History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Upside down, girl you turn me: 2015

Kaszuby is more than just beautiful forests and lakes; many more attractions await the tourists lucky enough to find themselves in this most beautiful region of Poland. For example, in Szymbark they can visit an underground bunker of the Pomeranian Griffin partisans (and experience a simulation of artillery/aerial bombardment), see a replica of a Siberian gulag building, marvel at the longest plank in the world or - finally - visit the famous upside down house. Beware though - strange things happen to your otic capsule when you're inside. :)

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Where the devil says goodnight: 1920s

Poczesna may be a small (784 inhabitants) village in the middle of Silesian nowhere, and some of their local authorities' jackets in 1920s had definitely seen better days...

... but they had a red-brick borough office building already back in 1921, when all the peasants' houses around were wooden...

Being hardworking and thrifty people, the inhabitants of Poczesna are proud to still have the very same building as their borough office seat over one hundred years later...

... but the locals live in brick houses (or at least breeze-block/aerated concrete) themselves, drive Škodas and Toyotas, and spend their holidays in Croatia (and hopefully got themselves some new jackets ;)).

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

The slogan "Katowice for a change" was voted for by the citizens of the Upper Silesian capital. As for the logo, before anyone has any strange connotations...

"The logo consists of two parts. Its black base depicts the cultural and industrial heritage of Katowice, while the upper layer represents the current potential of the city, built on the Silesian traditions. The multicolour visualisation reflects the following characteristics of the city: its metropolitan character (blue), an alternative (magenta), heritage & multiculturalism (red), transformation (yellow), activity (purple), eco-responsibility (green), business (gold), energy (graphite grey). The logo is closely associated with the slogan "KATOWICE for a change".

katowice.eu/en/en/katowice-city/symbols

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Katowice, for a change: 2024

No wars, past or future, in Pol-Shorpy on this lovely Thursday morning. Just a calm evening photo of the Silesian Voivodeship's capital, Katowice. For a change. :)

History / What should Russia and Poland do to become if not friends, then at least not enemies? [945]


Destroying 90% of the city wasn't the worst thing about it - cities can be rebuilt; the worst was murdering 200,000 of civilians by the German army, as well as Russian (Waffen-Sturm-Brigade der SS RONA), Belarussian (Schutzmannschafts-Bataillon der Sicherheitspolizei 13) and Ukrainian (Schützmannschaft Bataillon der Sipo 31) units.

By the way, this one thing makes me proud: there were Russian, Slovak, Belarussian, Croatian or Ukrainian SS units, but not Polish. There might have been some individual Polish citizens who served in SS but there was never a Polish SS unit.

Germans and their Russian, Ukrainian and Belarussian collaborationists slaughtered civilians in an organised and regular manner all over Warsaw. The Soviet army stood an watched, on purpose. Of course, from the political point of view, it made sense - Stalin waited for Polish patriotic youth, who would most likely cause him all sorts of trouble in the future, to be slaughtered. From the purely human point of view though, it was pure and undeniable kurewstwo.

So, yes, surprisingly enough I find myself agreeing with Pawian on this one. Warsaw is one city in which Russians should refrain themselves from celebrating "liberation". There are tens, if not hundreds, of other cities which liberation Russians can genuinely celebrate; from Warsaw, however, they should rather discretely f*ck off.

It is a good thing that there were no incidents during the wreath laying ceremony by the Russian ambassador. Civilised standards should be kept. However, said ambassador should be called and have it explained to him that should the provocative actions of celebrating the "liberation" of Warsaw ever be repeated, his presence in Poland will be put into serious consideration.

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

East bound and down, loaded up and truckin': 2023

OK, so maybe the 3rd generation Jelcz truck will no longer transport milk, cleaning products or clothes, like his early predecessors used to, but this monster of a truck, presented first at 32nd International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce, will have an equally important task to accomplish: it will serve as a platform for Polish HIMARS and K239 Chunmoo rocket launchers...

... with over half a century of truck-making tradition, Zakłady Samochodowe Jelcz can be trusted to provide the Polish army with reliable and durable trucks for difficult times. We need a lot of these vehicles and we need them fast, so put the pedal to the metal, boys! :)

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]

Something tells me that the Irish ruling the world wouldn't be such a bad idea:

- they know what it means to be oppressed and persecuted, so maybe they wouldn't oppress and persecute other people too much;

- they know what poverty and hunger is, so maybe they would make sure that people they rule have bread on their tables;

- they are still deep down a Christian nation, with a deeply ingrained sense of justice and fairness.

Yip, that's it. Forget Americans, Russians or the Chinese - let the Irish run things from now on! ;)

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]


KHL - Kontinental Hurling League? ;)

Off-Topic / Personal Pan-Slavic Manifesto [37]


Looking forward to it!

Off-Topic / Personal Pan-Slavic Manifesto [37]


Hear, hear! Well said, Mirek.

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Sie sind frei, Doktor Korczak: 1942

There are very few figures in the history of Poland who provoke such a common sympathy and admiration in every Polish heart, regardless of its owner's age or political alignment, as the Old Doctor, Janusz Korczak. He was a Jewish pediatrician, pedagogue and an early children's rights advocate. During WW2 Polish underground organization Żegota offered him sanctuary on the "Aryan side". He turned the offer down repeatedly.

