Prepared on the occasion of the centenary of Poland’s regained independence, with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Moscow, this work reflects on a pivotal moment of cultural encounter between Poland and Russia.
The project takes the form of a documentary study of Adam Mickiewicz’s stay in Moscow and the profound impact it had on the poets of the Russian “Golden Age of Literature,” most notably Aleksander Puszkin. By tracing Mickiewicz’s presence in the city, the work reveals how his poetic voice resonated across cultural and political boundaries, leaving behind an imprint that remains legible in literary history.
The video material is anchored in specific urban sites connected to the poet’s life. While employing the conventions of traditional documentary narration, it is filmed in a 360-degree format, allowing the viewer to inhabit the spaces that once shaped Mickiewicz’s experience.
The videos about Mickiewicz were prepared in close collaboration with historian Oleg Vasilik, who in pre-war Moscow (before 2022) helped to develop a free, grassroots culture of guided tours. They extend and complement the broader context of his research project into the history and fate of the Polish community in Moscow.