51 photos
First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. 
In 1956, the Sopot Jazz festival in Poland helped redefine the country's cultural landscape allowing jazz to be played openly despite it having been banned under the Communist regime.
The contest for the title of 'Miss Sopot', held in conjunction with the festival, proved to be a similarly ground-breaking event. It drew such large crowds that it had to be moved to the roof of the casino at the once elegant seaside resort.       
Sopot, 1956
#560701 2

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. In 1956, the Sopot Jazz...

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. 
In 1956, the Sopot Jazz festival in Poland helped redefine the country's cultural landscape allowing jazz to be played openly despite it having been banned under the Communist regime.
The contest for the title of 'Miss Sopot', held in conjunction with the festival, proved to be a similarly ground-breaking event. It drew such large crowds that it had to be moved to the roof of the casino at the once elegant seaside resort.       
Sopot, 1956
#560701 4

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. In 1956, the Sopot Jazz...

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. 
In 1956, the Sopot Jazz festival in Poland helped redefine the country's cultural landscape allowing jazz to be played openly despite it having been banned under the Communist regime.
The contest for the title of 'Miss Sopot', held in conjunction with the festival, proved to be a similarly ground-breaking event. It drew such large crowds that it had to be moved to the roof of the casino at the once elegant seaside resort.       
Sopot, 1956
#560701 8

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. In 1956, the Sopot Jazz...

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. 
In 1956, the Sopot Jazz festival in Poland helped redefine the country's cultural landscape allowing jazz to be played openly despite it having been banned under the Communist regime.
The contest for the title of 'Miss Sopot', held in conjunction with the festival, proved to be a similarly ground-breaking event. It drew such large crowds that it had to be moved to the roof of the casino at the once elegant seaside resort.       
Girls climbing up the stairs to the roof.
Sopot, 1956
#56070111

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. In 1956, the Sopot Jazz...

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. 
In 1956, the Sopot Jazz festival in Poland helped redefine the country's cultural landscape allowing jazz to be played openly despite it having been banned under the Communist regime.
The contest for the title of 'Miss Sopot', held in conjunction with the festival, proved to be a similarly ground-breaking event. It drew such large crowds that it had to be moved to the roof of the casino at the once elegant seaside resort.       
Girls climbing up the stairs to the roof.
Sopot, 1956
#56070112

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. In 1956, the Sopot Jazz...

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. 
In 1956, the Sopot Jazz festival in Poland helped redefine the country's cultural landscape allowing jazz to be played openly despite it having been banned under the Communist regime.
The contest for the title of 'Miss Sopot', held in conjunction with the festival, proved to be a similarly ground-breaking event. It drew such large crowds that it had to be moved to the roof of the casino at the once elegant seaside resort.       
Sopot, 1956
#56070120

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. In 1956, the Sopot Jazz...

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. 
In 1956, the Sopot Jazz festival in Poland helped redefine the country's cultural landscape allowing jazz to be played openly despite it having been banned under the Communist regime.
The contest for the title of 'Miss Sopot', held in conjunction with the festival, proved to be a similarly ground-breaking event. It drew such large crowds that it had to be moved to the roof of the casino at the once elegant seaside resort.       
Sopot, 1956
#56070129

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. In 1956, the Sopot Jazz...

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. 
In 1956, the Sopot Jazz festival in Poland helped redefine the country's cultural landscape allowing jazz to be played openly despite it having been banned under the Communist regime.
The contest for the title of 'Miss Sopot', held in conjunction with the festival, proved to be a similarly ground-breaking event. It drew such large crowds that it had to be moved to the roof of the casino at the once elegant seaside resort.       
Sopot, 1956
#56070131

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. In 1956, the Sopot Jazz...

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. 
In 1956, the Sopot Jazz festival in Poland helped redefine the country's cultural landscape allowing jazz to be played openly despite it having been banned under the Communist regime.
The contest for the title of 'Miss Sopot', held in conjunction with the festival, proved to be a similarly ground-breaking event. It drew such large crowds that it had to be moved to the roof of the casino at the once elegant seaside resort.       
Sopot, 1956
#56070218A

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. In 1956, the Sopot Jazz...

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. 
In 1956, the Sopot Jazz festival in Poland helped redefine the country's cultural landscape allowing jazz to be played openly despite it having been banned under the Communist regime.
The contest for the title of 'Miss Sopot', held in conjunction with the festival, proved to be a similarly ground-breaking event. It drew such large crowds that it had to be moved to the roof of the casino at the once elegant seaside resort.       
Contestants climb down from the roof after parading.      
Sopot, 1956
#56070219A

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. In 1956, the Sopot Jazz...

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. 
In 1956, the Sopot Jazz festival in Poland helped redefine the country's cultural landscape allowing jazz to be played openly despite it having been banned under the Communist regime.
The contest for the title of 'Miss Sopot', held in conjunction with the festival, proved to be a similarly ground-breaking event. It drew such large crowds that it had to be moved to the roof of the casino at the once elegant seaside resort.       
The girls' dressing room. 
Sopot, 1956
#56070222A

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. In 1956, the Sopot Jazz...

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. 
In 1956, the Sopot Jazz festival in Poland helped redefine the country's cultural landscape allowing jazz to be played openly despite it having been banned under the Communist regime.
The contest for the title of 'Miss Sopot', held in conjunction with the festival, proved to be a similarly ground-breaking event. It drew such large crowds that it had to be moved to the roof of the casino at the once elegant seaside resort.       
The winner in the girls' dressing room. 
Sopot, 1956
#56070227A

First election of a beauty queen in Communist Poland. In 1956, the Sopot Jazz...