Nowa Huta

My favourite part of Kraków. I’ve worn out countless shoes, wandering its streets in search of my first street photography captures. Here, I took my finest street photos and here, I grew weary of street photography. A dozen years have passed since then, and I'm returning to Nowa Huta with my camera, but without a plan. I’m no longer seeking cliché street scenes, no longer racing to capture copies of famous street shots. I try not to fall into the trap of repetition, though when I see a dachshund running by, the camera finds its way to my eye. Nowa Huta is changing rapidly, gentrifying at a dizzying pace. New clubs, cafes, and restaurants are popping up. Aleja Róż no longer scares with its concrete. There are crowds of people on the streets. Yet, some of the characteristic places of the past have disappeared without a trace. It turns out that some of my photos from years ago now have historical value. Despite all these changes, Nowa Huta retains its specific character. There's still an unusually large number of cars under covers, although they are no longer little Fiats. Laundry is still drying between the old blocks of flats. There are plenty of flowers. The big city rush hasn't reached here yet - you can chat with people in the park and listen to their personal stories. Time flows more slowly here.