Kooji does Poland...Again! - Day Five

Fundacja Miedzy Nami and The Emaus Foundation

In the morning Johnny, Rafal and I visited Marzena Bochenek, Vice President for Fundacja Miedzy Nami (The Among Us Foundation), and met the president for FMN and the Emaus Foundation, Zbigniew Drążkowski. Emaus and FMN work very closely together in their efforts to help the homeless and disabled. We were shown around the Emaus Shop, which supplies clothing and trinkets, which are donated to help raise funds.

http://www.fmn.lublin.pl

http://www.emaus.lublin.pl

The Emaus Shop

Marian Pietraś and Zbigniew Drążkowski

Bar Hades Art Exhibition

Today was the day of the art exhibition at Bar Hades in Lublin. Janusz Padzinski, the artist’s mentor from Matki Teresy z Kalcutty, had invited many high profile individuals from the surrounding areas to attend this event and it was a great honour to be a part of it all. Jarek’s giraffes were very popular and being able to see them all together as a series was a real treat.

Jarek's giraffe paintings are so colourful!

Jarek receiving his congratutions

Justyna, Janusz, Katherine and Johnny

Johnny, 'Little Stash', 'Big Stash' and Faith

Johnny, Katherine and 'Little Stash'

Katherine, 'Little Stash' and Johnny

Katherine and 'Little Stash'

Aww! How sweet :D

Interviews at Matki Teresy z Kalcutty

Afterwards we walked back over to Matki Teresy z Kalcutty to interview Janusz and Justyna. Janusz told us about the story behind some of the artwork that had been produced by the disabled artists. The project involved creating a composition based on the story of two kings: one who was ruled by money and financial gain, and the other who followed only his faith. He explained that while the abled artists painted accurate depictions, the disabled artists painted much more abstract, expressionist pieces; these he felt, had greater worth as they proved that disabled artists were just as capable and their work just as valid as their counterparts.

Janusz and Justyna in Matki Teresy z Kalkutty

Lubię śnieg bardzo!

The team were caught in a brief snowstorm on the walk back from the centre. Johnny and I decided to try out some more of the local cuisine, so we went to a nearby restaurant in the Old Town and had pancakes.

Heading off into the snow in search of pancakes

Bowling in Lublin

I had never been bowling before until this trip to Lublin and so the team decided to take me for my first experience in Lublin Shopping Plaza. I got a strike in two on my first attempt! A fluke it seems, as the following attempts were mostly gutter balls.

Johhny didn't get any gutter balls :P

>>> Kooji does Poland...Again! - Day Six