Thursday, 2 October 2014

Warsaw Uprising Museum

I though that visit to the Warsaw Rising Museum deserves a separate entry. The Museum is located in Warsaw, in former trams power station and its one of those interactive places that creates a very emotional experience. It pays a tribute to those who fought for a free Poland in 1944 and later suffered the post-war communist oppressions and terror.

I must say, I struggled in places, the museum is designed almost as if you are transported back in time, thrown into the events of the Rising. The sound of a beating heart, falling bombs, heartbreaking stories of the fighters, shocking photographs, the canals, a last letter to the loved one, piled on top of the already heard stories told by the relatives and a national connection, it all adds up to a quite an emotional cocktail. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic experience, place definitely worth visiting if you are Polish or not, my English partner enjoyed the visit as much as anyone else (place is bilingual).

An additional attraction was an opportunity to watch a 5 minute long, 3D movie - 'City of Ruins', which is a fantastically made digital reconstruction of Warsaw destroyed during the Second World War. It took 2 years and over 30 graphic artist to 'construct' this movie. Here is the slideshow, a few photos from the Museum and some info.














Wednesday, 1 October 2014

Back on the Rock

I have now been back on the Island for a few days, but only today I am finding a little time for a quick update.  I shall crack on with the course again over weekend.

The holiday was fantastic, a well deserved rest amongst my family and filled with lots of excitement. Exactly what I needed! I managed to get to a few galleries, a couple of concerts, a Christening and finally visited the capital city for longer than usually (an hour whilst on my way to/from the Airport). All in just 9 days!

Here are some pics from the trip. I purposely took a single lens with my X-Pro1 in order to finally test  it properly. All I can say, the Fujinon XF23mm f/1.4 lives to its wonderful reviews. It did not disappoint, it is very responsive, fast and captures beautifully, especially at its fastest setting.