Agata Tumiłowicz-Mazur
@agatumilowicz.bsky.social
Scholar & Writer ✍🏻
Ph.D. NYU Comparative Literature
I write on archive, nature, memory, and layers of Polish, Jewish and German heritage in my native Lower Silesia.
Words in The Brooklyn Rail, Triangle House Review, CEU Review of Books, Apofenie, etc
Ph.D. NYU Comparative Literature
I write on archive, nature, memory, and layers of Polish, Jewish and German heritage in my native Lower Silesia.
Words in The Brooklyn Rail, Triangle House Review, CEU Review of Books, Apofenie, etc
Pinned
I am part of the 2nd generation born in the so-called "Recovered Territories"– formerly German lands that are now part of Poland.
In the spirit of Lower Silesian pride, I'd like to give you an idea of what it means to live surrounded by traces of a foreign population.
🧵🗃️
In the spirit of Lower Silesian pride, I'd like to give you an idea of what it means to live surrounded by traces of a foreign population.
🧵🗃️
Talked with my grandpa on the phone and got the usual “back in my days… the winters were colder” kind of thing. The tricky part is, he was born in 1925 🥶
How can I compete with THAT?!
How can I compete with THAT?!
January 22, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Talked with my grandpa on the phone and got the usual “back in my days… the winters were colder” kind of thing. The tricky part is, he was born in 1925 🥶
How can I compete with THAT?!
How can I compete with THAT?!
Timeline cleanse with some shots from today’s beautiful day in the Karkonosze.
I hope everyone can get a break from the news from time to time and enjoy a much-needed beauty breather ✨
I hope everyone can get a break from the news from time to time and enjoy a much-needed beauty breather ✨
January 5, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Timeline cleanse with some shots from today’s beautiful day in the Karkonosze.
I hope everyone can get a break from the news from time to time and enjoy a much-needed beauty breather ✨
I hope everyone can get a break from the news from time to time and enjoy a much-needed beauty breather ✨
I took this picture last night, completely blown away, thinking this place looked like a portal to a different world. I realized this is how I spent my year - looking for the unexpected in the familiar. I hope next year brings you much of that too: surprising beauty in the everyday. Happy 2026!
December 31, 2025 at 10:46 AM
I took this picture last night, completely blown away, thinking this place looked like a portal to a different world. I realized this is how I spent my year - looking for the unexpected in the familiar. I hope next year brings you much of that too: surprising beauty in the everyday. Happy 2026!
Temporal clashes in architecture - what do we think? I know, like nails on a chalkboard, they make us feel rather nauseous, but lately I’ve been drawn to them.
That’s one of my faves, you’ve seen it before, the clash of German classical architecture and Polish 1970s. A cocktail like no other!
That’s one of my faves, you’ve seen it before, the clash of German classical architecture and Polish 1970s. A cocktail like no other!
December 29, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Temporal clashes in architecture - what do we think? I know, like nails on a chalkboard, they make us feel rather nauseous, but lately I’ve been drawn to them.
That’s one of my faves, you’ve seen it before, the clash of German classical architecture and Polish 1970s. A cocktail like no other!
That’s one of my faves, you’ve seen it before, the clash of German classical architecture and Polish 1970s. A cocktail like no other!
Merry Christmas! Here’s a single traditional dish that survived the family’s move from the Eastern Borderlands: śliżyki.
I used to think that our 🎄dishes were all traditional, then I found out my grandma single-handedly designed our menu from scratch.
Śliżyki then are like a whisper from their past.
I used to think that our 🎄dishes were all traditional, then I found out my grandma single-handedly designed our menu from scratch.
Śliżyki then are like a whisper from their past.
December 25, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Merry Christmas! Here’s a single traditional dish that survived the family’s move from the Eastern Borderlands: śliżyki.
I used to think that our 🎄dishes were all traditional, then I found out my grandma single-handedly designed our menu from scratch.
Śliżyki then are like a whisper from their past.
I used to think that our 🎄dishes were all traditional, then I found out my grandma single-handedly designed our menu from scratch.
Śliżyki then are like a whisper from their past.
Old and well-worn, but sturdy and lasting. They were around for more than eighty years, welcoming the footsteps of both German and Polish people. These small bridges between past and present always make my heart beat a lil’ bit faster.
Come walk with me on the tiles of the ”Recovered Territories”.
Come walk with me on the tiles of the ”Recovered Territories”.
December 14, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Old and well-worn, but sturdy and lasting. They were around for more than eighty years, welcoming the footsteps of both German and Polish people. These small bridges between past and present always make my heart beat a lil’ bit faster.
Come walk with me on the tiles of the ”Recovered Territories”.
Come walk with me on the tiles of the ”Recovered Territories”.
Along with the German objects we found in our attic, there was this notebook, a remnant of a Polish settler.
I don't know who Mania, its owner, was, but she must have lived in my house. So we are, in some way, connected.
