In 1895 Mir Castle became the property of my family, the Princes Swiatopolk-Mirski, and remained in our family’s ownership until the outbreak of WW II in 1939. I first became aware of the existence of the castle thanks to the photographs which hung on the wall of our house among the family photographs, but more especially so because my mother stayed with Prince Mikhail N. Swiatopolk-Mirski, who was the owner of the estate - and my great-uncle. My maternal grandfather also lived there.

1st September 2002 was a Sunday, the weather at Mir was superb - a beautiful sunny day - which became even more memorable for me since it was the first time that I met and embraced my cousin from London, Maria Princess Swiatopolk-Mirska. We share the same grandfather - Prince Ivan Nicolaevitch Swiatopolk-Mirski. On this day I also had the very moving experience of entering the castle through its beautiful doors and kissing its portals with tears in my eyes. After all, Mir was the family home. And so for the first time, together with my cousin, I proceeded to enter the family chapel, where we both knelt and prayed among our ancestors who are buried there.

I visited Mir Castle in 2002 and in 2005 on the invitation of the Belarus Embassy in Warsaw, in conjunction with the National Art Museum of Belarus.

An exhibition of my photographs can be seen at Mir Castle. The photos are only journalistic snaps of a moment frozen in time, as they were taken in a hurry since the programme of the visit to Mir was confined by a very tight schedule due to Princess Maria and I being involved in press and radio interviews. We both took part in a documentary film about the descendants of the Swiatopolk-Mirski family, which was broadcast on state television under the title: “Man’s Fate”. We also participated in the various celebrations which took place in the vicinity of Mir Castle.

Outside the castle so many interesting events that simply pleaded to be photographed were taking place! Against the backdrop of beautiful and colourful scenery the history of Mir Castle was presented through a recital of poetry interspersed with songs and dances. In addition to the numerous stalls of the country fair there were knightly jousting tournaments. This festive, colourful and lively event merited a much more detailed photographic record. However, whatever I did manage to record with my camera I subsequently donated to the exhibition - which you are cordially invited to view.