Archives for “local” tag

The National Museum in Warsaw has been through quite a lot lately: new exhibitions, new graphic design, new website, new cafe. The changes made are visible: one of the new exhibitions called: “The Elevated. From pharaohs to Lady GaGa” was an absolute hit and the exhibits astounded also the greatest admirers of art.

There are many ancient sculptures and reliefs, some of them from the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, works of Lucas Cranach the Older, busts of the famous and unfamous. From modern times: photos by Poremba or a giant work of Nicholas Robespierre, a French protographer based in Warsaw. My personal favorite was a red and white set of chess, a rare and extremely precisely carved rarity, and portraits of one of the Sejm members at the beginning of the 20 Centrury.

The National Museum has also a new art/book shop (in the picture above) – an endless source of engaged books, interesting t-shirts, postcards and gadgets. Also a corner for the youngest art fans is there – many of the books and plays are just ideal for a gift.

About two months ago the Gallery of 20 and 21 Century was opened here – it’s definitely worth a visit too.

If you are looking for an exhibition, a film, a book, a talk about any Polish historical topic, have a look at the website of Dom Spotkań z Historią (History Meeting House).

For example, recently they organized a great exhibition of post-war pictures from 1947 by Henry N. Cobb in colour (!) – I must say it really awoke a strange feeling to see the same, destroyed Warsaw of that time in this strange, almost modern way. Some time ago they had an exhibition “Polacy z wyboru” (English “Poles of their own choice”). Most of their projects are accompanied by publications (to be bought in their shop).

DSH has a wide range of school programmes – not necessarily interesting for visitors, but nice to know that the children are taught the new way of perceiving history – through, for example, urban games. This together with a wide range of all-historical topics and the way they are discussed makes this place a must for all people interested in Polish history.

Muzeum Historii Żydów Polskich, or the Musuem of the History of Polish Jews, is the newest museum in Warsaw. It was erected in the Muranów district, where before the 2nd World War the vibrant heart of Jewish Warsaw was.

The building of the museum is already finished. I highly recommend a visit for the ones who like modern architecture as much as I do. The beautiful, perfectly regular and greenish building is a work of art itself. Whenever I go to northern Warsaw, I rarely miss a chance to have short look at its magnificent facade, that mirrors the 1948 Ghetto Heroes monument of Natan Rappaport. 

The museum has opened its gates on the 19th April 2013, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. It’s opening was attended by thousands Varsovians and guest from abroad, including last surviviors of Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943. Its permanent exhibition is not ready yet, but the Museum already runs many interesting projects. You can visit them for a lecture on Jewish history, to take part in a so called “gra miejska”, or “urban game” organized around Muranów district. I go there sometimes for Jewish movie screenings or diverse workshops. 

I participated in Polish-Israeli students exchange organized by the Museum and was really surprised by the friendly atmosphere of the Museum. It is not a kind of cold institution, but rather a young and still shaping itself amalgam of people. 

I can’t wait to finally see their permanent exhibition at the end of 2013.

Fundacja Bęc Zmiana (which roughly translates to “Bump Change Foundation“) is an important point of Warsaw culture and its art scene. Established in 2002, and directed by Bogna Świątkowska, Fundacja Bęc Zmiana has contributed throughout the years to the renaissance of Warsaw cultural life. It was Bęc Zmiana that initiated the changes of Powiśle district (exactly on the riverside). They brought three, pink illuminated deers there (I would describe them rather as reindeers) which was kind of the “beginning of the beginning” of turning Powiśle into what it is now: an area full of students and packed with cafes and bars, but not yet gentrified. Bęc Zmiana has also created a collection of new Warsaw city gadgets (for example a kind of stress ball in the shape of Warsaw’s Palace of Culture).

I really enjoy visiting the shop of Bęc Zmiana at Mokotowska. It is not only about 5 minutes from where I live, but it also offers a chance to get a new cool book on Warsaw or to get info about upcoming events. Bęc Zmiana publishes their one guide about cultural events in Warsaw (Notes.Na.6.Tygodni). I also highly recommend their map for young travellers “Use-it-Warsaw” (to download here).

I think that partly thanks to Bęc Zmiana it became popular among Varsovians to be fascinated with Warsaw and its past. This should be definitely considered as a well-earned success. 

Note: Their English website is kept up-to date and many of the books are also in English

Między nami is a classy yet not snobby spot to take a break from the urban life. It’s located close to the widely populated Nowy Swiat, on Bracka street. They have both indoor and outdoor serving, and it’s a great place to sit down, order a coffee or a beer and perhaps something to eat. 

When it comes to the food, they offer various meals depending on which day it is, but they also have a set of plates that differ from month to month.

During the summer months I would definitely recommend sitting outside, even orderin just a cup of coffee or tea and observe the Warsaw life from the table.