The exhibition 'Były trzy siostry, ale tylko dwie koszule' presents a photographic project by Justyna Mielnikiewicz focusing on the Polish community in Romanian Bukovina. It explores their cultural identity, traditions, and the unique dialect they speak, using personal stories and visual documentation of daily life and festivities.
The exhibition 'Były trzy siostry, ale tylko dwie koszule' by Justyna Mielnikiewicz delves into the lives of the Polish community residing in Romanian Bukovina, a historically multicultural region. Mielnikiewicz's photographs document their daily routines, community events like odpust (church fairs) and harvest festivals (dożynki), and their efforts to preserve their heritage, including a unique Polish dialect known as 'gwara'. The exhibition highlights the community's sense of identity, often navigating between Polish and Romanian affiliations, and their emotional connection to Poland, exemplified by the tradition of sewing 'krakowskie' shirts, which, despite regional variations, symbolizes their Polish roots.
Mielnikiewicz, an acclaimed Polish photographer known for her work across former Soviet republics, captured these images during a project in the region. The title itself, referencing the 'three sisters but only two shirts,' alludes to the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage, particularly through traditional attire passed down through generations, symbolizing a deep emotional bond with Polishness. The exhibition showcases the contemporary reality of this community, whose numbers have significantly decreased since the mid-20th century due to border changes and repatriations, yet they continue to maintain a distinct cultural presence.
