Weekend finally is here | 6 December 2019

6-8.12. Weekend is finally here! Our tips

WATCH DOCS Festival, Radek Szlaga at Zachęta, Poster Fairs and Christmas Market at the National Museum of Ethnography.

Agnieszka Kowalska

text

Friday, 6.12

4:30 PM

CSW Zamek Ujazdowski

Muranów Cinema

Andersa St 5

Kinoteka

Palace of Culture and Science

free entrance

2019 WATCH DOCS. Human Rights in International Film Festival

Under our patronage. The festival will host the world premiere of Wojtek Jankowski’s documentary “The Flashpoint”, a story about a rainbow, an artistic installation by Julita Wójcik on Zbawiciela Square in Warsaw. This year’s edition will be dedicated to the situation of LGBT+ communities around the world. The special “Who’s Afraid of the Rainbow” presents documentaries on the subject that are touching, sometimes terrifying, and sometimes funny. The festival will last till December 12th. More details here…

12 AM-8 PM

The Adam Mickiewicz

Museum of Literature

Old Market Square 20

free entrance

“August Zamoyski. Thoughts carved in stone” at the Adam Mickiewicz Museum of Literature

August Zamoyski was a Polish sculptor, an author of stone compositions in simplified and geometrised form. A friend of Witkacy, aristocrat and scandalist. His first works were influenced by French Cubism and Italian futurism. Later he developed his own, monumental style related to Classicism. At the end of his life, Zamoyski created expressive religious works. The large-scale exhibition presents over a hundred sculptures and an archive (movies made by the artist with the use of Pathé-Baby amateur camera in 1926-29 with Witkacy and representatives of the Paris Boheme).

7 PM

Zachęta

Małachowskiego Square 3

free entrance

Opening of Radek Szlaga’s exhibition at Zachęta

“Places I had no intention of seeing”, an exhibition of one of the most talented contemporary artists.

7 PM

Proxima

tickets: 50 PLN

Dezerter at Proxima

A concert of a legend of Polish punk rock.

8 PM

SPATiF

Ujazdowskie Ave 45

tickets: 70/90 PLN

Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet at SPATiF

A premiere of a new album of the band.

8 PM

Pogłos

Burakowska St 12

tickets: 59 PLN

Kap Bambino at Pogłos

A French electro tornado. Party after the concert (15/20 PLN).

10 PM

999

Dąbrowskiego St 8

tickets: 30 PLN

Japanese Rave at 999 on the occasion of the Radio Asia Festival

Apart from WaqWaq concert (photo above), a night with the most famous Japanese hits.

10:30 PM

Kulturalna

Palace of Culture and Science

Defilad Sq 1

free entrance

Opening night of WATCH DOCS Festival at Kulturalna

Silent Disco.

Saturday, 7.12

10 AM-3 PM

Wola Museum

Srebrna St 12

Opening of Wola Museum

An opening of the Wola Museum after renovation. Neighbourhood meeting on Sunday. All guests are cordially invited.

11 AM-7 PM

Mysia St 3

free entrance

Holiday Fairs at Mysia 3

Among artists: Kwiaty&Miut, Mau ceramics, Spiek Ceramiczny, Malwina Konopacka, Mosko Ceramics, Charlotte, Wege Siostry, NAP, MOD.

11 AM-7 PM

Mińska St 65

free entrance

Slow Weekend at Mińska 65

Over 350 brands from all over Poland (fashion, design, cosmetics, kids accessories). Also on Sunday.

3:30 PM

Royal Route

2019 Warsaw Illumination

Official illumination of the holiday light decorations prepared by the city council.

6 PM

Center for Contemporary Art Ujazdowski Castle

free entrance

An opening of an exhibition by the Japanese hyslom collective at the Center for Contemporary Art Ujazdowski Castle

The hyslom collective plays with risk and bases its anarchic actions on working closely with people and nature. This exhibition is a result of the residency of the collective at the Center for Contemporary Art Ujazdowski Castle. Check how it turned out.

