May 18, 2013 | 7 pm

Confectionery „Delicje” | Gdynia, 10 lutego Street no. 27

How were cookies baked in times of deficit of sugar, eggs and butter? Why on Fat Thursday were citizens of Gdynia threatened by having a cookieless day? How was the taste of the communist era?

The Emigration Museum in Gdynia has come up with a recipe for the Sweetest Night of the Year at the cult confectionery „Delicje”, which will transport us to the communist era Gdynia. Opened in 1979, the coffee house characterized by its unique interior design has endured the hardest moments in supply shortages and enjoys massive popularity to this day. Especially for the Night of Museums, „Delicje” has prepared a special menu and none the less sweet discounts. As additional attraction the venue will display photographs of the place from the 80s and 90s, featuring unforgettable clerks wearing aprons, flaming ice-cream in steel cups and „Marcello” cakes.

The city aura, sea breeze, and scent of ships in the port and shipyard of Gdynia may be found within the exhibition of photographs by Janusz Uklejowski – a remarkable documentary of city’s life. The esteemed photographer registered the reality of the past epoch in an inimitable way, portrayed people of the sea, workshops, and carefree plays of children on Gdynia’s backdrop.

The absurd dimension of the communist era will unravel by means of official decrees and newspaper headlines gathered by Małgorzata Sokołowska in her book „Cookieless days” – among them a decree forbidding serving and sale of any confectionary products on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, as well as reports concerning shortages of onion, vinegar prices and oranges for holidays.

All those queuing up to enter the venue will be entertained by the attractions prepared by the Emigration Museum, including Polaroid photos, thematic games and other specialties straight from the communist era.