Teren Zielony (Green Zone)

"In the winter of 2008, I traveled to Poland driven by a desire to uncover the deep scars of its twentiethcentury history, including the German occupation, the Holocaust, and the Soviet annexation. I sought traces of these events in Jewish quarters, labor camps, and in elements of Polish identity like religion and architectural socialism. However, upon arrival, I found myself captivated by the beauty of Poland’s landscapes, the rolling agricultural fields, the Tatra Mountains, the forests in the "Thousand Lakes" region, and the snow-covered Baltic beaches. These relatively uninhabited areas reflected the community's ethics and aesthetics, remaining untouched by modernity. What began as a research journey evolved into an intimate exploration of silence, perception, and unexpected encounters, deeply affecting my soul. I often reminisced about the enchanting atmospheres of that winter, wishing to relive them. After fifteen years, I returned, apprehensive about the changes in Poland’s rapidly growing economy. I deliberately avoided urban centers, seeking the common thread of my past experiences. My goal was to rediscover those magical moments, knowing that any future visit might not allow me to reclaim the same enchantment. The photographs in this book were taken during the winters of 2008 and 2023"