The rebirth of print press is a world-wide trend which has also inevitably blossomed in Poland. There are a few shops here that carry the big names such as Monocle, Apartamento, Cereal, Kinfolk and the likes. These titles are popular with Poles however, there is also a Polish language print scene that is developing into something quite exciting.
Poles are creating beautiful magazines with gorgeous visuals, a pleasing aesthetic as well as interesting topics and themes that all segments of society can identify with. B and I have been picking some of these up at our local press shop- “Super Salon”, located just down the street. We figure that it’s an easy and passive way to practise our Polish. It also serves as a vehicle to gaining an understanding of the context of the place in which we live. It’s generally light reading that we can conquer article by article, issue by issue. Polish magazines are a fraction of the price of the magazines published and printed abroad, so we have a chance to save some of our grosze (Polish pennies).
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the Polish magazines that we have been purchasing:
Poles are creating beautiful magazines with gorgeous visuals, a pleasing aesthetic as well as interesting topics and themes that all segments of society can identify with. B and I have been picking some of these up at our local press shop- “Super Salon”, located just down the street. We figure that it’s an easy and passive way to practise our Polish. It also serves as a vehicle to gaining an understanding of the context of the place in which we live. It’s generally light reading that we can conquer article by article, issue by issue. Polish magazines are a fraction of the price of the magazines published and printed abroad, so we have a chance to save some of our grosze (Polish pennies).
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the Polish magazines that we have been purchasing:
Zwykle Zycie (Normal Life)
Probably my favorite of the bunch, Zwykle Zycie attempts to write about just that, the life of people who live around us and finding the extraordinary elements of their everyday life. There are always several interviews with fascinating people. Whether this is the 69 year old man who just crossed the Atlantic solo in a kayak, or a guy in a village who builds motorcycles, or a 4th generation craft shoemaker, the uniting factor is omni-present: passion. This is the essence of this magazine and all articles reflect that. There is a great emphasis on trades and craft, with the editors being perpetrators of artisanal and traditional products and methods of making them. ZZ always features a few recipes, usually tied to a good story or two. The book-like format of this magazine is convenient as it fits in my purse and is easy to pull out wherever I am.
Probably my favorite of the bunch, Zwykle Zycie attempts to write about just that, the life of people who live around us and finding the extraordinary elements of their everyday life. There are always several interviews with fascinating people. Whether this is the 69 year old man who just crossed the Atlantic solo in a kayak, or a guy in a village who builds motorcycles, or a 4th generation craft shoemaker, the uniting factor is omni-present: passion. This is the essence of this magazine and all articles reflect that. There is a great emphasis on trades and craft, with the editors being perpetrators of artisanal and traditional products and methods of making them. ZZ always features a few recipes, usually tied to a good story or two. The book-like format of this magazine is convenient as it fits in my purse and is easy to pull out wherever I am.
USTA (Lips)
This magazine is more than just about recipes. Every issue is filled with stories, photographs, reviews, interviews, commentaries, in short anything to do with food. Food art, politics around it, all from the perspectives of those who grow it, make it, sell it, and consume it. Of course there are recipes as well, but always accompanied with a greater theme or a good story to swallow along with your drool that pooled up while looking at the photos. The visuals are absolutely stunning and sometimes certain pages are made into posters that can be bought separately. Personally, I think that this magazine is targeting towards a younger audience, but I think all open-minded people can, and should, enjoy it. USTA often organizes or participates in events and workshops in which the general population can attend, such as the Apples and Cider Festival in the fall, large picnics, or Flower Days.
This magazine is more than just about recipes. Every issue is filled with stories, photographs, reviews, interviews, commentaries, in short anything to do with food. Food art, politics around it, all from the perspectives of those who grow it, make it, sell it, and consume it. Of course there are recipes as well, but always accompanied with a greater theme or a good story to swallow along with your drool that pooled up while looking at the photos. The visuals are absolutely stunning and sometimes certain pages are made into posters that can be bought separately. Personally, I think that this magazine is targeting towards a younger audience, but I think all open-minded people can, and should, enjoy it. USTA often organizes or participates in events and workshops in which the general population can attend, such as the Apples and Cider Festival in the fall, large picnics, or Flower Days.
Smak! (Taste)
Smak is another culinary magazine, this one slightly more conservative but with more recipes and more illustrations. The paper is very nice and thick, the pictures are once again beautiful and there is an abundance of recipes for all palettes. I think that this is the one most like “Kinfolk” from first glance and each issue is quite timeless and can easily stand alone.
Smak is another culinary magazine, this one slightly more conservative but with more recipes and more illustrations. The paper is very nice and thick, the pictures are once again beautiful and there is an abundance of recipes for all palettes. I think that this is the one most like “Kinfolk” from first glance and each issue is quite timeless and can easily stand alone.
FATHERS
The cover of this magazine really caught my eye (and tugged at my heartstrings) for obvious reasons. The content inside is equally as precious with men writing and being interviewed about their role as fathers. “How has this changed your life?” “What is the most important aspect of parenthood?” “How do you balance your life?” are some of the basic questions that the subjects respond to. The further development of their personal stories is usually illustrated with touching photos. We bought this in Polish and later found out that it is also published in English. As a matter of fact, the magazine is making a splash on a lot of lifestyle and design blogs, quite unusual (regrettably) for Polish content thus far.
The cover of this magazine really caught my eye (and tugged at my heartstrings) for obvious reasons. The content inside is equally as precious with men writing and being interviewed about their role as fathers. “How has this changed your life?” “What is the most important aspect of parenthood?” “How do you balance your life?” are some of the basic questions that the subjects respond to. The further development of their personal stories is usually illustrated with touching photos. We bought this in Polish and later found out that it is also published in English. As a matter of fact, the magazine is making a splash on a lot of lifestyle and design blogs, quite unusual (regrettably) for Polish content thus far.
As you can see (or else read), the Polish print industry is really taking off and becoming a popular way to share ideas within its borders as well as abroad. So if you are a Polish reader, make sure you pick up some ‘zine at Super Salon next time you’re in town!
Bisouxxxx,
B[ZU]
Bisouxxxx,
B[ZU]