Polish highlanders, 2015

Their attitude to nature resembles the relationship between the leaf and the tree. Ultimate harmony and ultimate dependence. Highlanders believe that they had been created by the mountains, which forged their identity. They live for them, they live on them. This is a little appreciated phenomenon of contemporary Europe. Current trends promote uniformity. We adapt ourselves to others, convinced that after all, we are all the same. It seems absurd to me. We cannot be the same for we have no access to the same experiences.

THINGS THAT LAST puts the spotlight on man’s unique attitude to nature, but also on distinctiveness the highlanders have retained despite the terror of the general public. We may benefit from it, tapping into wisdom driven by unique experiences.