A small farmstead and the community around it in the Republic of Reka Dzielo

Tucked away in a little known corner of Poland lives the poet Piotr Romanowski. Piotr lives on a small-holding of about four hectares growing his own food and making cheese with the help of Butelka (Polish for bottle), mother to Bombona (Spanish for bottle) pictured here with Piotr. Piotr lives in a region lovingly known as the 'Republic of Reka Dzielo', which is a collective of artisans in a small pocket of Warmia.

'Reka Dzielo' is difficult to translate but is something close to Rekodzielo, meaning hand-made. The Republic of Reka Dzielo is a beautiful area with vibrant seasons, wonderful landscapes, friendly and creative people.

Among the artisans living together in this close and supportive community are mosaic artist Ania Bernaszewska, felt artisan Ula Raczak, lavender grower Asia Posoch, stone worker Pawel Pekalo, tatting designer Monika Pasnik-Petryczenko, theatre artists Johann and Malgorzata and art gallery owner Anna Gradzka.

Piotr and his partner Asia were married on their small-holding in a Vedic service by a Brahmin. A Brahmin is a member of the scholarly class of the traditional Hindu societies of India and Nepal.

Under Vedic Hindu traditions marriage is viewed as a lifelong commitment of one wife and one husband. A Vedic marriage ceremony, called the Vivaha, has many parts which include the man saying,

"May the breeze be sweet as honey; may the streams flow full of honey and may the herbs and plants be laden with honey for us."

Traditionally the ceremony includes the presentation of a cow to the groom. This was an opportunity for Butelka (Bottle) who was happy to eat the fruit used in the ceremony and lie in the spot where the couple were married.

Piotr, like others in the community, is passionate about living sustainably. His chicken house is an earthbag dome built in a workshop by Paulina of Earth Hands and Houses.



	Paulina teaching Earthbag building