Nerve 12 - Memoirs From Litherpole

Memoirs From Litherpole*

Patryk Bednarski is a photographer from the town of Kielce in Poland and has made regular contributions to Nerve. Here he puts his particular angle on the city, its culture and people.

My experience began three years ago. I had arrived into a city just chosen to be the Capital of Culture. Although I studied English extensively in Poland I had 'some' problems with understanding this particular dialect. But the more I have learned about the city and people, the easier it got.

I must admit that there was a significant culture shock when I first set my foot on the British soil. Many aspects of everyday life were different to what I have seen previously in Poland. Liverpool's soul, the essence it is driven by is quite diverse. An opportunity to meet some of the creative people in the early days of my adventure really showed me what this city is about. I am a photographer and therefore an evening 'gig' was the place of real life, passion and adrenaline. My early steps took me to places like Korova, Gallery 52 and a Nerve Night.

This in turn would give birth to the situations where I could exchange points of view on many subjects significant for Liverpudlians. And the magnificent wisdom these bore is not easy to state in such a short 'memoir'. But should I pick just a few of many encounters from the last three years I believe it would shed some light. For where else can one meet so diverse companions. Photographers: Bob and Maia, A South-African girl Karen, Rohit of India a few French friends (this is subliminal for french fries). It is a mixture of numerous backgrounds, and I can easily say that those ethnical differences had no negative impact. In fact I really enjoyed this opportunity, it was just like a tour around the world without moving an inch.

Moreover throughout this period of time I travelled beyond Liverpool . My journeysjouneys took me to Wales, The Lake District, York and a couple of other places. The city's location is, I believe, in tune with what I have experienced. In the middle, a central point, and some of Britain's most spectacular 'weekend recluses' are at hand. We all must admit having an urge every now and then to have a rest from urban life.

Of course there are always two sides of the medal. Writing about my stay in superlatives only would lead to a very lousy article at least. But rather than the problems in the city being uniquely of the city, I would consider them to have a source primarily in the way the United Kingdom is being governed. There is a major group of people oblivious of issues that can be seen every day. Ignorance is the cause of contemporary misery. I presume that you my dear reader, having the Nerve magazine in your hands at the moment, are capable of independent, deep analysis of the situation. Therefore I shall not bore you for too long. The way I perceive this phenomenon including the reasons for it to occur, as well as the preferred solution is such: Fear not the unknown or foreign. Investigate and analyse then if possible accept, if not at least make sure you are making a conscious decision.

*The Elizabethan name for Liverpool.

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