{"id":989,"date":"2025-06-17T22:02:42","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T14:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/?p=989"},"modified":"2026-05-18T23:26:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T15:26:22","slug":"gdansk-impression-by-miss-fiona-wong-division-of-arts-and-languages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/blog\/2025\/06\/17\/gdansk-impression-by-miss-fiona-wong-division-of-arts-and-languages\/","title":{"rendered":"Gda\u0144sk Impression &#8212; by Miss Fiona Wong, Division of Arts and Languages"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"fb-root\"><\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Keywords:<\/strong> Gda\u0144sk, Poland, Danzig, lyrical essay, travel notes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Accepted:<\/strong> May 31, 2025; <strong>Published online:<\/strong> June 17, 2025; <strong>Published:<\/strong> June 27, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"981\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG01.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG01.png 981w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG01-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG01-768x509.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 981px) 100vw, 981px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">On a chilly, overcast, early summer afternoon, you arrived at the Gda\u0144sk Old Town like a modern reader opening a book of Polish folklore. Lined with Brick Gothic architecture, the streets were empty with just a handful of sole travelers dawdling in and out of the well-lit souvenir shops, while the rest of the windows remained silent in shadows. You carefully examined the closed curtains, and you thought you heard murmurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"989\" height=\"656\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG02.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-992\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG02.png 989w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG02-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG02-768x509.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 989px) 100vw, 989px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"988\" height=\"655\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG03.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-993\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG03.png 988w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG03-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG03-768x509.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 988px) 100vw, 988px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">You wondered if a witch had lived in that room with the arched window, or if that old dark attic had once housed a vampire. You could almost feel it \u2013 the weight, the history. But the city seemed oddly quiet, as if conspiring to deny your senses. Your bags felt like they were dragging on the ground, and you squinted your eyes, trying to see clearly. The restaurants, closed. The park benches, vacant. You looked to the sidewalk where there should be street vendors, nothing. The path seemed to extend infinitely as Gda\u0144sk stayed perfectly still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1011\" height=\"670\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG04.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG04.png 1011w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG04-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG04-768x509.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1011px) 100vw, 1011px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">The sun was setting, and you had to find your lodging. Hurry! \u2013 you must find your way by nightfall, before they were conjured. You hastened, fearing you might not have much time. The town dimmed to a murky grey. The church bell rang. You looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1014\" height=\"672\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG05.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-996\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG05.png 1014w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG05-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG05-768x509.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1014px) 100vw, 1014px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">The sky came alive with crows that have long watched over this zone. Bars and diners lit up. You saw figures pouring out from the church into the shaded alleys. There was a breeze, you thought. The carousel by the seaside started spinning. Horses and carriages moved forward in circles, like destiny, taking anyone who was willing. In an archaic glow, the world quickened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"964\" height=\"639\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG06.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-997\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG06.png 964w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG06-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG06-768x509.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 964px) 100vw, 964px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"956\" height=\"634\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG07.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-998\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG07.png 956w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG07-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG07-768x509.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 956px) 100vw, 956px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"937\" height=\"621\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG08.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-999\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG08.png 937w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG08-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG08-768x509.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 937px) 100vw, 937px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Now you knew where to go. Gda\u0144sk had let you in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"950\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG09.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG09.png 950w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG09-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/V3_FionaWong_PNG09-768x509.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Keywords: Gda\u0144sk, Poland, Danzig, lyrical essay, travel notes Accepted: May 31, 2025; Published online: June 17, 2025; Published: June 27, 2025 On a chilly, overcast, early&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/989"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=989"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/989\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1059,"href":"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/989\/revisions\/1059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=989"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk\/the-punctum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}