keilowa’s legacy and learn more about one of the most important figures in Polish design.

Free admission.

November 21, 2023, 6:00 PM
Hall 1, KinoGram Cinema, Norblin Factory