photography     exhibition  ORTHODOX  CHURCHES
 OF  THE  LEMKO  REGION  

Currently, there are 69 Lemko churches in Poland. Until the end of the 18th century, the Lemkos built wooden Orthodox churches. Operation Vistula, organized by the communist government imposed on Poland by Soviet Russia, in 1947-50 led to the displacement of Lemkos from Poland. Entire villages that they lived in the Carpathians were deserted. The touchingly beautiful wooden Orthodox churches remained empty - a trace of their connection with God and the Church. When I had the opportunity to travel around these areas with a camera, I often met local residents who tried to draw my attention, especially to these Orthodox churches. They were so important to them... Years later, the trace of this culture leaves an indelible mark on us Poles... This is why this exhibition of photos by Krzysztof Włudarski and some of mine was created.

carried out within the framework of the
scholarship of the Minister of Culture
and National Heritage in Poland