In the main hall of the Geological Museum of the Polish Geological Institute - PIB at ul. Rakowiecka 4 in Warsaw a new temporary exhibition has opened.

The exhibition entitled "The World in the Hands of Polish Geologists" presents the wide range of geological work carried out by Polish explorers on different continents, often in exotic locations with specific climatic conditions and the associated arduousness of the work.

The exhibition presents not only the substantive scope of activities, but also the nature of work, living conditions, difficulties and joys experienced by Polish geologists in the most remote corners of the world - in a word, their everyday life. The exhibition featured original specimens from all over the world, souvenirs hand-carried from distant countries and knowledge gained in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, Antarctica and the oceans.

It is difficult to find a patch of land in the world where Polish geologists have not been active, albeit in a small way. From the far North, to the landmasses of Antarctica, from the Commander Islands to the peaks of the Andes, traces of their basic geological research, mapping, engineering and exploration work, as well as training and educational activities can be found. Many of these places retain geographical names given in honour of discoveries and other achievements made by Poles.

The opening of the exhibition at the Geological Museum took place on December 8, 2023 during the St. Barbara's Day (Barbórka) celebration at PGI-PIB.

New opportunities opened up for Polish geologists after the Second World War. Cooperation between the governments of people's democracies, especially programmes to support less developed countries, resulted in numerous research expeditions and contracts carried out on different continents, often in very exotic places. Trips were made through agreements between academies of science, universities, but also on a contractual basis through state-owned companies such as Polimex Cekop, Geofizyka Toruń, etc. UN contracts were also implemented.

Following Poland's accession to the European Union, Polish geologists have undertaken numerous hydrogeological activities and engineering and resource exploration works in the African regions. The PanAfGeo programme, implemented by Poland, consists of interaction between European and African geological surveys.

Some of the many artefacts gathered at the exhibition