pawian
16 Mar 2025
Off-Topic / Serbia etc. thread 3 [436]
[login to read]
pawian
16 Mar 2025
History / The Battle of Kolberg 1945 [9]
We used to spend 1 month of each summer holiday there in 1970s. We stayed at the campsite located near the park amphitheatre. Thanks to that, we could attend the Festival of Soldier Songs held annually in Kołobrzeg.
At the time, I was too young to grasp the impact of WW2 on the city which was devastating cos it was razed to the ground due to the siege. I understood it later on why large areas in the centre were completely devoid of any architecture and the rest was built all over with ugly communist blocks. I saw it even better when I visited Kołobrzeg again as an adult man after the city council had completely restored the Old Town and nearby quarters.
We used to spend 1 month of each summer holiday there in 1970s. We stayed at the campsite located near the park amphitheatre. Thanks to that, we could attend the Festival of Soldier Songs held annually in Kołobrzeg.
At the time, I was too young to grasp the impact of WW2 on the city which was devastating cos it was razed to the ground due to the siege. I understood it later on why large areas in the centre were completely devoid of any architecture and the rest was built all over with ugly communist blocks. I saw it even better when I visited Kołobrzeg again as an adult man after the city council had completely restored the Old Town and nearby quarters.
pawian
16 Mar 2025
Food / Polish dishes with foreign origin in the name [99]
Coffee ala Turkish was invented in communist times.
This was the name given to finely ground coffee, put into a glass and poured with boiling water. Meanwhile, coffee drunk in Turkey is definitely different from the Polish invention of the times of socialism. Real Turkish coffee should be brewed in a specially designed vessel. It is also prepared using iced water, which, when heated, extracts the desired flavor notes from the coffee. Leaving aside the confusion about how to brew coffee, the dominant drink in Turkey is... tea.
Coffee ala Turkish was invented in communist times.
This was the name given to finely ground coffee, put into a glass and poured with boiling water. Meanwhile, coffee drunk in Turkey is definitely different from the Polish invention of the times of socialism. Real Turkish coffee should be brewed in a specially designed vessel. It is also prepared using iced water, which, when heated, extracts the desired flavor notes from the coffee. Leaving aside the confusion about how to brew coffee, the dominant drink in Turkey is... tea.
a
pawian
16 Mar 2025
Travel / Poland in photo riddles - part 3 [779]
Before I forget: What can you see??
PS. There are two riddles pending above, btw.
Before I forget: What can you see??
PS. There are two riddles pending above, btw.
snake in grass
pawian
16 Mar 2025
Food / The most typical ingredient used in Polish cuisine [40]
There is always an alternative to anything. Even if it has to be Alternative 4 ! Ha!!
There are some nice alternatives
There is always an alternative to anything. Even if it has to be Alternative 4 ! Ha!!
pawian
16 Mar 2025
pawian
16 Mar 2025
Food / Polish cookbook - down to earth hearty Polish cuisine [33]
Eggs in mustard sauce was allegedly popular in communist times. Allegedly coz I don`t remember it to be so. I tried it a few times as a child and that`s all. It wasn`t once a week dish, certainly.
Ingredients:
8 eggs
2 cups of vegetable broth
2 small onions
6 tablespoons of mustard
4 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 flat tablespoons of wheat flour
salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
Boil the eggs until hard, cool, peel and cut in half. Chop the onion into very small cubes.
Melt the butter and fry the onion in it. Add the flour and stir so that no lumps form.
Pour in the broth and lemon juice, stir until combined. Add the mustard and season to taste. Stir, bring to a boil and cook over medium heat for about five minutes.
Place the eggs on plates and pour the mustard sauce on the side. You can decorate the dish with chopped parsley or other "greenery". Serve as a snack or a dish, accompanied by e.g. mashed potatoes.
Here are two versions: solo and as a dish with potatoes and salads
Considering the current shortages of eggs, the dishes based on them are royal treat indeed.
Eggs in mustard sauce was allegedly popular in communist times. Allegedly coz I don`t remember it to be so. I tried it a few times as a child and that`s all. It wasn`t once a week dish, certainly.
Ingredients:
8 eggs
2 cups of vegetable broth
2 small onions
6 tablespoons of mustard
4 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 flat tablespoons of wheat flour
salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
Boil the eggs until hard, cool, peel and cut in half. Chop the onion into very small cubes.
