The exhibition “Water mark. One year after the flood” is presented from September 5 to October 4, 2025, at Central Square in Warsaw. The flood that struck southwestern regions of Poland in September 2024 was one of the largest disasters in recent years. Polish Humanitarian Action was there from the very beginning. We witnessed how needs changed, responded to the most urgent ones, and prepared long-term recovery plans. The exhibition showcases photographs from places affected by the flood, which still bear the marks of that difficult time.
About exhibition
The flood that hit the south-western regions of Poland in September 2024 was one of the biggest disasters of recent years. We were there right from the start. We saw how needs were changing, responded to what was most urgent, and prepared long-term recovery plans.
We worked with local community leaders, who knew best which family needed help but wouldn’t come forward on their own. They knew where to go and whom to convince. We supported the renovations of cultural institutions that were turned into warehouses or application writing points during the flood, and offered trauma release workshops afterwards. Village leaders told us that normality must return and held winter fairs in flooded markets. And normality is returning on a large scale to homes that still bear the marks of high water. The belief that things will again be as they had been before is returning too.
An important prerequisite for providing effective and adequate assistance is to be on the ground. Establishing direct contact with residents, building trust and lasting relationships. The aim is always to restore the state of affairs as they were before the tragedy as quickly and with as little loss as possible. To recreate what seemed lost forever.
At the exhibition, you will see photographs from places that suffered during the floods and still bear the marks of that difficult time. Photographer Aleksander Małachowski (hashtagalek) went to the area a year after the flood and portrayed it as he always photographs cities and buildings in Poland: with great sensitivity, creativity and affection. He also captures the beauty of these places and the traces of the tragedy. Aleksander’s photographs are accompanied by portraits of people we have met during our work. The story of each person and place is different, unique, and incomparable. We invite you to take a closer look at them.
Aleksander Małachowski, Hashtagalek – Architectural photographer, Master of Arts, co-creator of the comprehensive photography course ProjektFotografia.pl. Author of the famous work ‘Polish Hospitality’, which became one of the symbols of Poland’s solidarity with Ukraine. Graduate of the Faculty of New Media Arts at the Polish‑Japanese Academy of Information Technology. Observing reality, he has focused on geometry, symmetry, and minimalism for more than a decade. He uses advanced post-production techniques on a daily basis to achieve a fairy-tale effect in his photographs but, for this exhibition, he has kept the interference with the images to a minimum, letting the reality speak instead.
The exhibition “Water mark. One year after the flood” is presented from September 5 to October 5 at Central Square (Plac Centralny) in Warsaw
Do you like the photos from the exhibition? Donate any amount to photographer Aleksander Małachowski’s fundraiser and receive 6 photos selected by him! After making a donation, you’ll automatically receive an email with the photos ready to download.
Go to the fundraiser
Stories
Part of the exhibition “Water mark” are the stories of residents from towns affected by the flood. We met them during our work, and they shared with us their memories from September 2024 and the months of rebuilding. These stories are a testament to tremendous strength, solidarity, and attachment to their home. The photographs were taken by Alicja Ryś (Polish Humanitarian Action).
Go to the Stories
Usually everyone is focused on their own business. But then we were all together
Report on PAH’s activities
Since September 2024, we have reached nearly 30,000 people in 101 towns with our assistance! In the first months, we focused on delivering essential supplies, but our aid has grown into long-term support: helping rebuild and repair private homes and public institutions, providing psychological assistance, and offering extensive support for children. On PAH’s website, we present a report summarizing our activities.
About exhibition
Explore the exhibition project WATER MARK
Photographs: Aleksander Małachowski, Alicja Ryś
Curator: Alicja Ryś
Exhibition design: Julia Parfiniewicz
Texts: Anna Derwich-Kołodziej, Magdalena Irzycka, Helena Krajewska, Paula Langnerowicz, Natalia Makulska, Alicja Ryś, Magdalena Żarnawska
Editing and proofreading: Helena Krajewska
Website: Anna Derwich-Kołodziej
Translations: Lingua Lab
Organizer: Polska Akcja Humanitarna
