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Posts by Darun  

Joined: 24 Oct 2009 / Male ♂
Last Post: 15 Dec 2010
Threads: 1
Posts: Total: 55 / Live: 51 / Archived: 4

Speaks Polish?: Przepraszam, nie.
Interests: Foreign Affairs - Politics

Displayed posts: 52 / page 1 of 2
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Darun   
15 Dec 2010
Life / Made in Poland clothes (Warsaw) [12]

Thank you for the replies (*had some problems with the log in yesterday thus started the thread under a different name)

Probably is the same like in my country, the local producers are only doing clothes for export not for the internal market unfortunatelly. I was asking since back home there are quite a lot of stores with made in Poland clothes, and they are pretty much the only ones that fit me. I was really hoping to find a lot more here :(.

How about the Milo brand (sport clothing, mountain, etc.)? Does anyone know anything about it? As well I found it back home and it was written made in Poland on all the etiquets, but when I asked here, nobody heard about it...
Darun   
19 Aug 2010
History / Norman Davies - the Brit who loves Poland and becomes one of Us [250]

Actually even in his bio note on his own page there is written that he is not dedicated to the details but it's not so much importannt due to his good writting style:

Interesting, that's not what the books reflect, at least in comparison to many others. But I guess there's a different level of perception of the detail as an aspect, from a simple reader's point of view - such as mine, or from an experienced researcher's point of view.
Darun   
19 Aug 2010
History / Norman Davies - the Brit who loves Poland and becomes one of Us [250]

Norman Davies is actually very well known in the circles of interest, and is considered one of the best if not the best historian who wrote about Poland.

I've read 2 of his books and I like his dedication for details and historical truth (to the best approach of the concept). Plus, as any outside historian, he offers a somewhat objectivity much needed when assesing a country's history.

I think that, when you treat and write about things of that magnitude, relating to the WWs and a few others, there is no way of not being controversial, in its whole general approach it is a subject that raises voices and question marks from all over the world, to please them all it simply isn't any way.
Darun   
22 Jul 2010
Language / How similar are Polish and Romanian languages? [75]

Not much. I recognise a few archaic (now) words from Polish, but not that many.
Ulica - is the first word I came in contact that is in my language as well (for example), but in my language is almost archaic by now, remotely met in villages and it means village road - not street.

And a few other words, due to the interaction between our countries in middle ages, and later from the slavic influence that came through russian language during communism, but not significantly.

You might also understand a few words, not from having them in the Polish language, but from being universaly almost the same in romance languages, and thus being familiar with them through latin perhaps.
Darun   
15 Jul 2010
History / The Grunwald Battle: Today is 600th anniversary of the greatest medieval battle. [66]

The same goes for history overall. That's the problem, even if contemporary sources with the event, are available, there is hard to tell wether they are accurate or not.

The same goes for every event of this sort, for Grumwald for example, as well, as admitted above actually. I usually like to see that there are more sources than 1 or 2, and of various origins. I've posted those battles because the events were reported by many, and of various backgrounds, from Italians to Poles or even Greeks (leaving aside the major parts directly involved).

Grumwald and Mariemburg were major battles, I didn't contest that, just that they weren't the biggest, from the region perhaps but not overall. As Bartolome observed, the sources are uneven from West to East, quite unfortunate.

Just as a paranthesis: it is however a good sign, that more and more people are interested in those "unkown" events. Various countries have received the support and dedication of "objective" and well respected historians among academics, and have found in those a kind of PR officers and advocates of their histories, such as for example for Poland - Norman Davies.

We may argue as much as we want who's (battle) was bigger, but I find it a good thing even the talk about it. I'll leave you to your topic now.
Darun   
15 Jul 2010
History / The Grunwald Battle: Today is 600th anniversary of the greatest medieval battle. [66]

Good attempt Sokrates, but just an attempt.

I've given that source since it does relay on books with multiple sources, the other on grunwald being from wiki.
You give a Huniade (not recognising the name, perhaps you have the original spelling) - and only one man, and expect to believe him when there were several other historians such as the Greek Chalconydes, the Venetian envoy - Tomassi, another Italian - Tocco who placed the numbers far higher and observed the battle.

Also, if you read the article you will see some sources mentioned who somewhat agree on the numbers, and are by far bigger - the cassette with numbers seems rather alleatory written, the text giving more details. As for the 1st battle, the Pope named it the biggest battle of Christianity, and the sources of that time agreed on it - among which being also Jan Dlugosz.
Darun   
15 Jul 2010
History / The Grunwald Battle: Today is 600th anniversary of the greatest medieval battle. [66]

50.000-70.000 participants - by far the biggest medieval battle in Europe.
30.000+ heavy cavalry on both sides - biggest cavalry battle in Europe in the entire period.

