The Adventures of Sindbad the Seafarer
The Adventures of Sindbad the Seafarer
Illustration Project, Workshops & Bilingual Musical Audiobook
A magical reimagining of Bolesław Leśmian’s timeless tale, brought to life through 57 original watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations. This immersive visual world is presented as an exhibition and accompanied by creative workshops that invite audiences of all ages to step into Sindbad’s world.
Bilingual Audiobook
The first-ever English translation by Mary Besemeres is paired with the Polish original in a beautifully narrated bilingual musical audiobook. Featuring an original soundtrack, it’s available through the Pomelody app and Apple Books.
Who It’s For
Perfect for children, families, and educators, this project brings together the wonder, humor, and mystery of Sindbad’s adventures in a format that encourages storytelling, imagination, and intergenerational connection.
Why It Matters
Literary revival: Introduces new audiences to Leśmian’s classic 1913 tale, a key work of Polish-Jewish literature.
Multisensory experience: Blends illustration, sound, and storytelling for a layered, engaging encounter with the text.
Educational value: Workshops foster narrative thinking, creativity, and collaborative play.
Proven Format
The project has been presented at POLIN Museum and the Galicia Jewish Museum, where it became part of broader exhibition programming with live events, murals, and hands-on workshops. It was also developed as part of the Create Creatures family series at the Wilanów Palace Museum.
What’s Included
Complete set of 57 exhibition-ready illustrations
Workshop guides and materials for facilitators
Access to the bilingual musical audiobook
Optional artist talks, educational sessions, or workshop facilitation
Licensing options for exhibitions or publication use
Exhibition
Dreamlike illustrations invite audiences of all ages to rediscover Sindbad’s timeless journey.
Workshops
The accompanying workshops encourage children to explore Sindbad’s world through creative play.
New English Edition
For the first time, Leśmian’s poetic tale has been translated into English by Mary Besemeres.
“Sindbad’s adventures are so entertaining and Leśmian’s voice so unique that ever since I first read the book in Polish, I’ve wanted to share these adventures with readers of English. Leśmian conjures up such an aura of mystery about the sea and far-off places. That aura captivated me as a child, and still does today. It is beautifully captured by Julia’s illustrations, which are delicate and dreamlike as well as humorous and highly inventive.”
Press
Fragment of English translation by Mary Besemeres
Interview with translator
Review of the exhibition in Cracow