Taking Charity to Heart
They wore their hearts on their sleeves… and on their hats, their bags and in some cases their cheeks; for January 9 was the annual fundraising day of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (Wielka Orkiestra Swiatecznej Pomocy).
Poland’s largest annual charity event included live music, activities in galleries and museums, street entertainment and a fundraising auction. About 2,500 volunteers collected donations in Krakow, handing out an estimated one million red, heart-shaped stickers.
The Gallery of 19th Century Polish Art at the Sukiennice had 1,300 visitors, and remained open until 8pm to accommodate latecomers.
There’s still time to donate to this year’s cause – helping children with kidney and urinary diseases – by taking part in the National Museum’s ongoing auction. On offer until January 18 is a VIP visit to the Sukiennice and Joseph Mehoffer Museum, while bidding on three reproduction Siemiradzki Torches of Nero closes on January 22.