Robert Matusiak, who runs Refuse Records, helped us to coordinate a number of critical meetings, traveled with us extensively, taught us Polish tongue-twisters and enjoyed vegan ice cream. Every time we needed help during the pre-trip planning, we knew Robert would solve the problem.
Ania Ledwon was our faithful companion in Oswiecim and Krakow, frequently helping with translation and, more importantly, connecting us with the long lineage of Oswiecim Poles who have been committed to tolerance and equality. Through Ania, we met her uncle, her mother, and her grandmother, all of whom regaled us with stories of Oswiecim's past. And, she let us use her washing machine, which may have been as much for her benefit as ours. Pawel Rabczuk and Bartek Jelen completed the Oswiecim triumvirate, showing us around Birkenau and contributing significantly to our post-visit group meeting. Combined, these three made the Auschwitz experience transformative and meaningful.
Pawel Szczap was our primary translator, staying with us the whole trip and repeatedly singing the praises of Momo. His efforts were frequently super-human, though he may never recover from our one-question-interview with Henryk Mandelbaum.
Michal Wolny helped us out twice, first coordinating all of our events in Lublin, including the fantastic visit to Grodzka Gate and the Flight from Death screening there. Then, he also came through with a FFD screening in Kazimierz Dolny. He even fit in Critical Mass between events.
Upon returning home, Leszek Wolfram translated all of the footage shot in Poland from Polish to English. It was a remarkable effort, for which we are very grateful.
We are, of course, also indebted to the many people in Poland who were willing to meet with us. The openness and generosity of these people, committing not just time but often overwhelming hospitality, was one of the defining aspects of the trip. We will do our best to honor their kindness through our faithful telling of their stories.
Photographs included in this section are courtesy of Natasha Conner, Greg Bennick, Scott Shamansky, and Ariana Brinckerhoff.