6 PM

Zodiak

Wiecha Passage 4

free entrance

Opening of “Iconic Ruins?” exhibition on the occasion of the first anniversary of Zodiak

A vernissage of “Iconic Ruins? Post-war Socialist Architecture in the Visegrad Countries” is only one of the attractions of the evening. Be there since 4 PM.

6 PM and 8:30 PM

Grójecka St 65

tickets: 90 PLN-200 PLN

Nosowska at Och-Teatr

A concert from Nosowska’s “Basta” album. This time in a more intimate setting.

8 PM

TR Warszawa

Marszałkowska St 8

tickets: 50 PLN

Unsounded Sound Project at TR Warszawa on the occasion of Radio Asia Festival

Shamanic, experimental contemplation music from Korea. Traditional music is only a starting point for experiments.

10 PM

barStudio

Palace of Culture and Science

Defilad Square 1

free entrance

25th anniversary of Gutek Film. Party at barStudio.

Music by Roman Gutek, a chef of the Muranów cinema and the Nowe Horyzonty Festival.

Sunday, 8.12

10 AM-5 PM

National Museum of Ethnography

Kredytowa St 1

tickets: 6 PLN

Christmas Fairs at the National Museum of Ethnography

The best Christmas folk decorations and ornaments.

11 AM-7 PM

Jabłkowscy Department Store

Bracka St 25

tickets: 5 PLN

Poster Fairs at the Jabłkowscy Department Store

Four floors filled with art.

11 AM-7 PM

Mińska St 65

Slow Weekend at Mińska 65

Over 350 brands from all over Poland (fashion, design, cosmetics, kids accessories).

7 PM

Niebo

Nowy Świat St 21

tickets: 89 PLN

Mahalia at Niebo

A concert of one of the most talented artists of the young generation.

8 PM

TR Warszawa

Marszałkowska St 8

tickets: 50 PLN

Go Go Machine Orchestra at TR Warszawa on the occasion of the Radio Asia Festival

Minimalistic, experimental music from Taiwan. Ideal music for a closing day of the Radio Asia music festival.

8 PM

Palladium

Złota St 9

tickets: 55-75 PLN

Sorry Boys at Palladium

A concert of a pop group as part of the 2019 Miłość tour.

8:30 PM

Pardon, To Tu

Armii Ludowej Ave 14

tickets: 39/49 PLN

Lotto and 1988 (Syny) at Pardon, To Tu

1988, a hip-hop producer for the first time on stage.

Agnieszka Kowalska

Add comment

Weekend finally is here | 29 November 2019

29.11-1.12. Weekend is finally here! Our tips

Lovely Things Fair, a new exhibition at the Museum on the Vistula, the 16th Anniversary of Kulturalna.

Agnieszka Kowalska

text

Friday, 29.11

12 PM-8 PM

Museum on the Vistula

Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie St 22

tickets: 5 PLN

Miriam Cahn “I As Human” – a new exhibition at the Museum on the Vistula

Opening of the first Polish monographic exhibition of the Swiss artist Miriam Cahn, one of the most important and acknowledged painters of the second half of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century.

6 PM

Jana Pawła II Ave 49

Opening of the Polana Institute exhibition

Polana Institute plays with the interior design convention at the modern art exhibitions. Among artists: Tymek Borowski, Magdalena Karpińska, Olga Micińska, Dominika Olszowy, and Stach Szumski. Exhibition open till December 17, Mon-Sat from 12 AM to 6 PM.

6 PM

Leto Gallery

Dzielna St 5

Opening of Alex Urban’s exhibition at Leto

Instead of painting, which is mainly associated with the artist, etchings and bronze sculpture will be presented.

6 PM

Stefan Szydłowski Gallery

Wspólna St 53/2

Kamil Kuskowski at the Stefan Szydłowski Gallery

Opening of the “Between” exhibition. The artist refers to the typographic project of Władysław Strzemiński.

7 PM

BWA Warszawa

Marszałkowska St 34/50

Márton Nemes & Małgorzata Szymankiewicz at BWA Warszawa

Opening of the “Falling out of Rhythm” exhibition of the artists who met on the Internet. After the exhibition, you can also visit the Monopol Gallery.