During the Grossaktion Warschau of 1942, German soldiers came to collect the 192 orphans that the Doctor was taking care of and about one dozen staff members to transport them to the Treblinka extermination camp...

Janusz Korczak was marching, his head bent forward, holding the hand of a child, without a hat, a leather belt around his waist, and wearing high boots. A few nurses were followed by two hundred children, dressed in clean and meticulously cared for clothes, as they were being carried to the altar.

- Ghetto eyewitness, Joshua Perle

... according to eyewitnesses, an SS officer recognized Korczak as the author of one of his favorite children's books and offered to help him escape.

Korczak refused the offer.

He went with his children to Treblinka where he was murdered on 7th August 1942.

P.S. In the first photo we see Wojciech Pszoniak as the good Doctor in Andrzej Wajda's 1990 film Korczak.

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]


That's a more sensible and manly request. We have some very decent single malts. Yes, I will do our local whiskey some time in the future (don't want to change this thread into an alcoholic's dream ;)).

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]


My age, social status and respected position that I enjoy in my local community prevent me from doing what you asked me.

...not to mention my basic dignity as a Polish citizen and patriot.

If you asked for mead or maybe wheat vodka, or even some traditional beer... but cider???

Tell ya what, Iron. This conversation will remain between us and in the future we shall never mention this again.

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]


This, of course, should read drought not draught.

Pox on the English language and its nightmarish ortography!

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Potato in its most perfect form: 2022

The gold of Polish soil, Denar potato, is planted in April and picked early - in July. Polish farmers - God bless them and their children - then, after careful selection, bring their precious cargo to Chopin distillery in Krzesk where master distillers do their magic and turn the gold of Polish soil into the poetry of Polish vodka. Single-distilled Młody Ziemniak Lipiec 2022 is a masterpiece of distilling art...

Some vital data...

Potato variety: Denar

Planted: 11th April 2022

Picked: 15th July 2022

Weather conditions:

April - winter undertones, delayed vegetation
May - exceptionally cold, very dry
June - varied weather, storms and heat waves
July - draught

Final effect: ineffable

Alcohol volume: 40%

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]


Writers of "undemanding genre fiction" are rarely nominated to Nobel Prize in Literature (as Chesterton was in 1935) or considered by critics to be successors of Matthew Arnold, John Ruskin or Thomas Carlyle.

He was held in high regard by, and was an influence on, many writers (including Jorge Louis Borges and T.S. Eliot) and philosophers (e.g. one of the "immortals" of Académie Française, Étienne Gilson). Also - let's not forget - Chesterton was invested as Knight Commander with Star of the Papal Order of St. Gregory the Great by Pope Pius XI. Not bad for "quite a good writer of undemanding genre fiction". :)

For me personally, his Heretics, Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man are among the most important books that shaped my worldview.

However, I can understand perfectly well why you don't like him, Jon.


Hmm... yes, the Good Doctor should certainly be included in this thread (and will be, soon).

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

An Englishman who loved Poland: 1927

In the photo we see G.K. Chesterton and his wife being welcomed by Polish authorities at the main railway station in Warsaw. The great British writer visited Poland in April 1927 and everywhere he went (Poznań, Kraków, Lwów, Wilno, Zakopane, Troki) he was received cordially. The English convert to Catholicism and one of the greatest writers of the 20th century was a faithful friend of Poland and a partisan of the Polish ideal.

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Zróbże minę uprzejmą, żubrze: 2023

The European Bison or, as it should properly be called, żubr is one of the symbols of Poland. About 2500 of those animals (a quarter of world's population) live in Poland in eight free herds and about 200 in zoos and breeding facilities. Until 1960s there was only one free herd of bisons is Europe, in Puszcza Białowieska, and the animal itself was on the verge of extinction. Thanks to the efforts of Polish foresters and international cooperation the species was not only saved from extinction but is now thriving in its natural environment.

History / What should Russia and Poland do to become if not friends, then at least not enemies? [945]


Couldn't we possibly dispense with this hateful nonsense, Jon? It's unbecoming of you.

There are people dying. On both sides.

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Why him?: 2018

That the students of Fine Arts Academy in Łódź wanted to make their city more beautiful - this is commendable and praiseworthy.

That they decided on a huge colourful mural as their medium of expression - with this I have no problem at all.

However, why on earth they chose Pawian as their model - this I shall never understand.

History / What should Russia and Poland do to become if not friends, then at least not enemies? [945]


You are arguing against your point, Bobi.

Which marshal is better - the one who floods his overwhelmed enemy with tons of steel and millions of soldiers, or the one who with skilful command defeats a more numerous enemy?

History / What should Russia and Poland do to become if not friends, then at least not enemies? [945]


Well, he certainly had more medals. ;)

Off-Topic / Personal Pan-Slavic Manifesto [37]


Of course I read it. I'm a Dmowski buff :) As I said some of the things he wrote there could be considered anti-semitic: alleged pro-German stance of Polish Jews, his opinion on assimilated Polish Jews being "trashy Poles" ("Polacy tandetni") or accusation of trying to be the ruling nation ("występowanie w roli narodowości panującej"). He also claimed that it's impossible to be a Jew and a Pole at the same time and that Jews should decide to be either one or the other...