I don't know who Mania, its owner, was, but she must have lived in my house. So we are, in some way, connected.
November 27, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Along with the German objects we found in our attic, there was this notebook, a remnant of a Polish settler.
I don't know who Mania, its owner, was, but she must have lived in my house. So we are, in some way, connected.
I don't know who Mania, its owner, was, but she must have lived in my house. So we are, in some way, connected.
If cemeteries create a community of both the living and the dead, what happens when the living get displaced?
Case in point: German cemeteries in the PL "Recovered Lands."
All Saints' Day is a good day to reflect on what happens to memory in the absence of those who remember.
🧵(not an easy read)
Case in point: German cemeteries in the PL "Recovered Lands."
All Saints' Day is a good day to reflect on what happens to memory in the absence of those who remember.
🧵(not an easy read)
November 1, 2025 at 10:01 AM
If cemeteries create a community of both the living and the dead, what happens when the living get displaced?
Case in point: German cemeteries in the PL "Recovered Lands."
All Saints' Day is a good day to reflect on what happens to memory in the absence of those who remember.
🧵(not an easy read)
Case in point: German cemeteries in the PL "Recovered Lands."
All Saints' Day is a good day to reflect on what happens to memory in the absence of those who remember.
🧵(not an easy read)
Today, Lower Silesia celebrates 15 years as a voivodeship and, as they put it, 80 years of ‘postwar Lower Silesia.’ Whatever the occasion, just wanted to relaunch my posting with this photo from around 8 years ago. That’s exactly when my research started — and so did my layered love for the region.
October 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Today, Lower Silesia celebrates 15 years as a voivodeship and, as they put it, 80 years of ‘postwar Lower Silesia.’ Whatever the occasion, just wanted to relaunch my posting with this photo from around 8 years ago. That’s exactly when my research started — and so did my layered love for the region.
Hiii there! It’s been a while. Just wanted to say I’ve been busy writing and putting my research out to public differently. Yesterday I had a pleasure to present a paper in my hometown, and next week I will take part in a debate in Warsaw. But if you miss some Lower Silesian posts, let me know!💛🖤
October 1, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Hiii there! It’s been a while. Just wanted to say I’ve been busy writing and putting my research out to public differently. Yesterday I had a pleasure to present a paper in my hometown, and next week I will take part in a debate in Warsaw. But if you miss some Lower Silesian posts, let me know!💛🖤
It’s always weirdly moving for me to depart or arrive at this train station. It’s where my grandparents and great-grandma got off exactly 80 years ago, to restart their lives in the shapeshifting postwar Poland. Seeing this sign, the first thing they must have seen, was especially eerie.
August 31, 2025 at 11:52 AM
It’s always weirdly moving for me to depart or arrive at this train station. It’s where my grandparents and great-grandma got off exactly 80 years ago, to restart their lives in the shapeshifting postwar Poland. Seeing this sign, the first thing they must have seen, was especially eerie.
How many dust particles are you away from Copernicus? Well.
In this episode of “crazy traces in the attics”, let me present a hanger. It taught me about Moritz Leiser’s late 19th century department store in Toruń. Apparently, it was located in a building owned in the past by…Copernicus’ parents.
In this episode of “crazy traces in the attics”, let me present a hanger. It taught me about Moritz Leiser’s late 19th century department store in Toruń. Apparently, it was located in a building owned in the past by…Copernicus’ parents.
August 29, 2025 at 11:20 AM
How many dust particles are you away from Copernicus? Well.
In this episode of “crazy traces in the attics”, let me present a hanger. It taught me about Moritz Leiser’s late 19th century department store in Toruń. Apparently, it was located in a building owned in the past by…Copernicus’ parents.
In this episode of “crazy traces in the attics”, let me present a hanger. It taught me about Moritz Leiser’s late 19th century department store in Toruń. Apparently, it was located in a building owned in the past by…Copernicus’ parents.
Prewar tiles, layers and years of paint peeling off - of course I got excited.
August 29, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Prewar tiles, layers and years of paint peeling off - of course I got excited.
He did it!
My awesome grandpa turned 100 today!
He got congratulatory letters from the Polish Prime minister, Lower Silesian Voivode, a visit from the city Mayor, and he’s happy as a clam!
My awesome grandpa turned 100 today!
He got congratulatory letters from the Polish Prime minister, Lower Silesian Voivode, a visit from the city Mayor, and he’s happy as a clam!
August 26, 2025 at 12:26 PM
He did it!
My awesome grandpa turned 100 today!
He got congratulatory letters from the Polish Prime minister, Lower Silesian Voivode, a visit from the city Mayor, and he’s happy as a clam!
My awesome grandpa turned 100 today!
He got congratulatory letters from the Polish Prime minister, Lower Silesian Voivode, a visit from the city Mayor, and he’s happy as a clam!
