The Scent of a Dissapearing City. A Scent Workshop with Tomasz Rybka

Every scent has its own story… and every story has its own scent.

• How do we remember the past?
• Why do some details become deeply embedded in our memory, while others slip away so easily?
• What makes memories suddenly come flooding back?

History—both with a capital H and the small, personal kind—lives on not only in old photographs and family stories. The past has its own scent.

Scents carry emotions and experiences; they are inextricably linked to the events they represent. They serve as a bridge between what is and what was.

During the workshop, we will explore together the role specific scents play in the history of our city and in our own personal histories. Using the Proust effect, we will create our own scented candles with a unique, historical fragrance, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the past, just like the protagonist of *In Search of Lost Time*.

It certainly won’t be time wasted!

The workshop will be led by Tomasz Rybka—a historian, guide at the Zajezdnia History Center, and popularizer of Wrocław’s history.

Workshop agenda:

1. Introduction: scent as a tool for storytelling

• At the beginning of the session, you will learn how scents are used today to reconstruct and interpret the past. We will discuss what aromas accompanied old Wrocław and what role they played in the lives of its residents. The introductory part will be complemented by a presentation of selected “scent exhibits.”

Duration: approx. 25 minutes

2. “Olfactostory” exercise – scents and memories

• In the second part of the workshop, we will smell a set of vials containing everyday scents. Together, we will try to describe them, name the sensations, and find associations with other senses. Each person will be encouraged to connect a given aroma with a personal memory—using the so-called Proust effect, or the ability of a scent to instantly evoke memories and emotions. This is a moment for a casual conversation about how scents shape our own stories.

Duration: approx. 20 minutes

3. Creating your own scented candles inspired by the past

• In the hands-on part of the workshop, you will make your own scented candles designed to capture the atmosphere of memories or times gone by. You can mix the ingredients yourself, guided by your imagination, or use pre-prepared recipes inspired by historical aromas.

Materials available will include jars, wax, wicks, and various essential oils.

Duration: approx. 45 minutes