fbpx

The competition for a mural by Galeria Krakowska shopping centre is starting

Krakow’s space will be richer with another literary mural – this international competition will identify the design to cover the northern wall of the Galeria Krakowska Shopping Centre.The author of the winning work, inspired by Stanisław Lem’s literature, will receive 15 000 PLN!

“We welcome visual artists, particularly dealing with street art,” says Artur Wabik, Krakow artist and Artistic Director of the competition.“We don’t care about their experience, as we count both on applications from experienced artists, and on debutants.”

The competition is organised on the initiative of Skanska who is currently constructing High5ive complex of office buildings on Pawia Street, next to the planned mural.“Our investment closes the long-term process of revitalising the area near the Main Railway Station in Krakow,” Ewa Koziana from Skanska Property Poland points out.”The contest for the mural, and then execution of the winning design, will help to improve the quality of public space around High5ive,” she adds.

“Four years are passing since we resolved the «Mall Wall Art» international competition for mural on the Galeria Krakowska Centre from the side of the Railway Station,” reminds Jarosław Szymczak, Director of Galeria Krakowska.“The work by Justyna Posiecz-Polkowska, referring to the art of Jan Szczepkowski, has become a landmark of the city.I hope that the new mural will become another high-end landmark of Krakow.

The buildings of High5ive, Galeria Krakowska, and the Railway Station form part of the main transport node in Krakow, with crossings of pedestrian, vehicle, tram, and railway trails.This means that the mural executed according to the winning design will be viewed on daily basis by thousands of passengers, residents, and office employees.Designing an attractive painting for such a large group of viewers is a major challenge.

In a way, this task may be made easier by the topic involving the work by outstanding Krakow writer, Stanisław Lem, which is perfect for the space.“We hope that the rich literary works by the author will serve as inspiration to participants,” says Robert Piaskowski,Deputy Programme Director at the Krakow Festival Office which cooperates with the organisers.“Such a topic perfectly matches the long-term programme to cherish the memory of Stanisław Lem under the KBF’s programme UNESCO City of Literature, which is to have its highlight at the 100th birthday anniversary, upcoming in a few years,” he points out.

Murals form an indispensable element of an urban landscape, inscribing into the historical, social, and urban context of cities.Such artistic interventions are increasingly organised not only by city artists, but also by private investors who, owing to cooperation with municipal authorities and local entities, help to improve urban space.Frequently – as in this case – such measures are performed in cooperation of several public and private entities, which extends the range of action, guarantees proper organisation, and contributes to their prestige.

“Stanisław Lem could unerringly guess human nature, hence his works are still up to date,” adds Artur Wabik.“I wish all applicants that their works and designs prove equally timeless and perfectly matching with the urban tissue.

mural-baner

 

Applications can be sent via an interactive form at the website: www.high5ive.pl from June 5 to August 31, 2017. The result will be announced in the first half of September, while the award will be handed in during one of the event accompanying Stanisław Lem’s 96th birthday anniversary.The execution of the winning work is planned for autumn 2017.The main prize totals 15 000 PLN.

This is one of the most awaited book premieres this year. On August 2, Wydawnictwo Czarne with AGORA publishing houses will present Lem. Życie nie z tej ziemi [Lem. Life out of this world] by Wojciech Orliński – the first Polish biography of the author of The Cyberiad. Patronage over the book is held by Krakow UNESCO City of Literatue and lem.pl – the official Stanisław Lem website. The promotion of the book will be accompanied with a series of meetings with the author and literary critics, organised within major cultural events in Poland. All fans of Lem’s literature are invited to Krakow in September to celebrate Stanisław Lem’s birthday anniversary. Details will be available soon!

Lem. Życie nie z tej ziemi includes over 400 pages, where Wojciech Orliński, using still unpublished sources, explains certain mysteries from the writer’s life. How did Lem survive the Holocaust? Did he ever believe in communism? Why did he abandon the profitable career of a welder in 1945? How did he learn to read in English? What did he buy for the royalties for The Magellan Nebula [also known as The Magellanic Cloud]? What was it about in Solaris and why didn’t Andrzej Wajda finally turn it into a film?How the penpal friendship with Philip K. Dick turn into hatred, as a result of which Dick wrote a famous denunciation against Lem to the FBI? What were the links between Lem and Karol Wojtyła? How were the original versions of FiascoHis Master’s Voice and The Chain of Chance different from what Lem finally sent to his publisher? What did Lem’s cooperation with the democratic opposition look like? What mystery was hidden in the shed at the writer’s yard? When and where did Lem try drugs and what were his experiences? How much does the Rubens dachshund weigh? What was it like in PRL to buy a car, a house, “New York Times”, pass for the Kasprowy Mount, ignition switch for your Fiat, or a marzipan bar? And what does “sztamajza” mean?

