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 a visual artist working under the pseudonym Pawellka. I’ve lived in Poland for almost six years — I moved from Ukraine at 17 to pursue my studies here. I’m 23 now.
What is Home?
Although I’m originally from Ukraine, it was here in Kraków that I truly started to feel at home. This is where my circle of friends began to form — the people I share a deep connection with. In Ukraine, I had acquaintances, but after the move, those ties gradually loosened. For me, the feeling of home is first and foremost rooted in relationships rather than places themselves. But we find people in places, so it’s all interconnected.
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Musical spaces are especially important for me, as music has been a big part of my life since teenage years. Back in 9th grade, I dreamed of becoming a drummer, but it was already too late to enroll in 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 career path.
Stakkato: stage, community, and first steps in organizing
At the Stakkato Art Space & Music Studio, I took my first steps in arts management— I helped found a music ensemble, even though I wasn’t part of it myself. That’s where I began to understand how music projects operate, 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 musical community formed, where you could just drop in, have a chat, and feel completely at ease. Creative fairs were also held there, where I met artisans from different countries. In places like these, it wasn't just my creative life that took shape, but also the sense of home — thanks to the people around you, who support you and become akin to 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 delightfully eccentric vibe. I’ve met all sorts of people there, because everyone is so open — they just come up to you and start a conversation. It’s very inviting and instantly makes you feel welcome.
I remember the first time we went there with friends. We had just come from an exhibition at the ASP gallery, the Academy of Fine Arts. After the formal opening — all dressed up in formal attire, suits — we walked into this bar in which there were mostly 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 located 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 though we didn’t exchange contacts, the conversations were lively and friendly.
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What creates that openness? I think it’s the shared interests. These bars attract specific crowds — like musicians holding jam sessions on Fridays, rock and metal fans. 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 playfulness and freedom. Creative communities often attract people who are a little “weird” in the best sense of the word— not your average “normies,” but people with quirks, strong emotions, and often a complex personal background. I’ve noticed that many people around me are neurodivergent — with 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 if you're looking for fun and entertainment, it’s definitely one of the best spots.
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Finding The Rhythm Indoors​
In our home, music is the heartbeat of the living space, creating a sense of harmony and belonging. My partner and I are both musicians, so our 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 a visual artist, that was clear since childhood, but music feels like a deeper form of emotional expression.
One more thing that I hold dear 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 transports me back to 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 more muted…perhaps because I’m older now. It’s strange how something as simple as a paper house can evoke an entire chapter of life.