Bookish Warsaw

May started the season for book-related events in Warsaw. Or so it seems. A few events that got my attention.

It started with Noc Muzeów or The Long Night of Museums, on the 17/18 May. A translation of Polish and Icelandic poems, the night in the public library, and many other events related to book on this night.

The next event was Warsaw Book Fair, 22-25 May, on the National Stadium in Warsaw. What captured my heart this year was the comic section, as you can read in the linked post. 

June is the time of the Pride Parade in Warsaw (called in Polish Parada Równości which means 'Equality Parade'). Since 30th May Equality Festival has started, a time for many LGBT-related events. It shouldn't be surprising there is also a small fair of LBGT-related books (9-15 June) In one of the caffe&bookstore place called MiTo. Nothing big, but still nice possibility to get some books in Polish and English for lower prices. The Parade itself is on 14th June.

Big Book Festival is a two days (14-15 June) festival in various places of Warsaw, and even beyond - in Podkowa Leśna, where is a museum of this year's big star writer - Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz. Many of its events are held in both Polish and English, which isn't common in Poland.

Have fun, I will on the Big Book festival where I volunteer.

Children's Day in Wola

First June is Children's Day in Poland. Many events are held for children in various points of town. All the more, when 1st June is a free day, like Sunday this year.

This year's theme was "Piknik Królewska Wola" (Picnic: The King's Wola [Will]). As I wrote earlier, Wola in Polish means "will".

Below there is a video from the workshops of traditional (court) Polish dance called polonez.

And some photos of other attractions. There were also: painting faces, painting workshops, theatre, songs, reading, decoupage among other activities.

On second photo there is a merry-go-round (karuzela in Polish). People from Warsaw usually connect it with a song "Karuzela" which lyrics include "Karuzela, karuzela, na Bielanach co niedziela". Meaning: Carousel, carousel, in Bielany every Sunday. Bielany is one of the districts of Warsaw, like Wola. The video to this song is from a film.

There were also snacks, of course. As usual there were stands with: popcorn, cotton candy, candies, wafers, ice cream and pańska skórka (a kind of candy from Warsaw region). If you were hungry, you could get grilled sausage. Unfortunately, nothing unusual. Kinda sad there wasn't even one stand with healthy food for children, tho. Especially that the event was organised by the Wola's Hall.