Project “Poland” is a story about the biggest country in Eastern and Central Europe. A country which for over fifty years had been under Russian influence. This influence can be seen nowadays, even though since 1989 Poland has been a free, democratic country, and since 2004 has been member of European Union. However, fifty years of Russian influence and communism became the reason of the economic and cultural backwardness. Since twenty years Poland has been trying to catch up with Europe.
Project “Poland” is a trial of showing a country which is changing constantly. Stormy transformation and economic changes provide the cultural and social ones. The last two decades were so dynamic, that uninterrupted development often became a synonym of many chaotic and unpredictable decisions and activities. Often the only way of using freedom and democracy is now thinking of profits. Polish society is now mixture of two different ways of living. First one, western friendly, is trying to imitate rich Western Europe. Second, the traditional one, is being faithful to Catholicism and polish culture.
Showing two faces of Polish people – traditional and the new, capitalistic one – that’s the task of Project “Poland”. Showing how these two ways of living are mixing together and creating the world they live in. Pictures were taken during many secular and ecclesiastical festivities. Author was travelling around Poland and trying to catch everyday life of people in big cities, towns, and small villages as well. What is the most important in the results of photographer’s work – the difference, contrast, some kind of absurdity. “Poland” Project is a document which shows the tension of citizens of the country that tries to be recognizable in today’s Europe.
About Tomasz Wiech
Born in 1979, lives in Krakow, Master of Art in Political Sciences. From 2004 has worked for one of the biggest polish daily newspaper “Gazeta Wyborcza”. Documentary photographer focused on last changes in Eastern Europe. His photo cycles were made in Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine.
