Photographed Independence

Although Poland officially regained independence on 11 November, Kraków was liberated almost two weeks earlier. Lieutenant Antoni Stawarz’s soldiers seized the Austrian barracks in Podgórze on 31 October 1918, moving on to the Main Market Square where they took over watch in the former guardroom next to the Town Hall tower without shedding a drop of blood. What was Kraków like at this extraordinary time, when great historical events intertwined with ordinary lives? The outdoor exhibition Photographed Independence presents photos from 1914-1918 from the collection of the Museum of Photography in Kraków. We will see images taken during the First World War, preserving momentous historic events alongside more mundane, coincidental snapshots. The exhibition at the Św. Marii Magdaleny Square forms a part of Kraków’s “Liberated_1918” campaign: until the end of the year, Cracovians and visitors following the most popular tourist route from the Main Market Square to Wawel Hill will be able to ponder the events leading to Poland regaining independence a century ago. (Dorota Dziunikowska, “Karnet” monthly)