Buda Family Archive

Zygmunt Buda was born in Poznań in 1924 and was interested in photography since his childhood. From 1941, he worked in the Poznań photographic company Foto-Stewner, founded by Ernest Stewner. After the end of the war, he worked as a photographer in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, from which, in the 50s, he was dismissed for political incorrectness. From the 60s, he worked in the Film Services Department at the corner of Marszałkowska and Krucza streets in Warsaw. Zygmunt recorded films with a business camera with a 16-millimeter tape and a private SANYO camera with an 8-millimeter tape, which he received as a gift from a family living in the USA. His sons, Jacek and Marek, as well as the next generations of the Buda family, also became enthusiasts of filming family life.
The film was made by Jacek Buda in 1990. 
Part 1
Katarzyna and Zygmunt Buda together with their grandchildren (Ania and Paweł) (the children of Marek, Jacek’s brother) and Piotrek (Jacek’s son) walk on the beach in Krynica Morska. Children play on fishing boats by the shore. The family visits the Jarociński family (the daughter of Katarzyna’s sister with her husband and son) in the holiday resort Murena. Piotrek and Daniel play in front of a camping house. Grandparents also take their grandchildren to a restaurant for their favorite flounder. Ania, Paweł, Piotrek and Daniel spend time on the beach – they build sand castles, swim in the sea and look for amber with Zygmunt. The Buda family is also accompanied by uncle Bogdan Sobol. Apart from the fun time on the beach, there is no shortage of other attractions, such as a trip to the carousel on the Vistula Lagoon, archery at the ZNP scout center, a game of billiards or “wedding with the sea” with the participation of Neptune. Adults also organize treasure hunting for children. Piotrek and Paweł find a letter and a map on the beach in a bottle from Captain Owl, who gives the boys instructions on where to look for the hidden pirate treasure. Following the instructions, Piotrek and Paweł under the cover of night dig a hole on the beach in the indicated place and find a treasure chest. Children feed seagulls on the beach and fly a kite together with their grandparents. 
Part 2 
An account of Piotrek’s first day at the primary school at Fundamentowa Street in Warsaw. On the way to school, the boy is accompanied by his grandmother (Kasia), his grandfather (Zygmunt) and his parents. Piotrek, together with other children, takes part in the ceremonial opening of the school year in the gymnasium, and later participates in a meeting with his form teacher in the classroom. The next day, Irmina picks up her son from school, and Jacek films their way to the block of flats from the balcony of the apartment. After returning home, Piotrek does his homework for the first time. 
Part 3 
A family walk through the autumn Royal Baths Park in Warsaw. Piotrek and his mother feed squirrels, then he dances on the stage of the amphitheater and makes faces in front of the camera. 
Part 4 
Piotrek, together with other children, takes part in the vows of students of the first grade. 
Part 5 
In October, the family celebrates the first birthday of Michał Buda (Marek and Romana’s son). The birthday party was attended by the closest family of the little birthday boy – Ania, Paweł, Piotrek, Daniel, grandparents (Kasia and Zygmunt), Maria Koszewska (the boy’s maternal grandmother), aunt Jasia, uncle Bogdan Sobol and parents. 

(AT)