Good morning from an early 20th century hike, I suppose. Yet another glitch in the space-time continuum.
August 25, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Good morning from an early 20th century hike, I suppose. Yet another glitch in the space-time continuum.
Happy to report my hometown embraced its German past - at least on postcards.
August 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Happy to report my hometown embraced its German past - at least on postcards.
Took a break from bluesky to clear my head but now, going through the archive left on my attic, I can’t help but share these stamps I found: the big ones from 1946 portray the WWII destruction of Warsaw, the small ones are commemorating the 1948 Exhibition of the Recovered Territories. Nerdy finds!
August 11, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Took a break from bluesky to clear my head but now, going through the archive left on my attic, I can’t help but share these stamps I found: the big ones from 1946 portray the WWII destruction of Warsaw, the small ones are commemorating the 1948 Exhibition of the Recovered Territories. Nerdy finds!
Let’s normalize traveling out of Poland with a proper ring of kiełbasa! 🙏🏻
July 16, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Let’s normalize traveling out of Poland with a proper ring of kiełbasa! 🙏🏻
Unrelated, but I simply need to say it: Polish Roztocze is a fantastic place 😍
July 15, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Unrelated, but I simply need to say it: Polish Roztocze is a fantastic place 😍
My aunt texts me, a little alarmed:
”I thought the Germans came back!”
Phew, there’s something to be said about movies being made in the formerly German lands. You think you’re putting a set design, but you’re reopening a troublesome timeline instead 😅
”I thought the Germans came back!”
Phew, there’s something to be said about movies being made in the formerly German lands. You think you’re putting a set design, but you’re reopening a troublesome timeline instead 😅
July 14, 2025 at 5:34 PM
My aunt texts me, a little alarmed:
”I thought the Germans came back!”
Phew, there’s something to be said about movies being made in the formerly German lands. You think you’re putting a set design, but you’re reopening a troublesome timeline instead 😅
”I thought the Germans came back!”
Phew, there’s something to be said about movies being made in the formerly German lands. You think you’re putting a set design, but you’re reopening a troublesome timeline instead 😅
Me:
*Goes to southeastern Poland to take a break, turn off her brain and not think about the Polish-German layers of history, formerly-German objects, etc.*
Also me:
* immediately finds a cutting board with the prewar image of Gleiwitz (Gliwice)*
Can’t untrain the eye, can I.
*Goes to southeastern Poland to take a break, turn off her brain and not think about the Polish-German layers of history, formerly-German objects, etc.*
Also me:
* immediately finds a cutting board with the prewar image of Gleiwitz (Gliwice)*
Can’t untrain the eye, can I.
July 13, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Me:
*Goes to southeastern Poland to take a break, turn off her brain and not think about the Polish-German layers of history, formerly-German objects, etc.*
Also me:
* immediately finds a cutting board with the prewar image of Gleiwitz (Gliwice)*
Can’t untrain the eye, can I.
*Goes to southeastern Poland to take a break, turn off her brain and not think about the Polish-German layers of history, formerly-German objects, etc.*
Also me:
* immediately finds a cutting board with the prewar image of Gleiwitz (Gliwice)*
Can’t untrain the eye, can I.
Everybody knows Polish pierogi🥟 🥟🥟
Have you ever heard of a buckwheat pieróg though? Popular around Lublin and Zamość, this dish is made of buckwheat groats, farmers cheese and potatoes, baked in a yeast-based dough. Typically served with kefir. Delish!
Have you ever heard of a buckwheat pieróg though? Popular around Lublin and Zamość, this dish is made of buckwheat groats, farmers cheese and potatoes, baked in a yeast-based dough. Typically served with kefir. Delish!
July 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Everybody knows Polish pierogi🥟 🥟🥟
Have you ever heard of a buckwheat pieróg though? Popular around Lublin and Zamość, this dish is made of buckwheat groats, farmers cheese and potatoes, baked in a yeast-based dough. Typically served with kefir. Delish!
Have you ever heard of a buckwheat pieróg though? Popular around Lublin and Zamość, this dish is made of buckwheat groats, farmers cheese and potatoes, baked in a yeast-based dough. Typically served with kefir. Delish!
When the dress code is “business casual”.
Poles:
Poles:
July 11, 2025 at 6:22 PM
When the dress code is “business casual”.
Poles:
Poles:
I’m sure you’re familiar with the most famous Polish tongue twister - “W Szczebrzeszynie chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie." But did you know that in the main square of Szczebrzeszyn, a giant, anthropomorphic longhorn beetle is actually buzzing in the reed? 🥲
July 11, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I’m sure you’re familiar with the most famous Polish tongue twister - “W Szczebrzeszynie chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie." But did you know that in the main square of Szczebrzeszyn, a giant, anthropomorphic longhorn beetle is actually buzzing in the reed? 🥲
Just a few Polish windows in the summer for you.
July 10, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Just a few Polish windows in the summer for you.