Melt the butter and fry the onion in it. Add the flour and stir so that no lumps form.
Pour in the broth and lemon juice, stir until combined. Add the mustard and season to taste. Stir, bring to a boil and cook over medium heat for about five minutes.
Place the eggs on plates and pour the mustard sauce on the side. You can decorate the dish with chopped parsley or other "greenery". Serve as a snack or a dish, accompanied by e.g. mashed potatoes.
Here are two versions: solo and as a dish with potatoes and salads
a
a
pawian
16 Mar 2025
Food / High Class Cuisine in Poland: What foods are eaten by Polish upper classes at 5 star Polish restaurants etc? [7]
Considering the current shortages of eggs, the dishes based on them are royal treat indeed.
Considering the current shortages of eggs, the dishes based on them are royal treat indeed.
pawian
16 Mar 2025
History / Crazy 1990s in Poland - transition from communism to capitalism - stories [108]
Among others our Ironside. He complained a few times that communists and their supporters robbed the state assets for themselves and there was nothing left for common people who were either forced to do menial jobs for peanuts or to emigrate. He chose the second option and emigrated to America in early 1990s.
The process raised controversies, a lot of people criticized it for allowing such injustice
Among others our Ironside. He complained a few times that communists and their supporters robbed the state assets for themselves and there was nothing left for common people who were either forced to do menial jobs for peanuts or to emigrate. He chose the second option and emigrated to America in early 1990s.
pawian
16 Mar 2025
History / Why Poland is not Russia [260]
It will be necessary, I am afraid. Refraining from it would be also illogical. You can`t successfully repel an invasion without bombing the enemy. Ukrainians showed us how to do it.
bombing Russia/Russian troops
It will be necessary, I am afraid. Refraining from it would be also illogical. You can`t successfully repel an invasion without bombing the enemy. Ukrainians showed us how to do it.
pawian
16 Mar 2025
History / Communism fell 20 years ago, Poland led the fight since WW2 [341]
Now it is 36 years since the fall of the system. It was enough time to make films about all major anti communist events taking place in Poland 1945-1989.
E.g, 1956 revolt in the city of Poznań
full film here with Eng subs available
youtube.com/watch?v=N6BOfgiXKow
and the trailer:
Now it is 36 years since the fall of the system. It was enough time to make films about all major anti communist events taking place in Poland 1945-1989.
E.g, 1956 revolt in the city of Poznań
full film here with Eng subs available
youtube.com/watch?v=N6BOfgiXKow
and the trailer:
pawian
16 Mar 2025
pawian
16 Mar 2025
History / Crazy 1990s in Poland - transition from communism to capitalism - stories [108]
In another thread we talked about the communist travel operator established in late 1940s called Employee Vacation Fund. It allowed millions of Poles/Polesses to spend vacation in attractive regions of Poland in communist times.
When the system collapsed, the Fund was taken over by the activists working for communist-controlled trade unions in 1990.
It is called the enfranchisement of the nomenklatura - a colloquial term for the process of privatization and takeover of public property by some activists of the party and state nomenklatura , which appeared during the political transformation in 1989 in Poland and other countries of the Eastern Bloc .
The process raised controversies, a lot of people criticized it for allowing such injustice like ignoring the fact that communists should be held responsible for their crimes instead of being awarded by becoming new owners of state companies.
However, some anti communist opposition activists saw it as a chance for communists to change their ideology from marxism to capitalism.
If people from the nomenklatura enter joint-stock companies, if they become one of the owners, then they will be interested in defending these joint-stock associations, and the joint-stock system destroys the Stalinist order ( Adam Michnik in June 1989, in an interview for the Belgrade weekly "NIN").
In order to make the economic reforms profound and irreversible, it is worth involving the nomenklatura people in economic activity so that they are personally interested in the success and durability of the reforms. In addition, if it were possible to harness the energy and undoubted abilities of the nomenklatura to mobilize the dead or half-living components of the national wealth, it could also pay off materially. I do not despair over the undervaluation of the assets passing into the hands of the nomenklatura companies. After all, one can always estimate. Will it be a form of crediting? It will be. Let us treat this as a dismissal of the nomenklatura, which served society, did not deserve it, but by losing its privileges and honors feels dispossessed of the achievements of two generations. I am in favor of a dismissal ( Jerzy Szperkowicz , Uwłaszczać i nie błędować , "Gazeta Wyborcza" of September 25, 1989; appendix C).
