TITLE: Journey to Hollyness

Once a year - on jorcajt - the anniversary of death of tzaddik, contemporary Hasidim travel to the grave of their tzaddik to study the Torah and pray. At the grave they often leave kwitlech - a note with requests, for Hasidim believe that on the anniversary of his death the tzadik's soul descends to earth and takes his prayers straight to God. For many of them it is a journey of a lifetime and a dream come true. It is also a logistic challenge for the towns visited - usually small ones towns that suddenly receive several hundred or several thousand Jewish pilgrims.

AUTHOR: Pawel Adamek (Poland)

Paweł Adamek, born in 1970, lives in Sucha Beskidzka (Poland).
Paweł Adamek is a photographer and photography educator working at the intersection of documentary practice and social observation. In his projects, he focuses on the human condition, interpersonal relationships, and emotions revealed in extreme or liminal situations. He is a student of Creative Photography at the Institute of Creative Photography, University of Silesia in Opava (Czech Republic).
A recipient of numerous awards and distinctions in international photography competitions, he has presented solo exhibitions in Poland and abroad. His practice has also been featured in the documentary series Fotohistorie (episode 6) broadcast on TVP Historia. Works as a freelancer.