Festivals & Events

Eryk Lipinski (1908-1991) was one of the best-known Polish caricaturists. His idea was always to collect many works by all possible caricature artists and to show them in one place. His dream came true when finally, after a long search, he found a beautiful 18th-century building in Kozia Street. The museum now has over 18,000 works in its vast collection and hosts various exhibitions all year long. It has organized over 300 exhibitions here and 200 abroad.

I must say I am very proud of having such a museum in Warsaw – this is the only place like this in Poland, and only one of about 50 in the whole world, so we definitely have something to be proud of. I have been here a few times and I find the exhibitions very up-to-date, interesting, tracing the important things you definitely have to know about.

This is a perfect place for people who don’t know the Polish language because there are also some works with no text, easily understood if you have a cultural knowledge of our times. If you want to have an intelligent laugh, or if you want to see today’s problems, please make sure you drop in and have a look at the current exhibition.

The museum is now reopened with a new exhibition (conspiration drawings).

How cool, I thought as I entered this new place well advertised by Lanberry who sang there on a Friday two weeks ago. Big, spacious interiors, original design (black chandeliers, huge mirrors in metal frames, high-polished bar). The owner/ manager has taken care of even the smallest details: interesting wallpaper, baskets, scented candles, blankets.

This joyous combination of details is accompanied by excellent food and even better wines (the wine list contains more than 30 wines from all over the world, I must say the Ochagavia ’09 was absolutely brilliant). Make sure you also try the apple pie – I think this was the best one I’ve ever had in my entire life!

There are concerts to come. Check here for more info.

This website was recommended to me almost three years ago by a friend of mine. She knew I was a student at that time and as any student I was also short of money. This is why I missed many brilliant performances in Warsaw and I hardly had the possibility to enjoy anything at the end of the month.

Then I got to know warszawagratis.info and I started going out and enjoying the Warsaw life absolutely… for free! The website lists cultural activities for a given day about a week in advance. You should not be too angry in the summer time – this is when the website suspends all activity until September, so there is not much to be found there. Also now the website gives information about far less performances than about a year or two ago – still it’s worth a visit to check on free museum admissions.

P.S. Yes, I know this is a website but it really is helpful when you are lost in the Warsaw’s cultural offer.

Several times a year an interesting and fresh visual feast takes place in Warsaw: an art market where students and ex-students (but who have left the Academy no longer than 2 years before) of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw exhibit their works. This is not only a chance to look at the youngest Warsaw art ideas, but also to buy some original works at a fair price.

The market has something for everyone: all possible materials (graphic art, paintings, handicrafts, even arty toys) and all possible types (avant-garde, abstract, still life) of art are exhibited. The degree of novelty of the ideas differs: some students paint Klimt in their own colors beautifully, some have their own surprising styles (line-wise paintings that almost look like woven on canvas, huge black or gray girls sitting, Africa-influenced pictures in lurid, gaudy colors).

Remember: the idea behind the market is that it should be an opportunity to meet the artists and to chat a little bit, so make the most of it and always try to haggle over the price.

The next market in Warsaw takes place on 27 May and 24 June!