7 PM

Monopol Gallery

Marszałkowska St 34/50

Basia Bańda at the Monopol Gallery

The exhibition “Sea and Mountains” is a presentation of the latest works by Basia Bańda. After the exhibition, you can also visit the BWA Warszawa.

7:30 PM

Fort Institute of Photography

Racławicka St 99

Opening of Justyna Mielnikiewicz ‘s “In Ukraine” exhibition at the Fort Institute of Photography

Justyna Mielnikiewicz has been documenting with great insight everyday life in the countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since 2014, he has been photographing Ukraine.

7 PM

lokal_30 Gallery

Wilcza St 29A/12

Opening of the exhibition “I Record Common Events” by Natalia LL

This exhibition is organised in cooperation with the Context Festival in Sokołowsko. Apart from Natalia LL’s better known works the artist will present photographs never displayed in Poland that she sent to the Paramedia gallery in Berlin in 1974 for an exhibition. The exhibition will also show photographs and films that present the artist’s everyday life and work in her apartment in Wrocław that often also served as her studio.

9 PM

Wozownia

Trzech Krzyży Square 16

free entrance

Wozowinia for winter! Opening of the pavilion designed by Beza Projekt

This will be a much better space for winter than last year. This time expect warm textiles and comfortable furniture.

10:30 PM

Kulturalna

Palace of Culture and Science

Defilad Square 1

free entrance

16th Anniversary of Kultu!

The 16th Anniversary of Kulturalna! Dances and celebrations.

Saturday, 30.11

9 AM-3 PM

Elektrownia Powiśle

Zajęcza St 2B

Plonoteka at Elektrownia Powiśle

Organic pop-up market with products sold directly from farmers and manufacturers, no plastic. Cash payment only.

11 AM-7 PM

Praga Koneser Center

Lovely Things Fair. Winter! at Koneser

Our favourite Christmas market Targi Rzeczy Ładnych. Over 250 sellers. Also on Sunday.

11 AM-7 PM

Mysia St 3

free entrance

Body Festival

Beautiful jewellery, cosmetics, clothes, and ceramics. Event organised by Usta magazine.

6 PM

Torwar

Łazienkowska St 6a

tickets: 149 PLN

Parov Stelar at Torwar

Marcus Füreder better known by his stage name, Parov Stelar, is an Austrian musician, composer, producer and DJ.

7 PM

Palladium

Złota St 9

tickets: from 100 PLN

Skalpel Big Band at Palladium

Marcin Cichy and Igor Pudło, the representatives of Ninja Tune, an English independent record label.

10:30 PM

barStudio

Palace of Culture and Science

Defilad Square 1

free entrance

Tina Turner turns 80! – party at barStudio

Cheers to diva!

Sunday, 1.12

11 AM-7 PM

Praga Koneser Center

Lovely Things Fair. Winter! at Koneser

Our favourite Christmas market Targi Rzeczy Ładnych. Over 250 sellers.

from 10 AM

Luna

Marszałkowska St 28

Elektronik

Gen. Zajączka St 7

Iluzjon

Narbutta St 50a

tickets: 20 PLN

The last day of the Russian Film Festival Sputnik

Detailed programme here…

Agnieszka Kowalska

Add comment

Ratings | Design | 7 November 2019

TOP 10: Markets

Food and flea markets - traditional, local and modern.

Add comment

Ratings | Eat & drink | 15 September 2019

TOP 10: Hot summer venues

These are the places we visited this summer. We will miss sitting outside!

Add comment

Eat & drink |

Małgosia Minta tastes Warsaw

She is travelling abroad and visiting Polish countryside more often these days. Is Warsaw still tasty for her?

You are constantly on the run. Is Warsaw still attractive to you?

Of course, I am a Warsaw patriot. If it wasn’t so much happening here like nowadays, I wouldn’t probably be doing what I am doing. I have just spoken to a friend from Tel-Aviv who comes to Warsaw a few times a year just to eat. So there must be something about it. There is a stimulating competition in Warsaw gastronomy. The Varsovians are demanding because they travel a lot, follow trends. They want everything to be nice and tasty.

