At the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries, the premises of the current Roztocze National Park were still reportedly the habitat of last wild forest horses, the tarpans, which were held in the Zamojski family estate in the so-called “zwierzyniec" (animal park) near Zamość. Unfortunately, the species became extinct soon after. Given the history, the Polish Pony was brought to the Roztocze National Park in 1982, becoming the Park’s symbol. Paweł Marczaskowski’s photos show the moments from everyday life of the Polish Ponies kept in the Roztocze National Park’s sanctuary.
Paweł Marczakowski’s connections with the Roztocze National Park and the Roztocze Region go back to 1981. A passionate ornithologist, photographer and wild nature enthusiast, he is also a member of the Lublin Ornithologist Society, Zamość Nature Society, Polish Society for Bird Protection and Polish Nature Photographers Association. He collaborates with numerous institutions and organizations devoted to the research and protection of birds. He is the author and co-author of many studies on the ornithofauna of the region. Never parted from his camera during field trips, he documents the beauty of the surrounding nature. He take photos not only of the landscape, but also of the world of fungi, plants and animals. His photos can be found in materials published by the Roztocze National Park as well as in albums and magazines on nature. He is the author of an album titled "W krainie jodły, buka i tarpana” (In the Land of Firs, Beech Trees and Tarpans). Marczakowski has taken part in several individual and collective exhibitions, both in Poland and abroad.
The exhibition is held as part of the 40th anniversary of the Roztocze National Park and the 10th anniversary of the Roztocze and Podkarpacie Branch of the Polish Nature Photographers Association. It is co-organized by the Zamość Nature Society.