Kamil Bogusz

Beginnings often influence one’s later decisions in life. My story was no different. As a young boy, a teenager, I decided to create my own album with Chrzanów’s most interesting locations. I found history fascinating. After a few months of collecting information and taking photographs, I was almost done – the only thing that was missing was the mysterious “kierków”. I had heard from older residents that Chrzanów used to have a Jewish population, but I did not know who these people were. At the time, to enter a Jewish cemetery you had to climb through the gap in the wall. Armed with an analogue camera and warm clothes (as I conducted my work in wintertime), I set out for kierków. When I entered the premises of the necropolis, I saw a space with thousands of headstones. I immediately started photographing matzevot that captivated me with their beauty and mysterious letters I had never seen before. This was when I realized that the people buried there were residents of my town and neighbors of my grandparents and great grandparents. I wanted to learn about them as much as possible, to discern their names, professions, addresses, learn about their life, whether they were happy and what were their worries… The seed planted then has sprouted and continues growing to this day – to find out as much as possible about former residents of my – or rather, our -town! I still have the photographs I had taken that day; they remind me of the resolution I had made then. I was born in 1988 in Chrzanów. My family has lived in the town since the 15^th or 16^th century, so it was only natural that I became interested in the town’s history. Jewish residents of the town were inextricably linked to this history, which is why since 2010 I have been in touch with former Jewish residents of Chrzanów or their descendants. I am currently a PhD student at the Department of History and Cultural Heritage of the John Paul II Papal University in Krakow. I obtained my MA title in history of the Church at the same institution.

Between 2010 and 2015, I worked as an assistant in Chrzanów’s Museum. I am currently employed in the archives of Łaźnia Nowa Theater in Kraków. In 2014, I was elected a member of Chrzanów’s town council. First and foremost, I conduct research on Chrzanów’s Jewish community (writing papers), with special emphasis on educational projects for schoolchildren and senior citizens of the University of the Third Age (presentations, workshops, walking tours through the town or the Jewish cemetery). I contact archives in search of documents about Jews in Chrzanów area. Additionally, I am interested in the history of the parish of St.Nicholas in Chrzanów and the history of the local cemeteries, hospitals and schools. I have written a few scholarly and popular articles about Western Małopolska region. In the course of my research or workshops I conduct, I put special emphasis on church archives – few people are aware of the wealth of information on Jewish communities they offer. My task is to restore the names of former town residents to the memory of those here today. This can only be done through research in archives and conversations with town residents. My activism is a source of great personal satisfaction; for example, after 150 years I was able to reconstruct the socio-topographic plan of Chrzanów, moving back in time to re-discover old streets with all their inhabitants. Only human memory can guarantee “immortality” in this world. This is why recalling each of the former residents of my town makes them immortal again: merchants, printers, tailors, pot-makers, craftsmen, etc. Descendants learn about the life of their predecessors and local townspeople learn about the story of their homesteads. By understanding the past it is easier to build relations in the present for the development of the future.

Activism

• Presentations and workshops about Chrzanów Jews for local youth
• Walking tours of Jewish Chrzanów
• Research activity
• Contact with Chrzanów’s former residents and their descendants
• Co-organization and participation in anniversary ceremonies in Chrzanów