In another thread we talked about the communist travel operator established in late 1940s called Employee Vacation Fund. It allowed millions of Poles/Polesses to spend vacation in attractive regions of Poland in communist times.
When the system collapsed, the Fund was taken over by the activists working for communist-controlled trade unions in 1990.
It is called the enfranchisement of the nomenklatura - a colloquial term for the process of privatization and takeover of public property by some activists of the party and state nomenklatura , which appeared during the political transformation in 1989 in Poland and other countries of the Eastern Bloc .
The process raised controversies, a lot of people criticized it for allowing such injustice like ignoring the fact that communists should be held responsible for their crimes instead of being awarded by becoming new owners of state companies.
However, some anti communist opposition activists saw it as a chance for communists to change their ideology from marxism to capitalism.
If people from the nomenklatura enter joint-stock companies, if they become one of the owners, then they will be interested in defending these joint-stock associations, and the joint-stock system destroys the Stalinist order ( Adam Michnik in June 1989, in an interview for the Belgrade weekly "NIN").
In order to make the economic reforms profound and irreversible, it is worth involving the nomenklatura people in economic activity so that they are personally interested in the success and durability of the reforms. In addition, if it were possible to harness the energy and undoubted abilities of the nomenklatura to mobilize the dead or half-living components of the national wealth, it could also pay off materially. I do not despair over the undervaluation of the assets passing into the hands of the nomenklatura companies. After all, one can always estimate. Will it be a form of crediting? It will be. Let us treat this as a dismissal of the nomenklatura, which served society, did not deserve it, but by losing its privileges and honors feels dispossessed of the achievements of two generations. I am in favor of a dismissal ( Jerzy Szperkowicz , Uwłaszczać i nie błędować , "Gazeta Wyborcza" of September 25, 1989; appendix C).
pawian
16 Mar 2025
History / Why Poland is not Russia [260]
They have pro Russian Serbians and Hungarians in their asses, not hearts. :):):)
They have pro Russian Serbians and Hungarians in their asses, not hearts. :):):)
pawian
16 Mar 2025
History / Why Poland is not Russia [260]
No, most Poles/Polesses reject both Serbia and Hungary as too pro Russian.
No, most Poles/Polesses reject both Serbia and Hungary as too pro Russian.
pawian
16 Mar 2025
Food / What Polish foods do foreigners generally not take to? [139]
Pouring vinegar doesn`t help. You would need to pour nitric acid to be able to consume the dish.
Pouring vinegar doesn`t help. You would need to pour nitric acid to be able to consume the dish.
pawian
16 Mar 2025
History / Why Poland is not Russia [260]
Putin and Russian elites do not need peace cos they thrive on war.
What can we do about it??? Keep peace by preparing to war! Europe has to triple its military expenses and soon Russia will implode like the USSR which was finished off by the Cold War arms race.
- Economically, socially and politically, everything has settled down in Russia in these three years to such an extent that turning back from this path is impossible. This would be a huge risk for Putin and the Kremlin leadership. A risk that is not worth taking and that Putin does not want to take. He is convinced that this path is the path to Russia's greatness. For us, for the West, this is a very bad prospect. Russia has become a copy of the Soviet Union, and we have gone back to the times of the "cold war". Let us remember, however, that Russia can function as a militarized state and society, like the Soviet Union once was. Not necessarily in a state of constant war, but in a constant confrontation, an arms race. This has happened before, and the costs of such a race overwhelmed Moscow and blew the empire apart. It will be the same this time.
The whole interesting article here:
wydarzenia.interia.pl/ukraina-rosja/news-wielkie-zwyciestwo-rosji-nad-trumpem-putin-potrzebowal-dwoch,nId,7931832
Putin and Russian elites do not need peace cos they thrive on war.
What can we do about it??? Keep peace by preparing to war! Europe has to triple its military expenses and soon Russia will implode like the USSR which was finished off by the Cold War arms race.
- Economically, socially and politically, everything has settled down in Russia in these three years to such an extent that turning back from this path is impossible. This would be a huge risk for Putin and the Kremlin leadership. A risk that is not worth taking and that Putin does not want to take. He is convinced that this path is the path to Russia's greatness. For us, for the West, this is a very bad prospect. Russia has become a copy of the Soviet Union, and we have gone back to the times of the "cold war". Let us remember, however, that Russia can function as a militarized state and society, like the Soviet Union once was. Not necessarily in a state of constant war, but in a constant confrontation, an arms race. This has happened before, and the costs of such a race overwhelmed Moscow and blew the empire apart. It will be the same this time.
