Kynren, located in County Durham, recently hosted a team from Poland’s Park Dzieje to exchange insights about their respective live spectaculars.

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Both Kynren and Park Dzieje’s night show, The Eagle and the Cross, draw inspiration from their national heritage, with both organisations sharing a commitment to bringing together volunteers to narrate their countries' histories.

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The Eagle and the Cross depicts Poland’s journey from the formation of the Polish State to its fight for independence, featuring over 1,500 historical figures.

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Park Dzieje operates with 350 volunteers, making it smaller in scale compared to Kynren’s 1,000-strong cast and crew. Nonetheless, the two attractions found valuable lessons to share during their knowledge-exchange visit.

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Nine members from Park Dzieje visited Bishop Auckland to experience Kynren – An Epic Tale of England. During their stay, they toured the Kynren site, meeting with various departments to discuss industry practices and insights.

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Stefan Ogorzalek, who oversees volunteer management and the skills workshop academy at Park Dzieje, said: “Kynren is truly exceptional. Several of its effects are similar to those in our show, and its scenography, like the surrounding landscape, is stunning.

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“The most valuable lesson we’ve learned from Kynren is that we share common values. We both see heritage and the storytelling of our ancestors’ history as a powerful way to connect people. This shared vision is rooted in our common European heritage. We are thrilled to have discovered this and believe it will enhance our preparations for the upcoming season of The Eagle and the Cross.”

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What began as a brief visit evolved into a three-day itinerary, with Wendy Wilshere, Kynren’s Head of Volunteer Casting and Engagement, curating a must-see tour of the area. Alongside experiencing Kynren, the Park Dzieje team also visited the Beamish Museum, Bishop Auckland’s Faith Museum, and a local street food market, where they met Kynren’s volunteer recruitment team.

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Wendy emphasised the value of these exchanges for the tourism sector both in the UK and across Europe, stating: “Park Dzieje’s set-up is similar to Kynren’s, so it makes perfect sense to collaborate and exchange ideas.

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“If the knowledge gained from Kynren and other attractions visited can support the development of Park Dzieje and enhance their community’s involvement, we would be delighted to have hosted them here in the famously warm and welcoming Bishop Auckland.”

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