When designing the displays, we wanted to show just how much work goes into making a single bar of chocolate, how much time it takes, how many kilometres are travelled, and, most importantly, that there are people behind it all. A person who devotes their entire life to ensuring that, when we go to the shop, we can buy our favourite chocolate without a second thought. A person who writes by hand on every little cake. A taster who, for years, makes sure that every box of chocolates that lands in our hands for our birthdays tastes exactly the same.
The team of people behind the pleasure of eating chocolate includes not only those of today, but above all those who were there at the very beginning of this story. The Chocolate Factory is an interactive centre telling the story of chocolate, particularly that of the Wedel family, who created this unique place – the factory in which the exhibition is housed.
The lives of three generations of the Wedel family revolved around chocolate. Karol, Emil and Jan were passionate about it. A confectioner, an alchemist and a social activist – each of them ensured that chocolate was produced under the best possible conditions. We remind people of this and try to tell this story to our visitors.
We strive to view chocolate in the broadest possible context. From cocoa beans right through to packaging design. We do not overlook any stage nor neglect any process, behind which stand experienced and passionate people – they are the guides to the exhibition.
We eschew typical museum exhibits and sterile spaces. On the contrary – we want children and adults to touch, feel and try things out. We want visitors to actively participate in the tour and experience it with all their senses. We have drawn on modern scientific research to create a space that stimulates the imagination and educates in a contemporary way.
We have created various pathways so that every visitor can find what interests them most. The exhibition space is open to change and flexible, so as to surprise visitors on their next visit.
We have created the Chocolate Factory as a source of knowledge and experience. A place where you can learn about the production process and discover whose hands created this extraordinary product.
The different zones into which the building is divided will guide visitors through the various stages of chocolate-making. We are in a real factory, and the main axis of the route—which dictates the sequence of events, the character of the space and the attractions that fill it—is the CHOCOLATE PRODUCTION PROCESS.
Presenting this process in an engaging and memorable way requires a variety of creative touches, such as bringing a piece of the jungle into the factory or turning back the clock to illustrate the era of significant technological changes.
