BERLIN - KRAKOW CULTURAL VISIT

21st To 27th February 2023

This February, after the long period of strict COVID-19 travel restrictions, 39 Hautlieu students of History, Film and Art, from both the A-level and IB programmes, were excited to participate in an international trip to Germany and Poland. Encompassing a packed itinerary in both Berlin and Kraków, the visit proved to be a winning combination of culture, history, and enjoyable activities, which kept participants engaged and entertained during their six-day stay. Excerpts from trip leader and Head of History, Kris McAdam’s diary detail visits to iconic sites in both cities, as well as a range of stimulating educational and cultural experiences.

DAY 1. TUESDAY: JERSEY – LONDON –BERLIN

We began our trip with an early hop to Heathrow, followed by an afternoon flight to the German capital city of Berlin. A short trip from the airport to our hotel afforded students a glimpse of this unique and wonderful place just as the city’s artificial lights were taking over from the setting sun. The evening took us out to the IMAX cinema next to the famous Mercedes Benz arena, currently hosting shows and events from the Berlinale – the Berlin International Film Festival. We saw the latest Marvel film before taking a stroll along the East Side Gallery – a surviving section of the Berlin wall that is now the longest open-air gallery in the world. It’s difficult not to feel the weight of history combined with modernity in this impressive artistic space.

DAY 2. WEDNESDAY: BERLIN

Today began with a walking tour of Berlin, during which our German guides squeezed in numerous sites and tales of the historic city centre. Then the IB Film students visited the Film Museum in the Sony Centre, while others were given a guided tour of the Topography of Terror Museum, before passing by Checkpoint Charlie and on to the Jewish Museum. Free time followed in the trendy and glittering Potsdamer Platz before our return to the hotel. The IB Film students spent the evening at the science centre, Urania, the venue for the first of their two Berlinale screenings. This was topped off with an engaging Q&A session.

DAY 3. THURSDAY: BERLIN

Another action-packed day began with an ascent of Berlin’s famous TV Tower, which rewarded us with stunning views of the city. We then visited the weird and wonderful Bodyworlds museum, engaged in discussions about a sustainable future at the eclectic Futurium, and strolled the length of the educational Berlin Wall Memorial. A visit to the Museum for Communication (incorporating a talk on the power of media), the screening of a series of short films at the Berlinale and some down time in the bustling Alexander Platz completed a fine day.

DAY 4. FRIDAY: BERLIN

Today we braved the bitter chill of Berlin in February to explore the diverse street art scattered across the city. Our German guides explained the fascinating background to the styles and movements whose art works afford the tourist endless opportunities for quirky photographs. More art followed with a guided tour in a more formal setting: the C/O Art Museum, a private exhibition space for photography and visual media. The collection here was themed around tensions in society and future thinking, with works heavily influenced by the American colour photography evangelist, William Eggleston. The gallery is located in Amerika Haus, next to the Zoologischer Garten, where we enjoyed some free time before a group dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe – and then preparations for the overnight trip to Kraków...

DAY 5. SATURDAY: BERLIN – KRAKÓW

The ‘red-eye’ coach from Berlin got us to Kraków by 6.30am. A stark contrast to the German capital, this picturesque Polish city impressed us from the outset. A tour of the old town along with Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral enhanced our aesthetic appreciation, and enabled us to capture endless postcard images of this delightful place. A trip through the Jewish district brought harrowing insights into Kraków’s Second World War history, which were further enhanced by an interactive tour of Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (familiar to many from Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film, Schindler’s List). A quick trip for some to Market Square for late afternoon shopping was followed by an early night for all. Sunday promised to be another harrowing day.

DAY 7. MONDAY: KRAKÓW – LONDON

DAY 6. SUNDAY: AUSCHWITZ / KRAKÓW

This morning we took an early bus out to what had been the largest of the Nazi concentration and death camps: Auschwitz. The heavy snow seemed fitting, as it set the scene for students and staff to appreciate some of the harsh conditions faced by so many during World War II. Nothing, of course, could stand in for the incomprehensible, heinous atrocities endured by the victims of this place. Staff were proud of Hautlieu students’ respectful observance and meaningful questions and comments to our tour guides. We followed the camp with a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which included a 135m descent to a 3.5km maze full of wonders. And this was just the tourist trail; nothing to the 327m depth and 245km route that the miners had to face when the facility was in operation as a mine. Our last full day in Poland concluded with a Polish culture and folklore evening comprising local cuisine, music and dancing. We ate, danced, laughed and added more wonderful memories to our visit to Kraków.

Jersey

At the end of a packed and tiring, but ultimately fun and fulfilling, week, all that remained was the journey back home to our island – and the promise of a good night’s sleep! This has been an enjoyable, educational and unforgettable trip.