The initiative was entirely created by a group of people from Warsaw ’ s Mokotów neighbourhood . The only assistance provided by the Warsaw authorities was a bin , three benches , and a portable toilet .
Brunon has been spending entire days at Puławska Street since joining the volunteers . When asked about his private life apart from the centre , Odolczyk laughs . “ With what , sorry ? There is really no such private life . I can leave at 9-10 am and stay until 1-2 am ,” Brunon says . “ We are open three days a week because it is impossible to do more . During the rest of the week , we try to make the place look encouraging for those who visit us . Private life ends where work begins .”
He later admits that his personal life has merged with his work at Puławska . And it has occurred as a result of the newly formed relationships . Brunon became really good friends with a 16-yearold boy , Vanya . When Vanya came to the centre for the first time , he was looking for some spring clothes and shoes . That day , he did not find any of them ,
but he did make a new friend . Vanya fled to Poland with his mother , siblings , and girlfriend — eight people in total .
“ They travelled for three days to Warsaw , 18 people in a compartment , slept on the floor . No food , they were sparing the water to survive until the end . His girlfriend left her mother and blind grandfather in Ukraine ,” says Brunon . Despite this traumatic experience , Vanya started looking for jobs as soon as he came to Poland . Because he still attends remote classes at school in Ukraine and does not speak great Polish or English , the job could not be full-time and had to be suitable to his needs . “ I asked Vanya what he could do . He turned out to be an artist who paints fantastically with watercolours ,” says Brunon . “ I thought he should paint and I will sell it .” Five pieces were sold instantly .
When Vanya is painting newly discovered Polish landscapes , Albina is getting used to the sound of her new guitar in Belgium . Life has forced so many people to relocate , but their souls continue to find solace in art .
War pragmatism keeps people alive , but it is the art that keeps them sane .
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