The premiere of the book is accompanied with a nation-wide promotion trail with Wojciech Orliński’s meetings with the readers (upcoming events):

  • August 1 – Teatr nad Wisłą “Klancyk z Lema feat. Wojciech Orliński”
  • August 5 – OFF Festival Katowice, Kawiarnia Literacka
  • August 14 – Częstochowa, Odwach
  • August 17 – Literary Sopot
  • August 25-26 – POLCON Lublin
  • September 5 – Dreamers and Craftmen.House of Social Innovation (Warsaw)
  • September 12 – Stanisław Lem’s birthday anniversary in Krakow (Kino Kijów)
  • September 28 – Copernicus Science Centre, Warsaw
  • October 26-29 – Conrad Festival, Book Fair in Krakow

In the meantime, feel invited to the celebration of Stanisław Lem’s birthday anniversary in Krakow (September 9-12), which will include:LemCon convent, final of the Lem mural contest, another edition of the Krakow Book Fair, a walk following traces of Stanisław Lem, and a celebrated gala at Kino Kijów.

Lem. Życie nie z tej ziemi

The XIth Annual Meeting of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network took place in Enghien-les-Bains, France, this month (30 June to 2 July 2017). The event gathered over 300 participants, including a large number of mayors and representatives from more than 100 Creative Cities.

24 delegates from 15 designated UNESCO Cities of Literature attended: Barcelona, Dublin, Edinburgh, Granada, Heidelberg, Iowa City, Krakow, Ljubljana, Lviv, Norwich, Nottingham, Prague, Reykjavik, Tartu and Ulyanovsk. Dunedin and Dublin were also represented by Mayor Dave Cull and Deputy Mayor Rebecca Moynihan.

Cities of Literature met privately to present work, discuss future collaborations and share best practice. The Cities of Literature sub-group co-ordinator, Justyn Jochym from Krakow City of Literature, presented the work of the literature cities to all delegates from across the Creative City Network, and Krakow’s plans to jointly host the 2018 annual Creative City Network conference with Katowice, a UNESCO City of Music. Mayors from Dunedin and Dublin gave presentation on their cities and areas of excellence.

More broadly across the network, the conference saw the adoption of a new Strategic Framework which lays the foundations for future growth, and refines the strategic objectives and future actions.

“This provides the UNESCO Creative Cities Network with a common vision to move forward together, towards making the most of our Network and cities.” declared Francesco Bandarin, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture. “The UCCN tackles our societies’ challenges and builds more people-centred cities. Being a Creative City is not a trend, it is a reality. It is the way to foster sustainable urban development, in economic, social and environmental terms. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we need the powerful tools that are culture and creativity.”

In addition, Mayors of the network have adopted a Declaration calling on Creative Cities to further integrate culture into their policies and facilitate cooperation based on creativity and innovation.

The network has grown rapidly in the last five years and now stands at 116 cities in 54 counties. More cities are expected to join the Creative City Network in November 2017, as UNESCO makes further appointments to the global network. New cities will specialise in one of seven creative fields: literature, design, film, gastronomy, crafts and folk art, media arts and music.

img_2830

For more information: click here

Exactly in one month, we are about to host the second edition of NON-FICTION Documentary Festival.On August 25-27, you will be able to meet  Artur Domosławski, Andrzej Mularczyk, Aleksandra Lipczak, Tomasz Grzywaczewski, Paweł P. Reszka, Konrad Kruczkowski, or Katarzyna Kwiatkowska-Moskalewicz. The event will be co-organised by the Krakow Festival Office, operator of the Krakow UNESCO City of Literature programme.

The first edition of the festival was organised under the theme of BORDERS.This year, the organisers have decided for CHANGE.

“With the authors, we will attempt to find the answer to questions about the nature of changes, their pace, importance, image, and impact on our everyday lives,” says Szymon Pasaj from the Re-prezentacje Association who organises the festival.  “«Change» as the theme for the festival has a very broad meaning – from global changes, galloping technological revolution, and grand social movements, through single local stories that we could not imagine even five years ago,” he adds.

Artur Domosławski is one of the major Polish reporters of the 21st century.He is the author of the “Kapuściński. Non-fiction” bestseller that acted as an earthquake among Polish reporters and received considerable publicity worldwide.His last collection of documentaries from the global south (Wykluczeni/The Excluded) is a shocking image of people deprived of voice, meaning, often self-ness, and we will be pleased to talk with him about the pauperisation, exclusion, precariat, and masses without the voice.

Fans of non-fiction literature need no introduction for Andrzej Mularczyk.He is the Nestor of Polish documentary.  A writer, reporter, scriptwriter, radio journalist.A true treasure of reporter knowledge (born in 1930).  His entire life is a continuous change; the festival will be a unique opportunity to see Andrzej Mularczyk live in Krakow.

This year’s edition of the festival will be held in several locations: the centre will be located on Dolnych Młynów Street, but meetings will also take place at Pauza in Garden.The organisers wish to continue the ambitious assumption to show various shades of documentary:literature, film, radio, and photos.Leading Polish reporters have confirmed their participation in the meetings, discussions, and exhibitions.

The NON-FICTION Festival is the first Polish event entirely dedicated to documentaries.

non-fiction-2017

Announcements, biographies, curiosities, and new information to be found at the festival sites on  facebook and www.nonfiction.pl.

