http://www.lightstalkers.org/galleries/contact_sheet/29620 As one of the art historians counted: since the death of John Paul II in 2005, on average, every six days one statue of the late Pope is being unveiled in Poland (the most popular artist is working on the 72nd statue at the moment). ‘Popemania’ is not only an atypical cultural phenomenon. It is also - as many anthropologists and religiologists say - an interesting allegory of the Polish people's faith and worship. On one hand, this is one of the most religious European nations (above 90% people declare Catholicism, almost half of them attends to the Holy Mass every week), on the other hand this faith appears very superficial. There is a big discussion around the ‘Popemania’ in Poland: the Church emphasizes very often that Polish people love the late Pope, but his religious message is hardly known among the Polish Catholics who prefer kitschy devoted articles rather than reading his books and documents. Moreover, at the same time 1/3 of the interviewees pray to John Paul II although it is still officially prohibited by the Church. And last but not least, it is hard to find a laic person who reads what the late Pope wrote but everyone knows John Paul II's speech on his childhood and eating cream cakes (a novelty, 'the instant papal cakes' are advertised on the tv and they are superpopular). These days, when the Church beatifies John Paul II, the 'Popemania' phenomenon is especially worth to look at. http://www.lightstalkers.org en-us http://images.lightstalkers.org/avatars/16697/_MG_1391mini_small.jpg http://www.lightstalkers.org/Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208962/Papiez_na_strone_napo_001_small.JPG' /><br />Gliwice, Poland, March 4, 2011: Workers at the GZUT factory that specializes in making the bronze monuments, getting together pope John Paul 2 monument. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208962'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208962 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:29:13 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208962 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208962/Papiez_na_strone_napo_001_small.JPG' /><br />Gliwice, Poland, March 4, 2011: Workers at the GZUT factory that specializes in making the bronze monuments, getting together pope John Paul 2 monument. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208962'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208965/Papiez_na_strone_napo_002_small.JPG' /><br />Czestochowa, Poland, April 1, 2011: The pope John Paul 2 clay heads at the drying cabinet of BAMGIPS company making clay figures of the saints. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208965'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208965 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:30:16 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208965 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208965/Papiez_na_strone_napo_002_small.JPG' /><br />Czestochowa, Poland, April 1, 2011: The pope John Paul 2 clay heads at the drying cabinet of BAMGIPS company making clay figures of the saints. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208965'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208968/Papiez_na_strone_napo_003_small.JPG' /><br />Zdanow, Poland, March 31, 2011: Elderly woman by the pope John Paul 2 monument in Zdanow village, south-west Poland. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208968'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208968 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:30:35 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208968 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208968/Papiez_na_strone_napo_003_small.JPG' /><br />Zdanow, Poland, March 31, 2011: Elderly woman by the pope John Paul 2 monument in Zdanow village, south-west Poland. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208968'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208974/Papiez_na_strone_napo_004_small.JPG' /><br />Nowa Sol, Poland, March 30, 2011: The pope John Paul 2 figure in a catalogue of ROSLON, company making the resin garden figures. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208974'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208974 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:31:05 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208974 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208974/Papiez_na_strone_napo_004_small.JPG' /><br />Nowa Sol, Poland, March 30, 2011: The pope John Paul 2 figure in a catalogue of ROSLON, company making the resin garden figures. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208974'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208977/Papiez_na_strone_napo_005_small.JPG' /><br />Czestochowa, Poland, April 1, 2011: Pope John Paul 2 clay head held by Barbara Peczek of BAMGIPS company making clay figures of the saints. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208977'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208977 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:31:20 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208977 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208977/Papiez_na_strone_napo_005_small.JPG' /><br />Czestochowa, Poland, April 1, 2011: Pope John Paul 2 clay head held by Barbara Peczek of BAMGIPS company making clay figures of the saints. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208977'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208980/Papiez_na_strone_napo_006_small.JPG' /><br />Lichen, Poland, March 29, 2011: The pope John Paul 2 monument by Lichen basilica. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208980'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208980 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:31:31 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208980 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208980/Papiez_na_strone_napo_006_small.JPG' /><br />Lichen, Poland, March 29, 2011: The pope John Paul 2 monument by Lichen basilica. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208980'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208983/Papiez_na_strone_napo_007_small.JPG' /><br />Gliwice, Poland, March 4, 2011: Wieslaw Bochynski and Kazimierz Janicki, workers at the GZUT factory that specializes in making the bronze monuments, getting together pope John Paul 2 monument. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208983'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208983 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:31:52 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208983 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208983/Papiez_na_strone_napo_007_small.JPG' /><br />Gliwice, Poland, March 4, 2011: Wieslaw Bochynski and Kazimierz Janicki, workers at the GZUT factory that specializes in making the bronze monuments, getting together pope John Paul 2 monument. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208983'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208986/Papiez_na_strone_napo_008_small.JPG' /><br />Radom, April 2, 2011 Youths praying by the monument of pope John Paul 2 on a 6-th anniversary of his death. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208986'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208986 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:32:08 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208986 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208986/Papiez_na_strone_napo_008_small.JPG' /><br />Radom, April 2, 2011 Youths praying by the monument of pope John Paul 2 on a 6-th anniversary of his death. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208986'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208989/Papiez_na_strone_napo_009_small.JPG' /><br />Szaflary, Poland March 3, 2011: Two resin monuments of pope John Paul 2 for sale at the roadside shop, alongside with garden gnomes and other garden figures. