Poland's success at the La Biennale di Venezia, where it was represented by the "Child's Play - Polish design for children" exhibition, is a good excuse to say few words about what to bring your child as a souvenir from Poland. We definitely discourage you from buying "regional souvenirs", such as ciupaga (a highlander's ax), which are usually of very poor quality.
The toy market has also been deeply affected by the globalization processes. There's little surprise in finding the same, already known products in toy shops all around the world, regardless of the country or continent. They are manufactured under well-known brand names which, despite guaranteeing their quality (they simply cannot allow any flaws due to marketing reasons), bring the dullness and monotony to the world of toys as well as children's needs.
Several artists have decided to defy that lack of variety, usually driven by the birth of their own child and the need to give them something unique or simply "different" to play with. A good example of that is the story of the founder of Kalimba - Natka Luniak. Sewing toys for her daughter (NB: she focused on toys during her diploma project at the Fine Arts Academy) became a way of life and flourished into a business.
Another example is "Trzy Myszy" (Three Mice) - makers of cardboard toys that can be folded up. At first they used moving cartons to make houses and vehicles for their children. Children simply loved playing with those - they could be painted, decorated and customized to their liking. The toys, however, had one major weakness - they were easily broken. Hence, the toy-makers decided to use a tailor-made, solid, five-ply cardboard. They had to buy it in bulk and as it turned out, their friends' children loved the cardboard wonders too - and that is how "Three Mice" came to life. The choice is limited, but I heard it on the grapevine that "Three Mice" are working on two Children Day specials. The toys can be ordered online and can be easily shipped to the far corners of the world. However, there is a story about a man, who carried an already folded up cardboard plane personally to Barcelona. Young pilot was probably already waiting at the airport....
The transport definitely won't be an issue when it comes to The Paper City - two 30x38 cm sized cardboard sheets with vehicles and buildings printed. No tools are required to fold them up. Three different versions have already been made and more are coming. The author of the project, Robert Czajka claims that once folded up, they are virtually indestructible (tested by his own child).
The toys presented here, apart from the genuine "Made in Poland" label, have one substantial advantage: they stimulate imagination, foster creativity and develop aesthetic sensitivity. This, unfortunately cannot be guaranteed when it comes to pink, plastic ready-made doll houses or a sword-equipped monster warrior, also a plastic one, of course.
more at:
www.kalimba.pl (EN)
