MUNDOLOGIA: Masuria - A land that touches the soul

This nature and culture report takes you to the north of Poland and is a tribute to a unique region of Europe: Masuria. With atmospheric images, Aneta and Dirk Bleyer immerse the audience in the rustic nature with its magnificent lake landscapes, lush forests, and gentle hills, while providing knowledgeable insights into the tumultuous history of the area that once belonged to East Prussia. Aneta and Dirk Bleyer's pictures are an excursion into a dynamic history and a portrait of the Masurian landscape, where forest and water entered into a love affair. A landscape to dream of: tranquil lakes, golden fields, and peaceful storks… At the same time, this is a region of Europe that has not always been treated with love by mankind. Following in the footsteps of the Knights of the Teutonic Order, past the mighty Malbork Castle, the Bleyers explore the sites associated with the poet Ernst Wichert. The journey leads into Masuria, the quiet land of crystal-clear lakes and dark forests, through present-day Gdańsk, where one can still sense its former Hanseatic wealth, and the once-splendid Königsberg – now Kaliningrad – whose war wounds have still not completely healed.

Nature views that awaken longing are depicted, along with stories of people who have remained loyal to Masuria or who have grown fond of the region. Danuta and Krzysztof have gathered the last decaying old Masurian houses and rebuilt them into a new village. In their small inn, they now pamper everyone who finds their way here with exotic Masurian delicacies. The young Joanna is full of energy as she works to reintroduce the long-extinct wild horses, the Tarpans, back into the Masurian forests. They all share a deep love for their old or new homeland and hope for a secure place in the European Union. Following in the footsteps of Countess Marion Dönhoff, Aneta and Dirk Bleyer paint a multifaceted and insightful picture of this region. For them, Masuria is still the land that touches the soul. For more information and images about this MUNDOLOGIA lecture, please visit www.mundologia.de.