We are already into the last week of one of the major exhibitions of the season, 'Napoleon and the Poles.' Culture vultures should head on down to this lively show at the Czartoryski, the oldest museum in Poland.
Napoleon is one of the most debated figures in Polish history, with some historians painting him as a monster, and others as a hero. There is still a good deal of nostalgia for the heroics of Napoleon's Polish troops, who believed that they were fighting for the resurrection of Poland. For the Poles - and Bonaparte himself - the nail in the coffin came in 1812 with the Moscow campaign.
This dazzling exhibition shows how nineteenth century Poles romanticized that generation. Poland's valour during the Napoleonic Wars was legendary across Europe, and there is a panoply of swashbuckling paintings, uniforms and idiosyncratic memorabilia to enjoy at the museum. The exhibition may not constitute a balanced assessment of that era, but it is worth seeing even for the uniforms alone.
Other January highlights include the unveiling of a new floor at the Camelot Gallery. This gallery has already taken it's place as one of the most inspiring exhibition spaces in Cracow. A collection of Cracovian artists, including photographers, painters and conceptual artists opened a show there this weekend. Contemporary art aficionados should pop by and have a look. Later in the month, talented Scottish photographer Simon Crofts will be opening an exhibition entitled 'East/West', exploring the contrasts and comparisons between Eastern and Western Europe (27th Jan). Don't miss it!
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