Guided tour of the “Polska Britannica” exhibition

Guided tour
05.08.2026, 18:00

These remarkable photographs tell the story of the Polish diaspora in the UK – a community rebuilding its life in Britain after the Second World War. Czesław Siegieda’s photographs remained hidden away in the archive for over 40 years. They are not only exceptional images, but also the story of a man who, with great sensitivity, captured a “piece of history” and honoured the experiences of his parents generation.

Magdalena Gorlas – a writer and journalist, also closely connected with the photographic community for many years – spoke with Czesław Siegieda about his life, photography, and the story behind the creation of the photographs on display. During the tour, she will introduce the exhibition’s author and explore the story behind the archive that remained unseen for decades.

Karolina Jonderko, a photographer and author of the project “Little Poland”, encountered members of the same generation of Polish emigrants several decades later. She photographed the residents of Ilford Park Polish Home in Devon – Polish war veterans and refugees who remained in the United Kingdom after the Second World War and spent the final years of their lives there, far from Poland.

Siegieda’s photographs and Jonderko’s project offer two perspectives on the lives of the post-war Polish community in the UK, separated by several decades. The first shows people rebuilding their lives and creating a Polish community in Britain; the second returns to the same generation later in life, when its history lives on primarily through the memories of its last witnesses.

The tour will be an opportunity to reflect on photography, memory, and migration, but above all on the people whose personal stories form part of the wider history of the Polish presence in the United Kingdom.

Text: Magdalena Gorlas, Karolina Jonderko

Magdalena Gorlas – writer, journalist, traveller, always curious about other people. She writes about food, flavours, places, and people, exploring the stories behind the scenes. Her work has appeared in publications including “Chicago Tribune”, “The Washington Post”, “Polityka”, “Gazeta Wyborcza”, and “Zwierciadło”. For many years, she has also been involved in promoting institutions, foundations, and cultural projects. She has gained extensive experience working with, among others, Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej Zamek Ujazdowski, Fundacja Centrum Cyfrowe, “Fotografia Kolekcjonerska”, Fotofestiwal Łódź, and Fundacja Chlebem i Solą. She has also contributed to numerous projects by Sputnik Photos.

Karolina Jonderko – documentary photographer, member of Napo Images, and Fujifilm ambassador. PhD candidate at University of National Education Commission in Kraków, graduate of photography at the Cinematography Department of Łódź Film School. Winner of prestigious awards, including World Press Photo, IdeasTap, and Magnum Photos Photographic Award, which opened the door to an internship at Magnum Photos in New York. Daughter of a miner and a music teacher. In her long-term projects, she explores themes of loss and memory, often starting from her own experiences.

www.karolinajonderko.com

5 August (Wednesday), 18:00

Czesław Siegieda
Polska Britannica
24.06 – 06.09.2026
Curators: Marta Szymańska and Tim Smith in collaboration with Instytut Fotografii Fort

Gallery opening hours:
Wed–Fri: 14–19
Sat–Sun: 12–19