Story of Polina from Ukraine
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My name is Polina. I’m the vocalist of the music band "Vremya Lubit'" (eng: "Time to Love") and also an illustrator and an artist (artistic pseudonym: Pawellka). I’ve been in Poland for almost six years — I came from Ukraine at 17 to attend studies here. I’m 23 now.
What is Home?
Although I’m originally from Ukraine, I felt the strongest sense of home here in Kraków. This is where my real circle began to form — the people I truly feel warmth with. In Ukraine, I had acquaintances, but after the move, the connections gradually faded because I’ve now lived here longer than there. For me, the feeling of home comes more from relationships than from places themselves. But we find people in places, so it’s all interconnected.
Musical spaces play a special role in giving me a sense of home — music has been a big part of my life since I was a teenager. Back in 9th grade, I dreamed of becoming a drummer, but it was already too late to enter music school. So I taught myself: I picked up the ukulele, started writing songs, singing, and eventually formed a band. I first learned to play while still living in Ukraine, but it was Kraków’s vibrant musical scene that helped me turn this passion into a real path.
Stakkato: stage, community, and first steps in organizing
At the Stakkato Art Space & Music Studio, I tried myself as an art manager for the first time — I helped create a music band, even though I wasn’t part of it myself. That’s where I began to understand how music projects work, and it inspired me to form my own band. I also took my first performance classes at Stakkato. Here, like in other places, a warm music community formed, where you could just come, chat, and feel at ease. Creative fairs were also held there, where I met craftswomen from different countries. In such places, not only my creative life was shaped, but also the sense of home — thanks to the people around you, who support you and become something like a family.
Pub pod ZiemiÄ…: sense of togetherness
Sometimes I miss that sense of togetherness — that feeling when you walk into a place and everyone knows each other, smiles, nods. One of those rare places for me is Pub pod ZiemiÄ… in Kazimierz. It’s technically a karaoke bar, but nothing like the classic kind. It’s more like punk karaoke — metalheads, rockers, that kind of wonderfully weird vibe. I’ve met all sorts of people there, just because no one is shy — they come up, start a conversation. It’s very comforting and makes you feel welcome.
I remember the first time we went there with friends. We had just come from an exhibition at the gallery of ASP, the Academy of Fine Arts. After the formal opening — all dressed up in nice clothes, dresses, suits — we walked into this bar. And there they were: punk rockers in ripped denim, chains, leather. We sat down, looked at each other like, “I hope this goes well…” But it turned out to be great. No judgment, just all kinds of people, and everyone is incredibly open.
Klub Kulturalny
Klub Kulturalny is right in the city center. One cool thing about both this place and Pub pod ZiemiÄ… is that you can request songs in Russian or Ukrainian, even though the DJs are usually Polish. I celebrated my birthday there and had a few fun chats with strangers — even if we didn’t exchange contacts, the conversations were lively and open.
What creates that openness? I think it’s shared interests. These bars attract specific crowds — like musicians jamming on Fridays, or rock and metal fans at Pod ZiemiÄ…. For me, rockers and metalheads are some of the most open people I’ve met. Maybe it’s because they tend to take life a bit less seriously — there’s this mix of childishness and freedom. Creative communities often attract people who are a little “weird” in the best way — not your average “normal,” but people with quirks, strong emotions, and often a tough background. I’ve noticed many around me are neurodivergent — ADHD, autism — and I think that kind of wiring often comes with deep creativity.
Krakow Arcade Museum
If you’ve just arrived in Kraków and want to feel like a kid left home alone for the holidays, go to the the Museum of Arcade Games. It’s basically a hall full of arcade machines. They have all kinds of arcade games for every taste. Anyone can come in, play, and maybe even meet someone new. There are lots of gamers around. I wouldn’t say it’s a place where you’ll find a tight-knit community, but for fun and pure enjoyment, it’s definitely one of the best spots.
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Sense of home at home
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At our place, music is a big part of the sense of home. My partner and I are both musicians, so the flat is full of instruments: keyboards, two acoustic guitars, an electric guitar, two ukuleles, and a variety of percussion instruments. For me, music is the coziest thing there is — something that really speaks to the soul. I always knew I’d be an artist, that was clear since childhood, but music feels like a deeper form of emotional expression.
One more thing — and this is really special to me — is a paper model of a panel apartment building. It’s super realistic, and it reflects the light beautifully — like a real post-Soviet building glowing in the sun. It really reminds me of childhood: walking home from school with a backpack, giant concrete blocks around you, everything golden and warm. That kind of nostalgic, sun-drenched memory. Nowadays, things seem a bit greyer…Because I’m more grown-up, maybe. It’s strange how even something as simple as a paper house can bring back a whole era.