So probably you are often asked to give tours for people from your profession. What do you show in Warsaw other culinary journalists?

I often do it for the city. For sure I want to show the base – products, ingredients. That is why Hala Mirowska. The most democratic market in the world because you have elderly ladies here, eco mothers, the representatives of ethnic minorities, expats. If the weather permits we visit the Majlerts as it is also an interesting place.

Do you also like to start your tour from the market?

Yes, I do. However, in Copenhagen for example, there are no markets.

How come? How do they live then?

They have everything in shops. But unfortunately, there is no direct contact with the producer.

I always try to show Warsaw phenomena that have happened throughout recent years. For example coffee culture.

Breakfasts?

In comparison to other countries of southern Europe, we have a very rich culture of eating breakfasts. I recommend my guests dairy products as this is something they are not familiar with. We go to SAM because they offer cottage cheese, Vienna style eggs, toasts from challah which is made on the spot, shakshuka.

I always try to show Warsaw phenomena that have happened throughout recent years. For example coffee culture. We go to Stor or Forum. I try to show bakeries so we go to Stalowa do Rano or we just simply have a quick chat with Cała w Mące at Forteca.

As for cuisine, Polish, modern, based on ingredients from local producers. That is why we often end up at AleWino. Or we go to Superlardo because I want to show them what Paweł Fabiś has to offer. For example, they grind flour from ecowheat and bake delicious bread out of it, prepare cold cuts. Kieliszki na Hożej, Warszawa Hotel…

Exquisite building.

Remarkable just like Darek Barański. He is one of the most diligent and talented chefs I have met in my life. Modest. For example, he recommends other places to food critics. It is quite an unusual. We go to Bibenda, MOD. I have recently taken a Swedish journalist there and she couldn’t believe her own eyes: a Singaporean chef, doughnuts in the morning, neo-bistro in the evening, 18-year-olds who drink natural wines from Austria on a date. Additionally perfect coffee. She said it was even more hipster than any other trendy venue in Stockholm.

I also introduce my guests to other people. This is what I like most, too. However, in my company, they will have to drink Polish wines, beers, and ciders.

Do they complain much?

No, they don’t. Five years ago there was only one Polish wine, but it has recently changed. They are still relatively expensive but the quality is getting better and better: Wieliczka Vineyard, Dom Bliskowice, Winnica Wzgórz Trzebnickich, Moderna.

I try not to hide anything but concentrate on what is good. If my guests want to go to a milk bar we don’t go to Prasowy but we head to Sady where you can feel this milky aroma in the air. I took there Marina O’Loughlin, a British journalist who is my food critics guru. She is very ironic in her articles which she publishes in her column at “Sunday Times”. If she ever criticised my restaurant, before I’d close it, I’d die laughing.

And she comes to Warsaw.

At first, I was nervous but it turned out perfect. She was very brave, we ate and walked a lot. At the end of her stay, we visited AleWino where she had a homemade dinner and leniwe with roasted plums and caramel for a desert. “BBC Good Food”, one of the biggest culinary magazines in Britain, has published an extensive article. Flattering.

What did she like most?

Warsaw in general. She didn’t beat about the bush. In her eyes, Warsaw is quite an architectonically chaotic city. She wrote that you have to have an insider for a guide to show you around because otherwise, you will end up at the Old Town. But I think it’s the case with every city.

Do you follow the beaten path and visit only friends?

Luckily I am not a food critic so I don’t have to visit places which I wouldn’t like to visit.

Where do you eat, work, spend time?

At Relaks, because I live nearby. Right now Dobroczynna is even closer. This cafe donates its revenue to the Charytatywni foundation which supports kids eduction. Stor in Tamka Street because of their coffee and cheesecakes prepared by Fatima El Dessouki who is a real master. And I like cakes. I drop by to Miss Mellow for a New York cheesecake. I like Forum because they offer fantastic coffee and unique breakfasts. They play good music which is rare in Warsaw. You can work here and the market at Hala Mirowska is just around the corner.

