This project is run by The Cukerman's Gate Foundation from Bedzin.
We've recently come across an unseen collection of pre-war pictures from two neighbouring provincial Polish towns – Zarki and Myszkow – in the Upper Silesia region. Located in private collections, hundreds, if not thousands of pictures spanning several decades, supply the token presence of family life, forgotten people and coexisting Jewish and Gentile communities.

Following publication of a fraction of the collection of unseen photographs from Zarki, we are now working on further research and exhibition of the collection. More about the book here: http://www.sztetl.org.pl/en/cms/news/5654,zarki-a-jewish-town-the-lost-photographs/

The pictures show both pre-war Jews and Gentiles ‘being there’, living together, momentarily caught in their staged or seemingly casual poses. We meet a happy family of three generations. A little girl wears what seem to be folk-inspired clothes. We gaze at the Jonish family joyfully trotting the streets of Zarki- a candid depiction of a happy moment. This world has been gone for more than 70 years but photography provides an opportunity to renew it.We would like to save this world for future generations to explore.

It is estimated both collections contain around 1000 photographs the majority of which are still on negatives. For over 70 years these have been stored in unsuitable conditions, for example, in the attic of a private property and in a garage. Therefore, we feel it is crucial to digitalise these materials in order to protect them from disintegration.
A significant part of the collection also depicts life in the Zarki ghetto.
Ultimately, we're planning to exhibit these pictures.

We need your help to catalogue, research and exhibit this unique collection. We are unlikely to receive major institutional support so now, more than ever, we are asking for your generosity. We've been promised 2 rooms that need complete refurbishment.