July 8, 2012

During the day, each volunteer is on a 3-hour call duty. This is when they are to be most available within the Festival Office.There are three golden rules that apply to this responsibility: first of all a clear mind. Secondly, a turned on mobile phone. And, last but not least, 10 precious minutes in which we have to appear in the appointed place and perform the appointed task.

A volunteer is called in the event of emergency situations that occur during the festival. This became very true for me – around 11 a.m. I was called out by Paweł Kowalewski, the supervisor of all volunteers, to perform a task. It was a “bike tour” aimed at collecting programmes for the evening concert of David Krakauer. Taking advantage of an hour-long break, I ate a fast lunch and afterward I attended a workshop of Jewish Art. Its coordinator, Monika Krajewska, explained precisely what the prohibition of depicting people in Judaism looks like through the ages.

Unusual ways of bypassing the fundamental law of the 2nd commandment, which is the substantial base for the ban, are offered in the examples of mosaics in the ancient synagogues of Asia Minor and few preserved wooden synagogues in Europe. The participants could personally carry out some symbolic artistic representations and thus stand at the verge of God’s law.

And speaking of the verge—I think that on Monday I found myself in a “breaking point”. Before the evening concert, I decided to return to my apartment to refresh a bit and once I opened the door I saw sea of water. For a moment I felt like the biblical Noah but without the Arc. It was a flood. Its reason was, however, really trivial and hidden in the thirty-centimetre hose which connects the toilet with the water supply. As it usually happens—strangers were victims in this situation as well. Since water is an element that seeps and travels, in this particular case – two floors down, the help of “flooded” neighbour with a kind heart also happens to be priceless. It was mainly due to him that I managed to regain control over the situation. First, I dried the floor where the belongings of five students were and then, fast like a bolt, I left for the “missing link”,namely the magic hose.

This is how my prospects on 4-hour long rest turned immediately into a tireless struggle with the element which was under control only 30 minutes before the preparations for the Bester Quartet & Tomasz Ziętek concert began. On my way to Kazimierz district I received a call from the Office. The task was to pick up the musicians from the railway station. It turned out, however, that it was not necessary so I was able to stay at my place and relax with the sounds of wonderful music. Everyone found the concert of the clarinet virtuoso and composer David Krakauer to be the main event of the evening. He is a unique person permanently connected with the Festival and celebrating his 20th anniversary of participating. He was accompanied by the magnificent Sinfonietta Cracovia and conducted by Robert Kabara. As I stood by the main entrance for the artists I could watch them all more closely and controlling the lighting area I contributed much to the safety of the most important guests of the evening. And this is not irony. Music soothes manners and also helps with stress—and after my afternoon, I could use a little music.

During the Festival, everyone will find something for themselves, even kids. Parents can organise time for their kids in a nice way by enrolling them to workshops. Children learn most quickly through playing, which I experienced during yesterday’s workshop. Its theme was related to the Jewish house. First, the children gathered by a table which was a mini-exhibition of the most important every day life objects for a Jewish household. Among them one could see a mezuzah, a menorah, a kippah, a Chanukah candle, a wine goblet and more.

Additionally, a short multimedia presentation allowed further understanding. The children learned what a real Jewish kosher kitchen looks like, which dishes are neutral, meat or milk, what preparations the woman of the house does before the Sabbath and Passover. Amidst children shouting, as a volunteer, I watched over the order of art works and the general atmosphere of the workshops. I did it with pleasure, especially because I have a pedagogical background. The kids’ task was to draw a Jewish house and place a blessing inside, usually on a wall or in a window. The exhibition of over thirty pictures was impressive and each of them was really original. The workshops finished with a common singing and dancing to Israeli music. Popper’s synagogue, currently closed, is a vital cultural centre and during the year it often hosts similar workshops. When I was passing it a few days ago, I saw that in the temple’s garden a cycle of art workshops dedicated to Janusz Korczak took place. Both the children reading Kaytek the Wizard and the parents analysing his pedagogical benefited.

These meetings allowed the participants to learn innovative art techniques such as cottage, frottage or dripping. I can say that children bring me happiness and cheer me up like a bar of chocolate. The endorphins level increased significantly and the bad luck which haunted me for the last two days finally disappeared. I considered attending an interesting lecture. This time Paweł Smoleński, dr Stanisław Krajewski, Konstanty Gebert and prof. Shlomo Avineri discussed in the Center for Jewish Culture about Israel’s expectations of the diaspora and the diaspora’s of Israel. However, I did not stay for the discussion as I wanted to watch the workshop of Yemeni jewelry, especially because it took place at a barge moored at Bulwar Kurlandzki. Through the whole week of the “festival fever” an outstanding Israeli artist, Ben Zion Davis, has been presenting precisely the process of manufacturing particular elements of the jewellery. On the barge, the jewelry is available to buy as well.

I must admit, however, that it is not one of the cheapest souvenirs for purchase. Each madame who possesses it will attract jealous looks of other women. On my way to Tempel Synagogue for the concert of the Miller family I tried to look for a replica of such jewelry in our local Indian shop. Unfortunately I had no luck, at least in Poland. India is quite far from Yemen… So I contented myself with purchasing a nice tangle of turquoise beads in a promotional price which I will exchange one day for a Yemeni gem.