Chris Schwarz (1948-2007)

 

Ten years ago, Cracow's Kazimierz district, erstwhile hub of the city's Jewish community, was a woefully forlorn labyrinth of crumbling houses and lifeless synagogues. Petty crime was rife, and the district had still not shaken off its post-war links with prostitution. The renaissance that occurred in the last decade salvaged the area as one of the most invaluable - and beautiful - vestiges of Jewish culture in the whole of Europe. Synagogues were renovated, the yearly Festival of Jewish Culture went from strength to strength, and above all, life returned to the streets and alleys.

In the Spring of 2004, Chris Schwarz, a British photographer of Polish/Jewish descent, opened a museum in the heart of Kazimierz that swiftly took its place as a beacon for Poland's Jewish culture. The Galicia Museum brought a breath of fresh air to the area, and Chris energetically promoted a plethora of local and international talent. Writers, singers, historians, musicians and statesmen from across the globe all took part in events at the museum, helping to revitalise Polish-Jewish dialogue. However, the showpiece of the enterprise was the founder's own exhibition - 'Traces of Memory' - an extraordinarily evocative record of the Jewish heritage of Galicia. Chris had spent over a decade compiling this collection, rooting out remote hamlets to capture his images. He had made frequent trips to Poland ever since covering the Solidarity revolution in 1981, and he eventually settled in Cracow in 2004.

It is a shock to have to record the passing of someone who seemed so very much in his prime. Chris's work was one of the best things to have happened to Kazimierz in recent years. He was not a partisan, but a creative thinker who was open to debate. And although he dwelt in a tragic heritage, he retained a lively wit, and created an optimistic tone in his dialogue about the future. This quality shone through in both the exhibitions themselves, and in his choice of guests at the museum. His shots of the historic landscapes of Galicia will endure as one of finest records of the fallout of the Second World War on Poland's seven hundred year Jewish heritage. Cracow will be a poorer place without Chris, and we sincerely hope that there will be a way to keep his work alive and flourishing. At this time of mourning we would also like to express our very deepest sympathies to Chris's immediate family and staff.

Source: Cracow Life

Aug.1st.2007

add your comments

I grew up with Chis from the age of 11 - 17 in boarding school in England. He was alwasy an interesting person even at that young age and we knew he would do something good in his life.

Good bye old friend

reviewed by Tony Foote from United States on Jun.21.2008

I first met Chris in the summer of 2005 when I visited his Museum. I was in Poland to research a Holocaust biography and other Shoah project and have made return visits since then. Chris could not have been kinder to me, he was always helpful, always supportive. His own history was extraordinary and his talents considerable. He was throughout his career a true and compassionate visionary.

I will miss you, my dear friend, and I pray that you have at last found the peace and happiness you so well-deserved. You have my eternal respect and affection--always. Anna

reviewed by Anna R-J from United States on Apr.02.2008

I first met Chris in the summer of 2005 when I visited his Museum. I was in Poland to research a Holocaust biography and other Shoah projects. Chris could not have been kinder, he was always helpful, always supportive. His own history was extraordinary and his talents considerable. He was throughout his career a true and compassionate visionary.

I will miss you, dear friend, and I pray that you have at last found the peace and happiness you so well-deserved. You have my eternal respect and affection--always. Anna

reviewed by Anna R-J from United States on Apr.02.2008

I first met Chris in the summer of 2005 when I visited his Museum. I was in Poland to research a Holocaust biography and other Shoah projects. Chris could not have been kinder, he was always helpful, always supportive. His own history was extraordinary and his talents considerable. He was throughout his career a true and compassionate visionary.

I will miss you, dear friend, and I pray that you have at last found the peace and happiness you so well-deserved. You have my eternal respect and affection--always. Anna

reviewed by Anna R-J from United States on Apr.02.2008

In the summer of 2006 I was in Poland to do my research on Polish farmers experiencing the transition after joining the EU. I bought one of Chris's cameras; he taught me to use it and also, in the process, taught me to take pictures. He was extraordinarily talented. This is a terrible loss. I will remember him through my camera. Rest in peace, Chris.

reviewed by Kathy from United States on Mar.03.2008

I only met Chris twice but I will never forget him. He was a very special man.

reviewed by Nina Benton from United Kingdom on Jan.09.2008

I met Chris when I was working in a mental health centre in Brixton in 1978. We became friends very quickly. Conversations and food and exciting ideas. Generous in spirit and time. I lost touch. I found him again but didn't make a visit and now too late. He was a wonderful friend to me

reviewed by Bronwen Williams from United States on Dec.04.2007

The more I think of you , the more I miss you, my brother.

B

reviewed by Bogdan from United Kingdom on Nov.19.2007

I'm very shocked. I met Chris when I visited Krakow with my family last summer. His warmth, sympathy and interest in Jews and non-Jews seemed a model post-Holocaust attitude. He guided us round his amazing gallery, and the enthusiasm and knowledge just poured out of him. I’ll always remember running, with a real spring in my step, from Estery to Szeroka, feeling at home again in this city with such a tragic past. It was, in no small part, Chris’s vitality and unfussy intelligence which gave me that confidence. Really sorry to hear this terrible news.

reviewed by Alex Games from United Kingdom on Sep.25.2007

Sorry to hear this sad news, I remember Chris well from Brick Lane in London in the '70s when he would often appear, quiet and observant, wandering through the remnants of the old Jewish area gently picking up on and recording the changes as the new Bengali population diffused in.

David Hoffman

reviewed by David Hoffman from United Kingdom on Aug.20.2007

Nigdy nie zapomne tego jak miło mnie pożegnał, to byl maprawde dobry człowiek i dobry szef. Może z innej planety, ale to bylo jego wielka zaletą. Powinnismy Go pamietac jako Człowieka z ciastkiem czekoladowym w reku, witającego z usmiechem dzieci z Kazimierza, "his friends", jak zwykl ich nazywac. Szkoda, ze nie bedzie juz nigdy przemykal przez Kazimierz na rowerze, z aparatem na ramieniu i usmiechem na twarzy :)

reviewed by Jagoda from Poland on Aug.04.2007

Very sad to hear that Chris is dead. When I was editor of Barclays News - the worldwide magazine for Barclays employees - I hired him often for photo shoots we couldn't tackle. He was great to work with and an enthusiast, especially for those causes we perhaps never fully understood. What a shame he's gone so young.

reviewed by Kevin O'Neill from United Kingdom on Aug.02.2007

Thank you Chris. I miss you.

reviewed by Guy Sigsworth from United Kingdom on Aug.02.2007

A tragic loss. We shalll miss him greatly.

reviewed by Mark Bradshaw from United Kingdom on Aug.02.2007

A truly great man who made an impact, not only in Kazimierz. RIP.

reviewed by Dagny from Poland on Aug.01.2007

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