The past will be brought to life in an immersive mixture of physical and virtual events for the Chelsea History Festival 2021.

In response to the pandemic, the 2020 festival hosted a varied programme with events both in person and online. This year, the festival will focus on bringing people back to historic Chelsea – the perfect stage to explore, debate and celebrate history. Our online events reached a global audience and this year we will maintain that with a number of online only and hybrid events.

Taking place in the heart of London in partnership with three iconic institutions: the National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Chelsea and the Chelsea Physic Garden, this year’s diverse festival will host over 70 exciting physical and virtual events with more than 15 headline speakers, including James Holland, Olivette Otele and Jonathan Dimbleby, and feature a number of exclusive pre-publication launches.

Brand new for this year’s festival, the History Village in the heart of London will take visitors back through time to learn first-hand what life was like in Roman London or the First World War. This immersive outdoor event brings history to life with living historians, serving military units and local cultural organisations. Visitors will also have the opportunity to become knights in shining armour for the day as they clash blades at the Sword School, alongside a wide range of other family-friendly activities.

Events oriented around Polish history will include:

THE SPY WHO WAS LEFT OUT IN THE COLD

Join bestselling author Tim Tate to uncover the mysterious hidden story of Michał Goleniewski, the most important spy the West ever lost.

Saturday, 18 September 2021, 3.00pm – 4.00pm, National Army Museum (Foyle 1), £10.00

THE POLISH AIR FORCE IN BRITAIN

Join Jennifer Grant as she reveals the story behind the Polish Air Force and its little-known contribution to the Battle of Britain in 1940. 

Sunday, 19 September 2021, 11.30am – 12.30pm, National Army Museum (Foyle 1), £10.00

THE CONSTITUTION OF 3 MAY 1791 AND ITS DEFENCE

Professor Richard Butterwick-Pawlikowski reveals the undeniable significance of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth’s Constitution of 3 May 1791. 

Sunday, 19 September 2021, 1.30pm – 2.30pm, Online Only, £6.00

THE POLISH CAVALRY

Adam Zamoyski uncovers why the Polish Cavalry remained a formidable weapon and vital fighting force, even into the 20th century. 

Monday, 20 September 2021, 7.30pm – 8.30pm, National Army Museum (Foyle 2), £10.00

THE KATYN MASSACRE

Consider the impact of the Katyn Massacre with Jane Rogoyska and Carolyn Kirby in a panel discussion chaired by Roger Moorhouse.

Thursday, 23 September 2021 4.00pm – 5.00pm, National Army Museum (Foyle 2), £10.00

THE CICHOCIEMNI: THE POLISH ‘SILENT UNSEEN’

Discover the fascinating story of the Cichociemni, the elite Polish ‘Silent Unseen’, who trained in Britain and led the resistance in occupied Poland during the Second World War. 

Sunday, 26 September 2021, 7.00pm – 8.30pm, Online Only, £6.00