Major Family Archive

collection Major Family Archive
authors Bogdan Major; Lech Szumigaj
starring Bogdan Major; Joanna Major; Maria Major; Tomasz Major; Wojciech Szemryk; Anna Szumigaj; Alicja Szumigaj; Bartłomiej Szumigaj; Elżbieta Szumigaj; Lech Szumigaj; Lidia Walczak; Łucja Walczak; Witold Walczak; Janusz Wójcik; Renata Wójcik; Agnieszka Zarzycka; Stanisław Zarzycki
length 13'26
country Poland
locations Gdańsk, Poland  Pelplin, Poland  Wąglikowice, Poland  Sępólno Krajeńskie, Poland  Kościerzyna, Poland 
year 1978; 1980
format S8 mm
color color
signature PAFD 0028 002
description

The author of the film is Bogdan Major (born in 1945), who, after graduating from the Faculty of Electronics at the Warsaw University of Technology, worked professionally as an electronics engineer in semiconductor technology in Toruń. From an early age he was interested in photography, and during his studies he was involved with the “Stodoła” Film Production Club, the “Kwant” Film Discussion Club, student radio broadcasters and, together with his wife Maria, the Literary Section of Radio Maryja. Bogdan bought his first camera after university to document family and social life. Maria’s brother-in-law Lech Szumigaj is also the author of some of the films or parts of them.

Films made in 1987 and 1980. 

Part 1 

The Major and Szumigaj families spend time at the Oasis of Families in Wąglikowice in Kashubia. Bartek Szumigaj (son of Lech and Elżbieta) rides a horse with the farmer’s daughter. The boy’s mother can also be seen in the courtyard with her younger daughter Alicja. Participants in the oasis trip take part in the Way of the Cross walking along the surrounding country roads and by the Wdzydze Lake.

Part 2

Meeting on the occasion of Community Day in Koscierzyna. Gathered oasis participants are listening to their testimonies and singing together. Elżbieta is walking in the company of the Wójcik family – Renata and Janusz with their two children. Elżbieta with her son Bartek and the Wójcik family is leaving the wooden church. 

Part 3 

A film made during the visit of Pope John Paul II to Pelplin in 1987. Shots of the papal altar and the gathered faithful.

Part 4 

Film shot during the visit of John Paul II to Gdańsk Zaspa on 12 June 1987. Shots of the faithful, as well as the surrounding blocks of flats and the characteristic altar in the shape of a ship by Marian Kołodziej. Elżbieta and her daughter Ania are walking by a block of flats with a mural dedicated to the Pope’s visit, later posing to the camera against the altar with Agnieszka Zarzycka and Lech’s friend from school days, Wojciech Szemryk. Shots of blocks and murals. 

The family together with Stanislaw Zarzycki is taking a walk in the forest.

Part 5

Winter, around 1980. Elżbieta and her children are walking in the forest in Sępólno Krajeńskie. Bartek, Ala and Ania are playing in the snow and throwing snowballs. 

Part 6 

Easter of 1980. Elżbieta, Bartek and Ala together with Łucja Walczak (Elżbieta’s mother), Witek and Lidia Walczak (Elżbieta’s brother and wife) and their children, Rafał and Ola, search for Easter nests according the tradition. Family members show the found gift packages to the camera. 

(AT)

keywords John Paul II  pope  pilgrimage  housing estate  blocks of flats  mural  Oasis  Light-Life Movement  religion  family  prayer  crowd  faithful  altar  ship  Easter  forest  spring  winter  snow  play  child  childhood  family life  religious life 
source of funding Ministry of Culture and National Heritage