Outdoor integration workshops in Tokarnia – students, parents and teachers explored the region’s heritage through photography

On 29 May 2026, Polish and foreign students from the Hugo Kołłątaj Secondary School in Pińczów, together with parents and teachers, took part in outdoor integration workshops at the Ethnographic Park in Tokarnia.

The multicultural outdoor workshops were organised in the unique setting of the Ethnographic Park in Tokarnia. It was an opportunity to meet, integrate and learn about the history, traditions and cultural landscape of the Świętokrzyskie region.

The participants visited the charming open-air museum, discovering elements of former everyday life, folk architecture and local heritage. A shared walk through Tokarnia encouraged conversations, mutual understanding and the building of relationships between students, parents and teachers.

A special part of the event was a photography workshop with elements of folk culture, led by Grzegorz Sideł – a well-known Świętokrzyskie photographer associated with the Kielce School of Landscape, and co-founder of the Pasiak Świętokrzyski Foundation, which he runs together with his wife.

During the meeting, participants learned about selected topics related to the history of landscape photography in the Świętokrzyskie region and the tradition of the Kielce School of Landscape. We discussed how to look at space, light, architecture and details in order to tell the story of a place, its history and atmosphere through photography.

The practical part covered the basics of proper framing, image composition, colour and the use of different types of lenses. Participants also explored various types of photography, including landscape, architectural, portrait and macro photography.

An important element of the workshop was showing that a good photograph does not have to be taken only with a professional camera. Particular attention was paid to photography with smartphones – the most accessible tools today, used by young people every day. This allowed participants to immediately test new tips in practice.

The trip to Tokarnia combined regional education, intercultural integration, contact with folk heritage and the development of creative skills. It was also an example of how joint activities outside school can strengthen relationships, openness and a sense of belonging to the local community.