Dzielnica (the Quarter) 1941-1943 (2013)

Dzielnica ('the quarter' in English) is a memorial soundwalk through the former Jewish Ghetto in Kraków, developed to commemorate the 70th anniversary of its liquidation.

On the 13th of March 1943, around eight thousands Jews were transported to the Plaszow concentration camp. Two thousands were killed on the streets of the ghetto. Every year, a memorial walk takes place following the last path of those who were sent to the camp. This soundwalk is based on their memories, particularly those rich in sonic associations. The narrative interlinks a number of fragmented accounts, archival material, announcements, reviews and texts from the local Jewish newspaper as well as reconstructed soundscapes articulating the reality of everyday life in the ghetto.

In contrast to many narratives revolving around the tragic side of the Jewsih community hopelessly trapped between the ghetto walls, Dzielnica focuses on their rich cultural life, perseverance and strong will to cultivate traditions, social activities and deep spiritual life despite the situation. Participants of the soundwalk are invited to follow an itinerary that connects five selected places within the borders of the former ghetto. Each station provides listeners with an insight into historical soundscapes of the place and its inhabitants. As the soundwalk progresses, the voices and soundscapes gradually transition into silence, articulating the systemic erasure of the community by the German Nazis. The premiere of the project took place on the 17th of March 2013 in conjunction, or rather parallel with, the traditional annual memorial walk organized by the local authorities. Read more on the project website (currently only in Polish).

The images come from the process of realizing the project and its premiere on March 13, 2013 that marked the 70th anniversary of the liquidation of the Jewish Ghetto in Kraków. The project was developed in collaboration with Katarzyna Zimmerer and Agnieszka Reiner among others. It was supported by and became part of the the Jewish Culture Festival and Galicja Museum in Kraków.