Kubalonka, mountain pass dividing Wisła and Istebna in Poland, on Oct 04, 2023.
In the Beskidy Mts, the coexistence of two Polands, one liberal, the other conservative. The city of Wilsa tends to vote Democrat, while its neighbor Istebna votes for the ruling conservatives. In this rural region in the south of the country, the improved living standards tend to overshadow the bitter struggle between the two camps before the parliamentary elections.
Łucja Michałek-Chudecka, mayor of Istebna, Poland, at her office on Oct 05, 2023. She is running for parliament with PiS (Law and Justice, the ruling conservative party). Single mother since 19, she appreciates the amount of social expenditures PiS government has been known for. She is a Catholic, much like 90% of Istebna residents. Religion remains an important part of local identity.
Andrzej Pilch, 71, sheep farmer and local enterpreneur in Wisła, Poland, on Oct 03, 2023.
Weekly grocery market in Wisła, Poland, on Oct 04, 2023, with Evangelical church in the background. Evangelical Christians constitute about 60% of local residents, with about 30% Catholics and 10% of other denominations, mostly Protestant. Religion remains an important part of local identity.
Men at work in Walerian Zawada's sawmill in Istebna, Poland, on Oct 05, 2023. Forestry and timber production is an important part of local economy.
Walerian Zawada, sawmill co-owner, at his office in Istebna, Poland, on Oct 05, 2023. Forestry and timber production is an important part of local economy.
Mountain bike trails and skiing infrastructure outside Złoty Groń hotel in Istebna, Poland, on Oct 04, 2023.
Jan Kędzior, local enterpreneur, farmer and member of Evangelical Church in Wisła, Poland, on Oct 03, 2023. Evangelical Christians constitute about 60% of local residents, with about 30% Catholics and 10% of other denominations, mostly Protestant. Religion remains an important part of local identity.
Piotr, a sheep farmer at Andrzej Pilch's property in Wisła, Poland, on Oct 04, 2023. Sheep herding allows for local meat and cheese production and often makes for supplementary income.
Sheep at Andrzej Pilch's pasture in Wisła, Poland, on Oct 04, 2023. Sheep herding allows for local meat and cheese production and often makes for supplementary income.
Józef Michałek, coordinator of sheep pastoralism in Polish Carpathians, photographed in traditional sheperd's coat in Istebna, Poland, on Oct 04, 2023.