Bibenda, AleWino, because they have never considerably failed me. For a business meeting, I would choose Kieliszki na Hożej. Delicious, innovative food and a pleasant atmosphere. Cosmo for an evening drink. Yesterday I drank there an excellent cocktail with apricot. I just wanted to take a bath in it.

Piekarnia Rano – it just proves I am not entirely sane. I live in Upper Mokotów, I don’t have a car and I am still a regular customer there. They will soon open in Stalowa Street a cafe with breakfasts. I can’t wait.

What is it that you lack in Warsaw?

Wine bars. Non-pretentious, simple, with fine, natural wines from Moravia, Austria. The ones which are close to us when it comes to flavour and geographical region. I am pushing wine importers and restaurateurs. Maybe they will take it under consideration one day. Monsieur Leon was for me a substitute for this kind of place. In this micro venue, I probably spent the majority of my summer evenings.

Agnieszka Kowalska

Add comment

Culture | 13 September 2019

Vistula boulevards full of culture

The place where Warsaw life starts to flourish during the summer.

Here we rest, eat, dance, bike, boat on the river, listen to concerts and visit a museum. We have everything here.

Today we would like to invite you to take a walk with us on the left bank of the river. We will show you our favourite places. Of course, you can already go through boulevards straight from Żoliborz to the Łazienkowski Bridge but we will start our stroll from the Museum on the Vistula River. This part of boulevards is a perfect idea for a walk if you want to show Warsaw in a nutshell to visitors. We get here by the second metro line. Our final stop is the Copernicus Metro Station.

Let’s begin with the MUSEUM ON THE VISTULA RIVER, a temporary headquarters of the Museum of Modern Art (Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie St 22). We can see here excellent exhibitions (admission fee only 1 PLN), buy an album at Bookoff bookstore and eat delicious meal at Paloma bistro. Don’t forget to look up and admire Alicja Bilelawska’s installation.

Next to the Museum, there is a modern barge called PRZYSTAŃ NOWA FALA. Ask there for available cruises. There are also motorboats from Miami Wars at your disposal.

Instalacja Alicji Bielawskiej w Palomie w Muzeum nad Wisłą

Between the Museum and the COPERNICUS SCIENCE CENTRE there is our favourite part of boulevards. First the perennial garden by the Museum, then a concrete part with high stairs – ideal for sportsmen (you can ride here a skateboard or BMX or just sit and admire the view). Finally, near the Copernicus Centre there are stairs with wooden seats and sawgrass – a perfect spot for a date.

We also recommend going up the roof of the UNIVERSITY LIBRARY and Copernicus Science Centre. Both institutions have arranged beautiful gardens which you can visit free of charge. Every garden is in a different style, offering spectacular views on the centre, Old Town, Powiśle, and the river.

Czasowa instalacja w Parku Odkrywców przy CN Kopernik

We are heading further towards the Świętokrzyski Bridge. Right after it, there is BARKA (a summer branch of Plan b), and above it PLAC ZABAW. There is everything here – a beautiful green garden, a few bars, Korean food, SLOW MARKET with even more delicious food (every weekend, from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening), concerts and night parties at Barka.

Next, there is DWA OSIEM which serves delicious pizza and invites you to use its pump track. Kids can have fun and later on enjoy some Kulkove icecream. On the way to the Poniatowski bridge you will also find music clubs Wisława and WIR.

Bulwary w sąsiedztwie Syrenki Warszawskiej

Strefa sportowa pod mostem Świętokrzyskim

Pumptruck przy pizzerii Dwa Osiem nad Wisłą

Our next step is two bridges away, after the Poniatowski Bridge. Here on a small hill next to a skyscraper designed by Stefan Kuryłowicz girls from BABIE LATO set up a mini beach. It is definitely one of the coziest places by the river.

