Poland - where people and nature coexist- had been always my favorite country to visit. Thanks to the connection with the artists I respect, I had visited the country for many times. Ever since the Great East Japan Earthquake damaged Japan; however, I got busy with my charity work and didn’t even dare to think about visiting the county again. Nevertheless, God didn’t forget me.

It started with the invitation to Warsaw for the memorial event of “Japan-Poland 100th anniversary”.
Revisiting the country, the reunion with friends was beyond description.

A week in Warsaw passed by in seconds like it was a dream. Not only hosting Hospital Art Program at the mental hospital, I also got invited to a conference where I gave a presentation about hospital art. The conference was held at a beautiful place which used to be a castle. The squirrels at the garden welcomed us.

After displaying our exhibits, we also enjoyed the another exhibition and the piano concert, listening to the Chopin. And finally, my dream of revisiting Józef Wilkoń came true. This trip not just gave me a chance to see and understand people and the country in a different context, but was a sentimental journey to reconnect myself with the Polish culture.

Szpital Tworkowski (Tworkowski Hospital), where Happy Doll Project was held, is 68 hectares big surrounded by a forest and it even has a park. There animals like fox and squirrels lived, and the hospital was filled with warm atmosphere.  Just being there I felt accepted and comfortable. I could see how a mental hospital should be. There at the project, people with schizophrenia expressed themselves freely as they liked through art.  Being honest with ourselves and expressing ourselves as we want through creation is a source of happiness to anyone.

People often look uneasy or lacking in the vitality when the program starts, but they all leave with big smiles in the end.
Seeing this all in NY, RSA, and this time in Poland, I strongly feel that there is no borders to people when they face one’s fate and fight against or live with the disease and disability.

Overall, revisiting Poland was an amazing journey. It was not long enough, but enough to describe it wonderful. Stating with the invitation to Warsaw I never expected, my trip was full of surprises and nice meetings. When I was welcomed at Józef Wilkoń’s home and enjoyed his amazing works, I never knew I’d see his wooden “Merry-go-round” again after 10 years. The miracle happened at the exhibition in the course of conference where I also got reunited with the merciful priest. 

Most amazingly, Józef came to see me again at the end when I’m leaving. It was the best surprise.
If I have to describe this journey in one word, that’s definitely “Fantastic !”, like Józef often says. 
Let me finish my comment with it as I can easily recall him saying in my mind  -Fantastic !