Why I love Poland
Here are some facts that people usually know about Poland: Poland is in Europe, somewhere near Germany. In Poland, people speak a kind of Russian. World War II started from Poland. Pope John Paul II was Polish. In Poland began the fall of communism.
Poland is a proud, strong, Catholic, unique country. And all these features did it to help Poland keep its origins, traditions and its uniqueness, providing Poland an incredibly strong identity.
So, what makes Poland such a special place? 74 years after Adolf Hitler commanded its destruction, a walk in the streets of Warsaw gave me the answer. Memories of a dark history are hidden in tiny fragments all over the city. Ashamed and shy, buildings strive to liberate themselves from their ghosts.
In 1795 Poland ceased to exist. It was partitioned between Prussia, Russia, and Austria. Following World War I, the nation emerged as an independent state, only to be invaded 21 years later with the coordinated Nazi-Soviet invasions of the Second World War. Following Nazi occupation, Poland fell into the hands of the Red Army and despite its promises to the Allies to hold free elections, Russia installed a communist government.
And now I cannot cease to wonder: What country has been more resilient than Poland? What country has fought harder for its right to exist than Poland? What country’s history is more studded with heart-stopping, heart-breaking, hopeless, heroic acts of defiance than that of Poland?
The pictures in this series explore the reasons why I believe that no matter what happens to Poland, there will always be a Poland.
Why I love Poland
Here are some facts that people usually know about Poland: Poland is in Europe, somewhere near Germany. In Poland, people speak a kind of Russian. World War II started from Poland. Pope John Paul II was Polish. In Poland began the fall of communism.
Poland is a proud, strong, Catholic, unique country. And all these features did it to help Poland keep its origins, traditions and its uniqueness, providing Poland an incredibly strong identity.
So, what makes Poland such a special place? 74 years after Adolf Hitler commanded its destruction, a walk in the streets of Warsaw gave me the answer. Memories of a dark history are hidden in tiny fragments all over the city. Ashamed and shy, buildings strive to liberate themselves from their ghosts.
In 1795 Poland ceased to exist. It was partitioned between Prussia, Russia, and Austria. Following World War I, the nation emerged as an independent state, only to be invaded 21 years later with the coordinated Nazi-Soviet invasions of the Second World War. Following Nazi occupation, Poland fell into the hands of the Red Army and despite its promises to the Allies to hold free elections, Russia installed a communist government.
And now I cannot cease to wonder: What country has been more resilient than Poland? What country has fought harder for its right to exist than Poland? What country’s history is more studded with heart-stopping, heart-breaking, hopeless, heroic acts of defiance than that of Poland?
The pictures in this series explore the reasons why I believe that no matter what happens to Poland, there will always be a Poland.