The whole interesting article here:
wydarzenia.interia.pl/ukraina-rosja/news-wielkie-zwyciestwo-rosji-nad-trumpem-putin-potrzebowal-dwoch,nId,7931832
pawian
16 Mar 2025
History / Life in communist Poland - personal relations [503]
Yes, it is still a travel operator today.
Yes, it is still a travel operator today.
pawian
16 Mar 2025
History / Why Poland is not Russia [260]
Of course we can be against and even should coz Russian society has been successfully brainwashed with anti Western propaganda which lasted for decades or even a century now. Poland is considered the West by Russians and we will never be friends. In 100 years` time maybe.
There is no hope Russians will ever opt for peace coz living in a war state is their fave lifestyle.
- This means that Russia has already become accustomed to the new, war-related reality. Society, intimidated by the services, stupefied by propaganda and bought with social transfers, has accepted the new path. Today, there is no unemployment in Russia, and those who went to war or work for the defense industry live very well. Especially in the Russian provinces and in the poor regions of the country, this is a huge qualitative change for the better.
- The Russian elite, after the initial shock of Western sanctions and the deprivation of their luxurious lifestyle, also found their way in the reality of a war state. For their losses, they got something from Putin in return, namely the opportunity to earn money from war. So, they earn and live like kings for the realities of a war state. Putin has their support and peace.
.
We can be against a certain Russian government but we cannot be against Russia herself.
Of course we can be against and even should coz Russian society has been successfully brainwashed with anti Western propaganda which lasted for decades or even a century now. Poland is considered the West by Russians and we will never be friends. In 100 years` time maybe.
There is no hope Russians will ever opt for peace coz living in a war state is their fave lifestyle.
- This means that Russia has already become accustomed to the new, war-related reality. Society, intimidated by the services, stupefied by propaganda and bought with social transfers, has accepted the new path. Today, there is no unemployment in Russia, and those who went to war or work for the defense industry live very well. Especially in the Russian provinces and in the poor regions of the country, this is a huge qualitative change for the better.
- The Russian elite, after the initial shock of Western sanctions and the deprivation of their luxurious lifestyle, also found their way in the reality of a war state. For their losses, they got something from Putin in return, namely the opportunity to earn money from war. So, they earn and live like kings for the realities of a war state. Putin has their support and peace.
.
pawian
16 Mar 2025
Food / The most typical ingredient used in Polish cuisine [40]
Marjoram is often treated as a milder version of oregano. Sometimes, when we run out of the first, I use the other in my dishes.
I use it widely in:
soups
tripe dish
raw tartar steak
fermented beetroot juice
Marjoram has a milder, sweeter and more delicate taste that harmonizes perfectly with Polish cuisine. Its aroma is sweet, spicy and subtle, which makes it an irreplaceable addition to soups, sausages and cabbage dishes. Often used in traditional Polish soups, such as żurek or white borscht, marjoram adds a unique character and depth of flavor. Thanks to its delicate aroma, marjoram is also an ideal ingredient for marinades and fillings, subtly emphasizing the flavor of meat and vegetables.
Marjoram is often treated as a milder version of oregano. Sometimes, when we run out of the first, I use the other in my dishes.
I use it widely in:
soups
tripe dish
raw tartar steak
fermented beetroot juice
Marjoram has a milder, sweeter and more delicate taste that harmonizes perfectly with Polish cuisine. Its aroma is sweet, spicy and subtle, which makes it an irreplaceable addition to soups, sausages and cabbage dishes. Often used in traditional Polish soups, such as żurek or white borscht, marjoram adds a unique character and depth of flavor. Thanks to its delicate aroma, marjoram is also an ideal ingredient for marinades and fillings, subtly emphasizing the flavor of meat and vegetables.
pawian
16 Mar 2025
Language / Game - guess Polish idioms/sayings in direct English translation - part 2 [698]
It means a sudden setback whose effect is that you failed to do sth important.
Iron inspired me to offer this one:
to climb up sb` else`s head.
The dick struck the baubles, Christmas (tree) will be not
It means a sudden setback whose effect is that you failed to do sth important.
Iron inspired me to offer this one:
with his character.
to climb up sb` else`s head.
pawian
16 Mar 2025
Life / Trendsetter from Poland. [86]
I heard and read about the chocolate but have never seen it live cos I don`t visit the stores you mentioned.
