Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread

Officially on my list.

During my first visit to Poland in 2001, I trekked up to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. In its cafeteria, I experienced the Polish peculiarity of putting ketchup on pizza--what is a pilgrimage without penance. :)

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My son just ate one of these. This is the standard.

A disgusting Polish trait......

Said an incorrigible mongrel.

Really?

So do you put ketchup on your pizza?

I wouldn't call it disgusting, just not my taste. My son likes it, but he puts ketchup on tomatoes.

HaHaHa!

We've tried everything: beatings, electric shock, medications, therapy...he's still afflicted.

Ha, ha - that' what I call proper pilgrim's attitude. Looks like the New World produces better quality Catholics than the old one these days. :) *thumbs up*

Round table talks: 1989



On 2nd February 1989 so-called Round Table Talks (Obrady Okrągłego Stołu) began. In the talks the communist government agreed the terms of peaceful transition of power with the democratic opposition. The event remains controversial, being a proof of Polish responsibility and common sense for some, and an act of treason and disgrace for others. However you look at it, it was definitely a breakthrough event in the history of Poland and Central Europe.

Polskie Radio 24/7: 1973



1973 was an eventful year: the Vietnam War ended, Tolkien and Picasso died, Watergate scandal shook the United States, Poland drew against England on Wembley and qualified for the 1974 World Cup. All those events were reported by the Polish Radio - for the first time in its history 24/7.

To celebrate the come back of Crow, here's...

Slavs vs Vikings: 2003



Slavic warriors are getting ready to kick some pussy Viking arses in this modern adaptation of Józef Ignacy Kraszewski's "Stara baśń", one of the most widely read Polish novels of all time. Despite gathering a great cast (Żebrowski, Olbrychski, Trela, Dymna, Foremniak, Feldman) the film wasn't a great success, so in case you don't want to watch it: [SPOILER ALERT!] Slavs win.

You'd better drink Rakija..........disgusting hot water.

Meeting of friends: 2011



In 2011, during his previous term as Poland's PM, Donald Tusk met with his Serbian counterpart Mirko Cvetković to discuss all things Sarmatian and put fear into the hearts of all enemies of Slavia.

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal: 1903



This monument of Kaiser Wilhelm was unveiled in Gdańsk on 1st September 1903, in the presence of Wilhelm II (grandson of Wilhelm I). It stood in front of Brama Wyżynna (Hohes Tor) for over four decades until, in 1945, Soviet tankists decided they didn't like the guy in the pikelhaube and toppled the monument using a rope attached to their tank. The statue lay for some time in Targ Węglowy (Kohlenmarkt) until it disappeared (it was propably melted). The remains of the monument's plinth were found in 2006 in Orunia.

Posnania - semper fidelis: 1945



Staggering 55% of Poznań was in ruins after WW2. The old market square, Raczyński's Library, old churches - the losses were ineffable. In the photo we see ruins of the famous Bazar Hotel at Al. Marcinkowskiego. Germans - who already knew they lost in 1945 - declared Poznań a "Festung" and a horrible battle raged there in January and February. Eventually, the nazis were defeated by the Russian 8th Guards Army (aided by local people who carried ammunition and helped to build moat crossings in Winiary Fort). Even then, while withdrawing, the Germans kept on destroying many buildings (including Dom Żołnierza, blown up by a SS unit).

Poznań remembers the events until today, and even after the outbreak of Russian-Ukrainian war Poznań's authorities declined to remove Polish-Russian friendship sculpture at Ratajczaka street...

Back to Life: 1945 - now



After the war, with enormous sacrifice and cost, Poznań was raised from ruins...



... and today it remains a true gem and pride of the Republic of Poland.

Big fish: 2023



Fishing is a popular pastime in Poland; Polish Fishing Association has 634 thousand members within its ranks. This monster of a carp (37.76 kg, official fishing rod record of Poland) was caught by Krzysztof Lewandowski from Lędziny.

I flipping love that city.

If I wasn't lazy and "busy" with work right now, I'd include a oicture if the Obelisk at Cytadela where over 5,000 Soviet soldiers are buried.

I took the family to Poznań for a couple of days this summer (there was a huge cosplay convention that my daughter took part in), and we visited Cytadela too; a very interesting place, with the museum and all the military equipment. And of course the city itself is lovely - I can see why you love the place (apart from the most obvious reason ;)).

Yes, in true American spirit, I stole Poznan's loveliest gem to bring home with me. 😄

Smart guy!

I wonder if it elevates you to the status of a Plastic Pole (or at least a half-Plastic one) or are you still just an American. Hmm... a complicated issue. I will have to ask the rabbi... oh, I mean the parish priest. ;)

So what with that invasion of diggers into the city? The seem to be doing digging for years on the main square of the old town.

The works were still in progress during our visit, so we stayed away from the main square. They are supposed to finish soon, aren't they?

Edit: maybe they have finished already...

@Torq

🙂

I'd say I'm an American with a heart slightly tinged with sympathetic Polishness.

Brothers in Arms: 1919



January Uprising against the Russian Empire lasted from January 1863 until Autumn 1864; despite ending with a Polish defeat it awakened and renewed the Polish spirit, and it's remembered until this day as an act of glorious heroism. In the photo we see the veterans of the uprising: Wiktor Malewski (sitting), Antoni Suss, Mamert Wandali, Walenty Milczarski (standing, from the left).

Shortly after regaining independence, in January 1919, by the decision of Józef Piłsudski, all the veterans (by then there were 3644 of them still alive) were counted into the ranks of Wojsko Polskie, awarded a full life-time pension and promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Special uniforms were designed for them and soldiers saluted them as they would active duty officers...



... they were awarded renewed Virtuti Military and Independence Cross with Swords. The last anniversary celebrations with the participation of veterans took place in 1938 (52 were still alive but only 16 healthy enough to take part). The last insurgent, 100-year-old Feliks Bartczuk, died in 1946.

This man saw the Third Partition!: 1870



Well, maybe "saw" is an exaggeration but he was born in 1795. Count Franciszek S. Łoś, was a soldier of Duchy of Warsaw and an officer of Kingdom of Poland. He took part in the November Uprising (1830-31). The photo, taken 5 years before the count's death, has a watermark of the State Archive in Lublin.

His obituary from 1875 calls him a major of "former Polish army"...



... he was born in the year of 3rd partition... fought in the unsuccessful November Uprising, then saw the defeat of January Uprising, and when he died long before Poland regained independence he was called a major of former Polish army. :( The January insurgents from the previous post at least saw the Rebirth of Poland; thousands of freedom fighters from previous generations didn't have such luck. Eternal glory to the heroes.

Where did he die?

He died in Lwów and is buried in Cmentarz Łyczakowski.

P.S. Additional information: he was decorated with Golden Cross of Virtuti Militari...

Just like Jaruzelski.

An impressive guy.

Do you mean Jaruzelski?