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208989'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208989 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:32:25 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208989 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208989/Papiez_na_strone_napo_009_small.JPG' /><br />Szaflary, Poland March 3, 2011: Two resin monuments of pope John Paul 2 for sale at the roadside shop, alongside with garden gnomes and other garden figures. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208989'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208992/Papiez_na_strone_napo_010_small.JPG' /><br />Rzaska, March 1, 2011 Plan showing pieces for welding of the monument of pope John Paul 2 by Czeslaw Dzwigaj. Dzwigaj has made over 70 sculptures of the late pope. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208992'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208992 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:33:15 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208992 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208992/Papiez_na_strone_napo_010_small.JPG' /><br />Rzaska, March 1, 2011 Plan showing pieces for welding of the monument of pope John Paul 2 by Czeslaw Dzwigaj. Dzwigaj has made over 70 sculptures of the late pope. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208992'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208995/Papiez_na_strone_napo_011_small.JPG' /><br />Rzaska, March 1, 2011 Welding the monument of pope John Paul 2 by Czeslaw Dzwigaj. Dzwigaj has made over 70 sculptures of the late pope. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208995'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208995 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:33:55 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208995 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208995/Papiez_na_strone_napo_011_small.JPG' /><br />Rzaska, March 1, 2011 Welding the monument of pope John Paul 2 by Czeslaw Dzwigaj. Dzwigaj has made over 70 sculptures of the late pope. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208995'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208998/Papiez_na_strone_napo_012_small.JPG' /><br />Szaflary, Poland, March 3, 2011: Two large resin monuments of pope John Paul 2 for sale in a roadside shop. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208998'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208998 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:34:06 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208998 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1208998/Papiez_na_strone_napo_012_small.JPG' /><br />Szaflary, Poland, March 3, 2011: Two large resin monuments of pope John Paul 2 for sale in a roadside shop. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1208998'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1209001/Papiez_na_strone_napo_013_small.JPG' /><br />Gliwice, Poland, March 4, 2011: Wieslaw Bochynski and Kazimierz Janicki, workers at the GZUT factory that specializes in making the bronze monuments, getting together pope John Paul 2 monument. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209001'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209001 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:34:17 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209001 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1209001/Papiez_na_strone_napo_013_small.JPG' /><br />Gliwice, Poland, March 4, 2011: Wieslaw Bochynski and Kazimierz Janicki, workers at the GZUT factory that specializes in making the bronze monuments, getting together pope John Paul 2 monument. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209001'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1209004/Papiez_na_strone_napo_014_small.JPG' /><br />Miechowice Wielkie, Poland, April 2, 2011: The pope John Paul 2 monument in a village, southern Poland. This monument was made by the villagers in 1985 during communist times and was kept in a garrage for two years. Then, in 1987, during pope's visit to Poland, they took their risk and put the monument up in a village. It stands there ever since. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209004'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209004 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:34:27 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209004 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1209004/Papiez_na_strone_napo_014_small.JPG' /><br />Miechowice Wielkie, Poland, April 2, 2011: The pope John Paul 2 monument in a village, southern Poland. This monument was made by the villagers in 1985 during communist times and was kept in a garrage for two years. Then, in 1987, during pope's visit to Poland, they took their risk and put the monument up in a village. It stands there ever since. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209004'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1209007/Papiez_na_strone_napo_015_small.JPG' /><br />Nowa Sol, Poland, March 30, 2011: The pope John Paul 2 head at the office of company making garden figures. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209007'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209007 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:34:37 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209007 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1209007/Papiez_na_strone_napo_015_small.JPG' /><br />Nowa Sol, Poland, March 30, 2011: The pope John Paul 2 head at the office of company making garden figures. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209007'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1209010/Papiez_na_strone_napo_016_small.JPG' /><br />Cracow, Poland March 1, 2011: Artist at Czeslaw Dzwigaj sculptor workshop, scupting monument of pope John Paul 2. Dzwigaj has made over 70 sculptures of the late pope. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209010'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209010 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:34:47 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209010 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1209010/Papiez_na_strone_napo_016_small.JPG' /><br />Cracow, Poland March 1, 2011: Artist at Czeslaw Dzwigaj sculptor workshop, scupting monument of pope John Paul 2. Dzwigaj has made over 70 sculptures of the late pope. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209010'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1209013/Papiez_na_strone_napo_017_small.JPG' /><br />Miechowice Wielkie, Poland, April 2, 2011: The pope John Paul 2 monument in a village, southern Poland. This monument was made by the villagers in 1985 during communist times and was kept in a garrage for two years. Then, in 1987, during pope's visit to Poland, they took their risk and put the monument up in a village. It stands there ever since. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209013'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209013 Tue, 31 May 2011 14:34:56 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209013 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/1209013/Papiez_na_strone_napo_017_small.JPG' /><br />Miechowice Wielkie, Poland, April 2, 2011: The pope John Paul 2 monument in a village, southern Poland. This monument was made by the villagers in 1985 during communist times and was kept in a garrage for two years. Then, in 1987, during pope's visit to Poland, they took their risk and put the monument up in a village. It stands there ever since. (Photo by Piotr Malecki / Panos Pictures)<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/1209013'>view full-size image</a> Piotr Malecki