... which was a bit weird, as we had minorities who kept their culture, customs and religion (e.g. Tatars) and were loyal citizens of Poland. However, as I already wrote in my reply to Lyzko, he was definitely not an anti-semite in a common understanding of this word in the light of WW2 (besides, Dmowski died before the war started).

Off-Topic / Personal Pan-Slavic Manifesto [37]


I have no comment on that other than even great statesmen can sometimes be wrong on certain issues.

In private life, however, Dmowski showed no anti-semitic inclinations. On the contrary, Mieczysław Sobczak, in his book about National Democracy's attitude towards Jews (Wrocław, 2007), writes about Dmowski's help in financing education of a poor Jewish child. Also, in the book that you mention, Dmowski acknowledges the poverty of small town Jews, and says that their grievances are justified. So, although some of his views could be considered anti-semitic, he was definitely not a zoological anti-semite in a nazi style.

Off-Topic / Personal Pan-Slavic Manifesto [37]


Sounds like a much less ambitious project in its scope. What would be the point of it, and isn't it already happening within the EU/NATO?

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]


To some extent it certainly is, and - anyways - it should be our aim to educate, shouldn't it? :)

Off-Topic / Personal Pan-Slavic Manifesto [37]


Grunni, Grunni, Grunni... *sighs a warm, magnanimous, Slavic sigh*

... you must realise that with such ideas you are bound to quickly become Comrade Yezhov of Interoceanium and all the photos that may exist with you and me or Bobko on them, will be photoshopped ruthlessly.

Off-Topic / Personal Pan-Slavic Manifesto [37]

Intermarium - Stage Three

Member states: as many as necessary and decided upon
Population: ~360 million (subject to change upwards, depending on circumstances)
Area: ~24 million sq km (subject to change upwards, depending on circumstances)

With the completion of Intermarium Stage Three unification, all the Slavic nations will be included in the alliance. For practical, moral or geopolitical reasons some non-Slavic, but otherwise brotherly, countries will be allowed to join.

The vast spaces of Russia will be better organised and its vast resources will finally serve all the children of Slavia and some non-Slavic, but brotherly, nations. A mere look at the map and a short investigation of Intermarium's (which might then change its name to Interoceanium) strength and potential will cause the increased demand for washing detergent all over the world. However, after a short increased output of washing detergent production, the world will realise that Interoceanium is a kind-hearted and benevolent empire and will start wondering how on earth they didn't love us right away in the first place.

THE END

Of course, what I have presented here is not set in stone; the details can be reflected upon, discussed, thought about, negotiated, mulled over and modified a bit, but the general outline of the final unification of Slavic people (and other brotherly ones) in peace and harmony with the entire world is ready to be applied.

Disclaimer: I waive any claims to authorial rights and don't expect any monetary remuneration. I shall be quite content with a short chapter in history books and a modest monument here and there - I was thinking Warsaw, Belgrade, Prague, Moscow, Vladivostok (for a start).

Off-Topic / Personal Pan-Slavic Manifesto [37]

Intermarium - Stage Two

Member states: 18
Population: ~170 million
Area: ~ 2.1 million sq km

After the stage one of Intermarium comes to an end, with the alliance becoming internally cohesive and with a strong military and nuclear deterrent force, it will be the time to welcome two more Slavic nations into its motherly womb. By that time, the world will acknowledge the existence of a new superpower and will learn to take its interests into account and respect them (otherwise, a certain amount of SE-SF-KB will have to be applied when needed).

Intermarium Stage Two will become a powerhouse in science, farming and industry, and a strong arm to lean on for both our eastern and western friends and neighbours. It will be later known as the Silver Age of the alliance, with the Golden Age still to come.

America, drowning in internal problems with fentanyl-zombies, Mexicans flowing in through the border, unemployment, lack of sensible health service, inflation, crime etc. will withdraw from Europe, going into isolation and leaving the European safety in the capable hands of Intermarium leaders. Germany's industrial base will be reorganised to best fit the needs of Intermarium, and countries like France, Italy and Spain will continue their mundane existence as open air museums and tourist magnets.

Russia, with their ever-declining population, decaying nuclear arsenal, and economic hardship will be - more than ever - in need of our brotherly help. It would be inhumane and un-Slavic-like if, in such circumstances, we failed to provide help in time of our Slavic brothers' (and sisters'!) need. Our extended hand Russia shall not reject, which will pave the way to Intermarium Stage Three.

... to be continued ...

History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

In the heart of Cracow: 2024

Pałac Potockich is certainly an interesting place in an interesting city: book premieres, interesting lectures, literary festivals, concerts, meetings with writers and translators, workshops for children, and many other activities attract visitors all year round. There is also an art gallery and a well-stocked bookshop in there. If you're ever in Cracow, make sure to check what is going on in Potockis' Palace culture centre.