Three UNESCO Cities of Literature have already announced the calls for applications for residency programmes. Prague, Tartu and Granada have declared to cover accommodation, scholarships and travel costs to writers and translators. The most important requirement? At least one publication issued

Soon  – on 10 August – the call of applications will close in Tartu, Estonia. Only one candidate will be selected, who will spend two months (October-November) in the former house of an Estonian writer, Karl Ristikivi. In addition to scholarship (600 EUR per month) and return travel costs to Estonia (up to 350 EUR) will be reimbursed. Details: here

Prague has given the applicants time until the end of summer holidays. The city will host six writers  until December 2018 . Each of them will spend two months in the capital of the Czech Republic, and will also be awarded a monthly scholarship of EUR 600. The holder of residency will be required to write a brief literary text inspired by his/her stay in Prague.

More information: here

Granda, Spain, will collect applications early in autumn. The call of applications is addressed to residents of UNESCO Creative Cities aged 25 — 45. Two selected writers will spend a month (20.10-20.11) in Corrala de Santiago, the official residency place of the University of Granada. Following the organiser’s requirements, the candidates should send their applications to Krakow UNESCO City of Literature (to the address: efoltyniak@biurofestiwalowe.pl), and then they applications will be sent to the City of Granada.

More details are available: here

 

 

creative_city_tartu_enpraga-logo-unesco-jpgcreative_city_granada_en

 

 

 

Your application is welcome!

Literature on the 27th Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow, co-organized by us for the third time already, has come to an end.For nine hot days of June and July, at the Krakow Kazimierz District, under the theme of “Common Jerusalem – Jerusalem of communities”, we discussed the complicated and non-uniform identity, as well as the overwhelming charm of cities at the edge of Asia and Europe, and about life in the shadow of religion at the verge of various cultures and traditions.

Our guests included Wojciech Jagielski – one of major Polish reporters in the recent decades, Charles King, author of literary biographies of Istanbul and Odessa, Max Cegielski, Paweł Smoleński, Marcin Gutowski, and many other outstanding writers, reporters, and academic researchers.Kids took part in the workshop with Daria Solak – author of illustrations to the book Ala ma kota. A Ali?, learning first sentences in several languages of the world; we also printed unique notebooks, learning the techniques of traditional printing in the special Józef Rakoczy laboratory at the Museum of Municipal Engineering.At the end of the literary trail, during a walk with Łukasz Orbitowski, we could visit less known and less remembered image of Kazimierz from the turn of the 1980’s and the 1990’s.

See the gallery of photos from some festival events!Photos by Szymon Makuch and Bartosz Dittmar.

 

Pasmo literackie na 27. FKŻ, fot. Bartosz Dittmar

Literature on the 27th Jewish Culture Festival, fot. Bartosz Dittmar

The silly season phenomenon clearly does not affect literary life in Krakow.Specially for the beginning of summer holidays, the Krakow Festival Office – operator of the Krakow UNESCO City of Literature programme invites you to the Krakow Book Fair – another edition of cyclical open-air event where we present the offer of booksellers from Krakow and the region.The fair will be held on Sunday, July 9, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the charming Marii Magdaleny Square.

The Second-Hand Bookstores Hulaj PoleAbecadłoSzafa Pełna Książek and our friends from Katowice Second-Hand Bookstores Suszek and 451stopni; Hobby Bookstore FankomiksAmerican Bookstore, and Świat w Tunelu who usually operates in the underpass near the “Jubilat” Department Store, as well as booksellers known from Sunday mornings at Hala Targowa – second-hand book offer at the Krakow Book Fair seems great as usual!The idea behind the fair organised since 2016 is to popularise second-hand books as full-value reading for the young and the old, and to remind about the long antiquarian tradition of the first Polish UNESCO City of Literature event.

At the fair, you can also have coffee from the Bike Café, taste exquisite hummus from Hummus Amamamusi, and roasted chestnuts from Pan Kasztan.

The fair will also boast cultural events, including the meeting with editors of KONTENT and WIDMA poetry magazinesplanned for 2:00 PM. WIDMA gathers some of the best contemporary and avant-garde poets from Poland and the USA, offering parallel translations of poetry.This is also the first ever publication by Massolit Bookstore (4 Felicjanek Street).KONTENT quarterly is a fresh title by students of the Polish studies at the Jagiellonian University.

At 4:00 PM, Paweł Chojnacki will deliver a lecture about Zygmunt Nowakowski.The lecture with the presentation of antique publications from the author’s archives will be a great opportunity to remind about this great, but forgotten Cracovian – writer and journalist with a very vivid biography (1891-1963).During the fair, you can also come across a Lotna Czytelnia (Mobile Library) bike of the Voivodeship Public Library in Krakow, where you can borrow books entirely for free with no time limit for reading.

JOIN US AT MARII MAGDALENY SQUARE!

 

kkk-banner-9-07-2017-784_296_px

The Krakow Book Fair is organised by Krakow Festival Office, operator of the Krakow UNESCO City of Literature programme.

Enter the search phrase: