A walk through Lublin

Fancy toilet in Lublin

What happens if you get off the bus after a four-hour ride from Kraków to Lublin? You go to a fancy toilet of a rather shabby bus station. Catholic Poland is full of surprises! ;)

Russia on the map of the world

A hostel in Lublin, Poland. Look at the map. Anything special about Russia??^^

Political change in Poland?

Today Aleksandra Kołeczek is a guest at the sofa and talks about Poland's current political situation. She is a co-spokesperson of the Green Youth in Poland. Aleksandra works and lives in the capital Warsaw. 

Cover of Steffen Möller's book, own editing

SonjasSofa: Dzień dobry. Why did so many people vote for PiS? 
 

Aleksandra Kołeczek: The conservatives from PiS (Law and Justice) won because of the resentment and lack of mobilisation of the society. Many years of domination of the center, neo-liberal party PO (Civic Platform), had made a lot of people disappointed. Their lives were very much different from the vision the ruling government promoted – economic growth did not cause a greater social justice. Nonetheless, it seemed that politicians that were supposed to represent the nation did not seem concerned enough with this. The credibility of the political class was constantly disqualified because

One weekend in June - Inside Ukraine (Lviv)

Bulgarian spring tradition

How to get a feeling for "Europe"? There is no better way than showing interest in traditions of other  countries. So for me Poland is a good place to learn more about Bulgaria! How? 

When a friend saw my Bulgarian flatmate wearing a bracelet made of red and white threads she got very excited. She was the only one in the group who knew about the deeper meaning. One second later, everyone in the room was wearing the same bracelet! 

Bulgarian people have a very special way to welcome spring. In Bulgaria, the martentitsi are exchanged all around between family members, friends and colleagues. The red and white strings are given and donned as a way to greet the coming season and guarantee a healthy and fruitful year.

For a couple of days I didn't notice that nature was starting to be awake again, but suddenly I stopped at a very beautiful bush and decided to leave my bracelet there.

Zapiekanka - the Polish doner

Picture: ES

When students in Krakòw talk about Zapiekanka, you can see them smiling all the time. Visitors, who came to Poland the first time, usually look puzzled. They often ask the question "What is Zapi...kapi...Zapekake?" 

The reaction of students is that they sigh and try to explain this miracle. Well, to put it briefly, it's just an open-face sandwich. But in fact, it's much more. It's lifestyle! This bread is very popular street food in the bigger cities of Poland, especially during nights. Zapiekanka comes from zapiekac, which means "to bake", because it's baked in an oven and eaten hot. It's basically a long baguette bread roll cut in half, covered with a variety of toppings. The traditional zapiekanka consists of mushrooms, cheese and ketchup and newer versions include ham, salami, vegetables, fried onion or chive on the top or spinach instead of mushrooms. Keep in mind - it's heavy food! You should be hungry when ordering this tasty dish. But you won't regret it.

Secret Paradise - Tatra mountains in Poland!

Yes, Kanada is impressive. But why has nobody told me about great Polish nature before?

European identity?

Erasmus is...? My Polish teacher for "Poland and EU" at Jagiellonian University in Kraków told us that Erasmus it's a big experiment.

Yes, I agree, but in the end, it works: Many young people in Europe realised during the semester abroad that it's not all about nationality. It's not so important from which country you are from, but it's important which music and films you like or which values, thoughts, ideas & experiences you share.

Katowice - anything but boring

A very modern train station

There's nothing to see in Katowice? Well, I could discover a lot! For sure, this city in south-western Poland can't be compared to Kraków. But you can't compare Kraków to other cities, because it's simply the best city. However, it's worth to discover nearby Katowice. It's definately not that ugly as everybody believes. The city had its heyday in the 1950s when its numerous coalmines and steelworks flourished. Until today it is known as an industrial centre of Poland, but heavy industry has significantly decreased and Katowice is moving towards small businesses and trade.

Andrzej Duda - new president of Poland

Warsaw, Castle Square-10 April commemoration of Polish Air Force crash

Should we be surprised about the new Polish president Andrzej Duda? Well, I'm not. In Warsaw's old town I saw him passing by at rynek, by foot and only surrounded by a few assistants and guards. People were calling him "Andrzej, Andrzej!" and cheerfully waving to him, in the other hand the Polish flag which they brought for the commemoration of the Polish Air Force crash.

This was the moment when I started to take Duda serious, because I experienced that he can reach people. He appeared to be comprehensible to the man in the street, an attribute which is rare among politicians since they usually evoke negative emotions. Moreover, in Kraków Duda-campaigners seemed to be more enthusiastic and active. For instance in Nowa Huta, the huge Socialist Realist suburb district of Kraków, I was offered Duda-broshures, but none about incumbent Komorowski. Some talks with dissatisfied Polish students reinforced my first impression that Duda is able to win the election. My professor refused to call him "right-wing", even though most of the media does so.

As in many other European countries Poles are tired of politics in general and slow social climbing or even social decline in particular. Therefore they tend to vote for populists like Duda. He provides simple solutions und gives hope to the people. Let's see, if he can really improve people's life. The president has limited powers, but is head of the armed forces and has the power to propose or veto legislation.

Picture: SF

Ukraine is close

What could be better than changing some perspectives?! Learning more about other countries. Seeing the world at first hand. Meeting real people.

From Germany Ukraine seems to be far away and you mostly hear about it on TV, read about it on the internet or in the newspaper. But in Poland and the baltic states the country is coming closer! From Kraków to the border it's only a trip around 3 hours by car. Thus cities like Lviv are a popular travel destination among international students.

You can't resist a delicious Polish vegan burger

Vegan burger bistro "Nova Krova" Kraków

Before coming to Poland, everybody at home was wondering how I will survive the Polish food. I'm not a hundred percent vegetarian, but I try to avoid meat as much as possible. In fact, it's not that difficult! Yes, traditional food and cooking in Poland means eating meat, especially pork meat. But in Kraków one can find many vegetarian bars, bistros and restaurants or a variety of vegetarian dishes. Potato pancakes, buckwheat, sautéed wild mushrooms, pierogi stuffed with cabbage, spinat, cheese or potato to name just a few. The prized vegetable among Poles is beetroot (beet), so you cannot only find it in the famous Red Borscht Soup, but also on burgers. For sure Kraków is not a good example for an average Polish city. But also in other cities like Warsaw, Wrocław, Poznań, Zakopane or Łódź one can experience something similiar. Like in Germany particularly young people living in cities want to eat vegetarian or vegan food, if for reasons of health and figure or environment is not always clear. 

To put it briefly, all in all Poland is not immune to the international "movement" of vegetarism. Moreover, the Polish thereby are very creative and innovative.

Who can resist this nice looking vegan seitan burger?

Photos: SF

Flags and church - the Polish Constitution Day

Today, on Mai 3, the Polish are celebrating Święto Konstytucji 3 Maja, the declaration of the Constitution of May 3 in 1791. It's a Polish national and public holiday, where even trams are decorated with Polish flags.

Huge Polish flag on the main street in Zakopane: in memory of Poland's important achievement in 1791

The Constitution was a very progressive document for its time and for generations it helped keeping alive Polish aspirations for an independent and just society

As always in Poland: The church functions as a center of celebrations

Jagiellonian - oldest university in Poland

Collegium Novum, administration and offices

What could be better than studying in beautiful Kraków at the old and renown Jagiellonian University? It's the oldest university in Poland and the second oldest in Central Europe after Charles University in Prague.

See the pictures and think back to the good old days... imagine how it felt like to study here. Nowadays -of course- students mostly have their lectures in really modern buildings.

Łódź - in the center of Poland

What is Łódź? It's the third-largest city in Poland! Where is Łódź? It's located in the central part of the country! How do you pronounce it? It's something like "Woodsch". And what on earth should you do there? Discover Poland's past of textile industry and find nice hidden cafés or bars. It's completely different than the beautiful cities Kraków or Poznan. Go there without any expections, just give it a try.

Warsaw Praga - the other side of the river

Have you ever joined a free walking tour to discover a new city? Just do so, it's more alternative than commercial ones. And have you ever joined an even more alternative tour? In Warsaw it's possible. The guide takes you to the "most dangerous" part of the city, to Praga, a district on the other side of the river. Praga is one of Warsaw's precious historic districts. After world war II this part was ignored by politicians and inhabitants. But now Praga is slowly reintegrated into the city. At least, people living there got a metro station and a shopping mall. Well, it's a start.

It's only a 15-minute walk from the beautiful restored old town, but you feel like far far away. Convince yourself and see some pictures.

A sense of Easter everywhere

"Easter flowers" and unlimited creativity. Cosy toilette of a bar in Kazimierz, Jewish district and hipster area in Kraków.

Too good to be true - beautiful old Kraków

Impressive market square - the heart of Kraków

Wrocław - Breslau: New home for young generations

Wrocław today, 75 years after World War II. New generations, new home, new hope. I talked to a Polish student: Her grandparents couldn't feel at home in the former German city, because after World War II they were forced to live here like so many other people. But this student now belongs to the first generation calling Wrocław a home town. Her clear message: No more war!!! We all should keep it in mind.