Photo: View of the mountain hut. A group of hikers led by Dr. Mieczysław Orłowicz can be seen in the meadow during the so-called “August excursions,” 1936–1936. Source: National Digital Archives.
Where does the familiar map end, and where does the true story of a place begin? What lies beneath the surface of the landscape—in its history, in its memory, and in the lives of the people who shaped it? The spring edition of the literary series “On the Other Side” is an invitation to journey through Poland as seen in a different light—more deeply, more attentively, off the beaten path.
Thanks to Anna Kamińska and Tomasz Słomczyński, we’ll take our readers deep into the Bieszczady Mountains and below sea level—to the Żuławy region. We’ll explore the histories of these places and the people connected to them. We’ll explore the past—both historical and in terms of the landscape—asking who once inhabited these regions, what became of the ethnic groups that settled there, and what role they played for the local population. We’ll consider what attracts tourists today and whether it’s possible to live for the rest of one’s life in the harsh climate of the Bieszczady Mountains and the floodplains of Żuławy. This literary journey will not only serve as inspiration for the upcoming summer vacation but also as an opportunity to view the map of Poland from a new perspective.
“On the Other Side” is a series of events centered on nonfiction literature. We invite the authors of the most interesting new releases to explore themes of identity, landscape, regionalism, and architecture. It is also a space for conversation about what shapes our experience of place—both on a local scale and on a broader, cultural level.
Admission is free. Due to the intimate setting and limited seating, please arrive starting at 6:30 p.m.
Tomasz Słomczyński: Delta. Through the Żuławy Region
April 29, 7:00 p.m.
Tomasz Słomczyński – journalist and reporter for TVN24.pl. He lives in Sopot. He has published in Wirtualna Polska, “Duży Format,” “Plus Minus,” “Magazyn Świąteczny,” and “Dziennik Bałtycki,” among others. Winner of the Wirtual 2025 Award, nominated for the Grand Press Award (for the film *Ocalałe*, with Piotr Szymanek). Author of the books: *Ask the Hedgehog and Other Stories*, *Cursed Places*, *Kaszëbë*, *Sopot*, and *Delta: Through Żuławy*; co-author of *Buried at Night*. *Kaszëbë* was nominated for the 2021 Travelers Award and the Witold Pilecki Award; the books *Kaszëbë* and *Sopoty* received awards in the “Costerina” competition (2022, 2023).
Is it really possible to get to know a place that’s right next to us, yet still feels foreign? Żuławy—stretching below sea level, marked by the presence of water and the constant risk of flooding—hides stories that defy simple descriptions.
Tomasz Słomczyński will take us on this literary journey, guiding us through the landscape visible from the hills of Gdańsk—a landscape full of hidden stories. During the event, we’ll take a closer look at the region’s past—we’ll try to answer questions about who its pre-war residents were and what happened to them after the war.
We will also explore how this challenging environment affects everyday life and interpersonal relationships, and how the landscape shapes identity. “Delta: Through Żuławy” is not only a story about history, but also about the melancholic, unique world of the Vistula Delta.
Hosted by: Michał Tokarczyk
NEW DATE: Anna Kamińska: Don’t Ask. Stories from the Bieszczady Mountains
NEW DATE: September 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Anna Kamińska—a graduate of Polish Studies at the University of Warsaw and a reporter who writes for publications including *Gazeta Wyborcza*. She is the author of the book *Odnalezieni* and the biographies *Simona* (2015), *Wanda* (2017), *Halina* (2019), and *Kotański* (2021), which have been translated into several languages. *Simona* was adapted into a stage play (2020) and a film (2024). She is the recipient of, among others, the Wiesław Kazanecki Award and the Zakopane Literary Award; *Wanda* was nominated for the Empik Bestsellers list. She is also the author of *Marek Jackowski. Louder!* (2023; nominated for the “Wawrzyn” Award) and co-author of the “Mosty” series by the Powszechne Czytanie Foundation.
What lies hidden in the silence of the Bieszczady forests? What stories are etched into a landscape that, at first glance, seems wild and impenetrable? A conversation with Anna Kamińska about her latest book, *Nie dopytuj się* (“Don’t Ask”), is a journey deep into the Bieszczady Mountains—both the geographical ones and those hidden in the memories of people and places.
Together with the author, we’ll wander along forest paths, following in the footsteps of the former inhabitants of these lands and exploring a history marked by violence and crime. We’ll discover the richness of the Bieszczady’s natural world, exploring its flora and fauna, and meet long-time villagers whose lives are inextricably linked to this region.
Stories about extraordinary women—Maria Kownacka, Zofia Komedowa, and Joanna Hasior—who decided to leave their lives in Warsaw behind and find their own path in the Bieszczady Mountains will take center stage. Their choices become stories of freedom, closeness to nature, and the courage to start over.
Hosted by: Natalia Koralewska
Organizer: Palma
Foundation. The Palma Foundation’s projects on Jaśkowa Dolina Street are funded by the City of Gdańsk as part of the “Social Spaces of Culture” program.
