Huge kudos to the foresight and ingenuity of the London-based photographer Ilona Karwińska and graphic designer David S. Hill for salvaging the culturally rich neon signs (1960s-1970s) of Poland from the trash can of history. Following the post-Stalin years, neon signs were regarded as symbols of economic success and the progression of Polish society towards a more liberal one.

Designed by some of Poland’s top architects and designers, these glowing signs were once revered and can be seen at the façades of cinemas, restaurants, discotheques and bars. However, the fate of these signs changed during the post-communist years as Poland tried to shed its old image. Many buildings, which reminded the Poles of their communist past, were destroyed and so were these neon signs. Karwińska and Hill saved about 200 neon signs and 500 letterforms from the bins. Look out for prominent ones such as the Shanghai Restaurant and Hansel and Gretel – a well-known coffee shop.