Vodka

Poland has long been associated with quality vodka, and as such it makes a perfect last-minute gift to anyone but children and alcoholics. Most foreigners will opt for a bottle of Żubrowka, a unique Polish concoction hailing from the eastern plains. Each bottle contains a blade of grass, allegedly ‘fertilised’ with bison urine, and the drink is ideally served chilled and with a dash of apple juice. The local firewater, Goldwasser, is equally recommended. A thick, sweetish vodka containing ultra-thin flakes of gold, Goldwasser has been distilled in Gdańsk for several hundred years and the one-time Goldwasser distillery, Pod Łososiem, is still alive and functioning as one of the most exclusive restaurants in the area. Of note, the Goldwasser restaurant sells special gift sets containing two souvenir glasses and a bottle of the vodka.

Solidarity

With Gdańsk recently celebrating the anniversary of the landmark Solidarity strikes you can find many stalls and gift shops selling souvenir t-shirts, mugs and the like. Alternatively check out the kiosk at the famous #2 Gate or the Roads to Freedom exhibition (see Sightseeing).

Books

Historian, journalist, local resident and since October Prime Minister Donald Tusk, has written a number of books about the Tri-City. Although only available in Polish and German the books are a great gift to anyone with a fleeting fascination in the region. With titles focussing on Gdańsk, Sopot and Wrzeszcz they are a marvellous black and white photo essay documenting life and architecture in the Tri-City before, during and in the immediate aftermath of WWII. The pick of the bunch has to be the Był Sobie Gdańsk (There used to be a Gdańsk) series. Retailing at around 50zł you can pick up copies from bookstores, souvenir shops and branches of EMPiK. Contrasting dramatically but just as fascinating for Gdansksian and non-Gdanskians alike is a book published by local photographer Maciej Kosycarz.

The book entitled Niezwykłe zwykłe zdjecia (Unusual Ordinary Photos) is a collection of photos taken by his father and then he during the period 1945 – 2007. The Kosycarzs arrived in the city like much of the current population at the end of the war. They were part of the generation that re-built and re-settled the city after the destruction of 39-45 and Kosycarz senior captured the years of communist rule superbly through his picture of the ordinary moments in life. Our favourite is the one of Castro visiting the city to huge acclaim. For residents of the city during this time these pictures must bring back memories but even for non-Poles they still provide a fascinating insight to everyday life not only in Gdansk but in the whole of the Eastern Bloc.

Kashubian handicrafts

The Kashubian people have lived in the region for centuries and have preserved their historical woodwork, forestry and craft skills. Potential gifts to keep an eye out for include Kashubian folk art, pottery, glassware and floral tablecloths. Find them in the Cepelia shops around town.