And finally, GRUNT I WODA. This club tries hard and the Varsovians appreciate all the efforts. That is why it is always packed with people. The owners do their best to create aesthetic architecture and every year they make it even better. This year there is a social garden and a playground. Parents with kids – this is a perfect venue for you.

You don’t need to venture any further than FALA club (Płyta Desantu) with great concerts. On a hill, there is PRZYLĄDEK MIAMI WARS where we recommend a cruise by a motorboat and you can get right back to where we started. Wonderful!

Agnieszka Kowalska

Add comment

Nature |

The right bank of the Vistula

No other metropolis in Europe has such wild bank of a river as we have in Warsaw.

The right bank of the Vistula is our pride. We bring here those who visit our city and we also take advantage of it every day. You only need to cross a bridge or take a ferry cruise to relax in the very centre of the city.

The most pleasant is a recreational route along the bank of the river. Among the trees, with a view on the city or the Old Town. You can walk, run, bike and during winter try cross-country skiing. A city bike station is located also on the Poniatówka beach. You can cycle through a unique footbridge suspended under the Łazienkowski Bridge or use the Żerańska pedestrian and bike bridge.

Beaches are exceptional! You can suntan and make a picnic on the beaches next to the Poniatowski Bridge, or near Saska Kępa and ZOO. Unfortunately, we don’t recommend swimming in the Vistula. There are also some more secluded and less sandy beaches where in some designated areas you can set a bonfire.

Kids can have fun in some natural areas, for example, river-themed playground by the Poniatowski Bridge. Let’s listen to birds, admire sunsets and starred sky. And remember- keep the place tidy and clean.

Ścieżka rekreacyjna na prawym brzegu Wisły

Plaża z widokiem na Starówkę? Wybierzcie Plażę Praską

Widok na prawy brzeg Wisły, w tle Stadion Narodowy

Na praski brzeg Wisły można bezpiecznie przejechać kładką pod mostem Łazienkowskim

Agnieszka Kowalska

Add comment

Culture | 12 September 2019

Praska with style

It is not only about the interior and garden at the Różyckiego marketplace but people.

What is so special about this place? People, interior design, meatless menu, vinyl records and an outside garden at the Różyckiego marketplace.

The Brzeskis simply had to end up in Brzeska Street. Katarzyna and Jacek managed to create one of the most climatic places in Warsaw – Praska.

One day life in Kabaty became mundane, they did not feel any neighbourly bonds and missed social life. Katarzyna runs a family construction company in Praga so she is familiar with this area. They decided on a new apartment here. They were also looking for a place in Brzeska Street but since they are both dog lovers they needed more greenery. The choice fell on Praga I – a real estate designed by husband-and-wife team Helena and Szymon Syrkus. It did not disappoint them as it proved to be indeed well planned. The next step was to find a local bar. And this is how they met Michał “Misiek” Wieczorek who ran his homey bar in Wileńska Street 3. Unfortunately, as it often happens in Praga the building was in a poor state so he was forced to close his business.

They laugh that there was no other option than to open a new place with Misiek. They found a perfect spot. Frankly speaking, only now we can see how fabulous it is. The historic buildings in Brzeska Street or at the Rożyckiego marketplace fell into dereliction. Renovation required much effort. The interior was made with the help of their neighbour Monika Rakowska who is a set designer and artist. Wintertime was difficult but with the arrival of spring Praska started to flourish.

Tourists, locals, and visitors of the Open Ząbkowska festival started visiting this place (the restaurant is adjacent to Pyzy Flaki Gorące and Pallone Icecream shop). Praska is valued among vegetarians because every day you can eat different, simple, Polish dishes (there are even meatless duck and pork chops).

The outside garden on the premises of the Różyckiego marketplace turned out to be a total blast. It is arranged and cultivated by Monika. The interior design will take your breath away. We like Friday parties during which you can play music from your vinyl records brought from home. No Youtube party but instead music from vinyls. Additionally, if you bring your own vinyl record you will get beer for free. It is hard to describe the atmosphere of this place, you have to feel it.

Praska, Brzeska St 23

Agnieszka Kowalska

Add comment