I heard and read about the chocolate but have never seen it live cos I don`t visit the stores you mentioned.
pawian
16 Mar 2025
History / Life in communist Poland - personal relations [503]
Excellent guess, I predicted nobody would be able to solve it.
The times are late 1940s. Tourists bought a package holiday from the state institution called Working Holiday Fund and now they have arrived at a mountain resort and are lining to receive their accommodation address.
Excellent guess, I predicted nobody would be able to solve it.
The times are late 1940s. Tourists bought a package holiday from the state institution called Working Holiday Fund and now they have arrived at a mountain resort and are lining to receive their accommodation address.
pawian
15 Mar 2025
News / Presidential elections 2025 - the race has commenced!!! [665]
The sword of destiny has two edges - one of them is you, the other - Death.
Poland`s eternal destiny is to be allied with the civilised West against barbarian Russia. If we aren`t, we will die.
of destine
The sword of destiny has two edges - one of them is you, the other - Death.
Poland`s eternal destiny is to be allied with the civilised West against barbarian Russia. If we aren`t, we will die.
pawian
15 Mar 2025
News / European News and Poland Thread - part 4 [529]
Trumpist madness from European perspective:
If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck. If Trump and Musk act like lunatics, talk like lunatics, make a bunch of chaotic decisions, then they are probably lunatics. They may be considered "exceptionally effective negotiators," but for now, only Nurse Putin watches Trump and Musk's tussle with growing amusement as their madness destroys only the West.
The remnants of the "realistic" right are trying to convince themselves that Trump and Musk 's thrashing about in the depths of a trade war with NATO allies and in the depths of real wars in Ukraine and the Middle East is an "exceptionally effective negotiating tactic." But what is supposed to be the fruit of these negotiations?
Another crash of the American stock market? The collapse of the front in Ukraine? Or maybe the realized vision of a "riviera" in the Gaza Strip shown in an AI-made video of dancing bearded women and Trump and Musk admiring them while sipping drinks in hotel armchairs? A video that must have been the work of some Russian or Islamist provocateur, and yet it was "liked" and sent by Trump, because in the middle of the future "riviera" stands a solid gold statue of him, spitefully called a "golden calf" by some Jewish viewers of the video.
Trumpist madness from European perspective:
If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck. If Trump and Musk act like lunatics, talk like lunatics, make a bunch of chaotic decisions, then they are probably lunatics. They may be considered "exceptionally effective negotiators," but for now, only Nurse Putin watches Trump and Musk's tussle with growing amusement as their madness destroys only the West.
The remnants of the "realistic" right are trying to convince themselves that Trump and Musk 's thrashing about in the depths of a trade war with NATO allies and in the depths of real wars in Ukraine and the Middle East is an "exceptionally effective negotiating tactic." But what is supposed to be the fruit of these negotiations?
Another crash of the American stock market? The collapse of the front in Ukraine? Or maybe the realized vision of a "riviera" in the Gaza Strip shown in an AI-made video of dancing bearded women and Trump and Musk admiring them while sipping drinks in hotel armchairs? A video that must have been the work of some Russian or Islamist provocateur, and yet it was "liked" and sent by Trump, because in the middle of the future "riviera" stands a solid gold statue of him, spitefully called a "golden calf" by some Jewish viewers of the video.
pawian
15 Mar 2025
pawian
15 Mar 2025
News / Presidential elections 2025 - the race has commenced!!! [665]
Change your medication coz the old one stopped working on your lunacy. :):):)
Two Serbian
Change your medication coz the old one stopped working on your lunacy. :):):)
pawian
15 Mar 2025
Language / Game - guess Polish idioms/sayings in direct English translation - part 2 [698]
Before I forget: catch Mrs Goddess by the legs
Before I forget: catch Mrs Goddess by the legs
pawian
15 Mar 2025
Food / Origin of the pierogi [127]
It is the same mix of earlings and Rus pierogis as in post 119 however this time they are fried, not boiled, not sprinkled with lard chunks and complemented with fried oyster mushrooms and a side drink of red beetroot juice.
What is strange with this pierogi dish???
It is the same mix of earlings and Rus pierogis as in post 119 however this time they are fried, not boiled, not sprinkled with lard chunks and complemented with fried oyster mushrooms and a side drink of red beetroot juice.
a
pawian
15 Mar 2025