“On the Other Side” is a series of events centered on nonfiction literature, born out of the need to look at the world from a different, less obvious perspective. Out of curiosity and a desire to see what defies simple definitions. It is a space for delving deeper, exploring, and observing both what lies before us and what is happening within ourselves. We invite the authors of the most intriguing new releases to explore themes of identity, landscape, regionalism, and architecture, as well as what shapes our experience of place—on both a local and broader, cultural scale.
During the fall edition of the series, we will focus on memory—the space where we store stories and people, painful experiences, and happy moments. Thanks to memory, those who have passed away can still be with us, and places that no longer exist continue to evoke emotions. It is thanks to memory that what has passed does not disappear completely: the past can return, shift in meaning, and demand to be retold.
We’ll kick off the fall installment of the series with a meeting with Anna Kamińska and a story about the Bieszczady Mountains as seen through the biographies of extraordinary women who have left their mark on the history of this place. Katarzyna Surmiak-Domańska will discuss what we pass down from generation to generation, but also what we do not speak of—and what, despite our silence, remains ever-present. Alicja Kobza will recount the stories of women—graphic artists, artists, and designers—whose work helped shape the visual culture of the People’s Republic of Poland, even though they themselves remained on the margins of that culture for years. Błażej Ciarkowski, in turn, will examine vacations in the People’s Republic of Poland and the memories that remain of them.
Anna Kamińska
Don’t Ask. Stories from the Bieszczady Mountains
September 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. (meeting rescheduled from the spring session)
What lies hidden in the silence of the Bieszczady forests? A discussion with Anna Kamińska about her latest book, *Nie dopytuj się*, will be a journey deep into the Bieszczady Mountains—exploring their history, the memories of their residents, and their extraordinary natural world. Together with the author, we’ll follow in the footsteps of former residents and explore histories marked by violence, while also discovering the world of the Bieszczady’s flora and fauna. Special attention will be given to the stories of Maria Kownacka, Zofia Komedowa, and Joanna Hasior—women who left Warsaw to find their own path and a new beginning in the Bieszczady Mountains.
Hosted by: Natalia Koralewska
Anna Kamińska—a graduate of Polish Studies at the University of Warsaw and a reporter whose work has appeared in *Gazeta Wyborcza*, among other publications. She is the author of the books *Odnalezieni*, *Simona*, *Wanda*, *Halina*, and *Kotański*, which have been translated into several languages. Recipient of, among others, the Wiesław Kazanecki Award and the Zakopane Literary Award. She is also the author of *Marek Jackowski. Głośniej!* and co-author of the “Mosty” series.
Katarzyna Surmiak-Domańska
The World Before Us Did Not Exist: How the War Remained in Our Homes
October 29, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
How does the memory of war pass down through successive generations? War remains present not only in family histories, but also in people’s reflections, fears, and the way they build relationships. The author weaves together the stories of her subjects with the perspectives of psychologists and historians, as well as her own family history. She examines the inheritance of trauma and how experiences of occupation, displacement, concentration camps, Siberian exile, and the Warsaw Uprising continue to shape us to this day. The event will be a conversation about how the experiences of World War II shape the lives of the children and grandchildren of those who survived it.
Hosted by: Michał Ślubowski
Katarzyna Surmiak-Domańska—a reporter with a degree in Romance languages, who has been with the feature reporting section of *Gazeta Wyborcza* for many years. She is a tutor and lecturer at the Polish School of Reportage, a juror for the R. Kapuściński Award, and a member of the Polish PEN Club. Her works include *Mokradełka*, *Ku Klux Klan. Tu mieszka miłość*, *Kieślowski. *Close-up* and *Purges*, a finalist for the Angelus Prize. Her books have been translated into Czech, Slovak, and German.
Błażej Ciarkowski:
Place to Heal Bodies and Souls. Vacation Homes and Sanatoriums in the People’s Republic of Poland
November 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
What were vacations like in the People’s Republic of Poland? How did people spend their time off? What were workers’ vacations, health resorts, summer camps, and trips to the seaside like? This event will explore the system of organized recreation designed to provide the “working masses” with access to vacations. Błażej Ciarkowski examines both the behind-the-scenes development of this system and the everyday lives of vacationers: cafeterias, excursions, entertainment organized by camp counselors, and children’s summer camps. Letters and complaints reveal a reality marked by shortages, tensions, and disappointments, which over time began to blend with memories of community, fun, and carefree vacations.
This is a story about a vacation that was supposed to be organized by the authorities, but for many people became an important part of their personal memories. It’s about what really lay behind the postcard-perfect images and the nostalgia for summers spent in the People’s Republic of Poland.
Host: Michał Tokarczyk
Błażej Ciarkowski—architect and art historian, assistant professor in the Department of Art History at the University of Łódź. Author of books and articles on architecture and politics in the People’s Republic of Poland, including *Bolesław Kardaszewski*. Architecture and Politics, Shades of Gray, and City Planners. Recipient of the Łódź Province Marshal’s Award and a three-time recipient of a fellowship from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage. Member of, among others, Docomomo International, PKN ICOMOS, and the Association of Polish Architects.
Alicja Kobza, Graphic
Designers: Untold Stories of Polish Graphic Designers, 1945–1989
December 17, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
Why have the names of the women who shaped Polish commercial design during the Polish People’s Republic disappeared from history? We’ll talk about the female designers who created posters, book and album covers, logos, packaging, and advertising materials—yet whose work remained on the margins for years. For years, Alicja Kobza has been collecting archival materials and interviewing the women themselves, their families, and their colleagues, reconstructing the stories of 27 female artists. She examines their work, their style, and the challenges they faced in the People’s Republic of Poland, and asks why history
Hosted by: Aneta Lehmann
Alicja Kobza—a graphic designer who creates visual identities, books, albums, posters, and digital materials. She has collaborated with, among others, Zachęta, the Royal Łazienki, and the Lucerne Art Museum. Since 2020, she has been leading a research project dedicated to forgotten female graphic designers from the era of the Polish People’s Republic. She is the recipient of the Special Award in the STGU Design of the Year Competition and a scholarship recipient from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
Admission is free. Due to the intimate setting and limited seating, please arrive starting at 6:30 p.m.
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.
Organizer: Palma Foundation
Media partners: Pismo Magazine, Trojmiasto.pl
