Remember with us

„Remember with us” is a project realised annually by The Historical Museum of the City of Kraków and it’s three branches, The Eagle Pharmacy, Oskar Schindler’s Factory and Pomorska Street. All 3 museums could be visited with a guide for free. There was also a possibility of joining guided walks in the city. At The Eagle Pharmacy a culinary workshop took place. This was a unique occasion to try dishes from II World War.

Breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner…
In pre-war Krakow whole families were gathering at the table. Breakfast was rather quiet. Traditional dinner had three or four courses. For tea – cake or sandwich, at home, with friends or in a cafe. Dinner used to be very late in the evening. Polish cuisine dominated, with strong influence of French and less Jewish, Armenian and Ukrainian cuisine. Cooking was easy.

Nazi occupation has changed almost everything. Food products that could be purchased did not cover even half of the daily caloric intake. Another problem was lack of food, rich in protein and fat such as meat, eggs, milk, etc. The prices of some products have risen even thirty times. Preparing meals during the occupation was a challenge for almost every housewife. Cooking from recipes popular before World War II became impossible.

Products had to be bartered or brought from families or friends living in villages nearby, bought on the black market, collected in parks and forests, smuggled, cultivated in gardens and backyards, and even stolen. There was no butter? Margarine was used. Sugar was missing? Grated beets or molasses. Weeds were key ingredients. Every house had its own ideas and recipes. Meals were an effect of what could be found at home.

But what is important , families were trying to have meals together, giving, in addition to the necessary calories, hope, encouragement and respite in uncertain times.

See the pictures

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