Great battle indeed, but not so big.

Eg 1: The battle of Vaslui (or Podul Inalt) the biggest victory of Christianity - January 10, 1475
Participants: around 50.000 Romanians, 3.000 Hungarians, and 2.000 polish against 60.000 - 120.000 ottomans
To not say I'm biased, and also not to quote wiki:
statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Battle-of-Vaslui

Eg2: The night attack (Vlad Tepes against ottomans) - June 17th, 1462
Combatants: agreed upon - 30.000 Romanians against number most agreed upon 100.000 - 200.000 ottomans (most of the sources of that time placed the numbers of the ottomans at 200.000 - 400.000, but nowadays historians think this is impossible and agreed on the lower)

Again:
nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/The-Night-Attack
Darun   
11 May 2010
Travel / Poland to Romania (and back!) [18]

Unfortunatelly I am looking for some reasonable priced flights myself and couldn't find any for the moment. I am searching in the other direction: Bucharest to Warsaw for September. Train doesn't pay up, it's almost the same price and at a considerable amount of time in addition :(.
Darun   
29 Apr 2010
News / RUSSIA TO MAKE PUBLIC THE KATYN FILES... [274]

How we can punish an old nazi of over 80-90 years old? He is already punished by life living in fear.

You know very well that these trials keep having place, and verdicts of this sort are given. You are true about being punished by living a life in fear but it seems not enough, and the families of the victims have the possibility to demand for more.

But for Nazis we at least had a trial verdict. May be somebody already invented time machine and we are able to reverse history?

we "at least"... Jed, you are not naive and you have understood what I have ment from the start. I wasn't reffering to specific people. Like in the case of the nazis, individual convictions and trials are one thing, and recognition of some crimes by the state is another. You played the victim card saying that Russia was left to take the guilt for the soviet crimes, but unlike the other nowadays countries and ethnicities that made part willingly or not of the Soviet Union who condemned the crimes of the soviets whom ever they were at that time, Russia still is reluctant to admit that crimes took place. You expect people to see you as liberators, but how could they when the "liberation" was done most of the time through rapes and killings.

You speak of a trial, you know very well that for the Soviets was not possible for more than 50 years. Giving the argument of the winner who has to be excerpted of any judgement of its actions, you play the argumentum ad baculum in a century where it is no place for it.

You say that you preffer evolution over revolution. Nobody is talking about revolution or another war yet you feel somewhat obliged to mention it, I wonder why. Evolution can not take place through jumping over stages, trying to deny, hid or simply ignore that crimes of this magnitude have taken place on all sides is a sign of involution.

In the end, you say that we should let bygons be bygons and move forward. True, we should forgive and move forward but not forget, otherwise we move in circles. And this is what my point is all about, Russia wants everybody to forget as well. If you have been recognised heir of the Soviet Union with all its rights, then be heir with all the responsibility that comes from that past as well.
Darun   
29 Apr 2010
News / RUSSIA TO MAKE PUBLIC THE KATYN FILES... [274]

I agree with Jed, it is absurd to start actions against people who are close to their death beds.

Than the same applies for the nazi war criminals. I keep hearing how '80-'90 year old "war criminals" are discovered somewhere living a life, having a family and than sent to trial and to prison.
Darun   
29 Apr 2010
News / RUSSIA TO MAKE PUBLIC THE KATYN FILES... [274]

But it is not politically correct to remember it and now Russians are the only guilty in all those crimes

No Jed, that's the point.
The same as the nowadays Germans are not guilty for the crimes of the Nazis, the same the nowadays Russians are not responsible for the crimes of the Soviets.

But the difference is that while the Germans have condamned the crimes of the nazis and have really done impressive steps towards reconciliation, recognising the gravity of those crimes, the Russians have taken a very different approach, not recognising the magnitude of the soviet crimes and the mistakes of that time somewhat posing in victims of some anti-russian conspiracy of the present, making themselves full heirs of the soviets.

You pointed out quite well, that many from the communist leadership where of other ethnicity than russians, and the fact that Stalin had so many people killed, should be reason enought to let go of this cult for that man. It is this reluctance to differentiate from the soviets and condemn their attrocities that makes you a target for those that point fingers. Nobody has anything against Russians, but it is you who entertaint this idea by not differentiating yourselves from the soviets.

Btw, the politically correctness and the positive discrimination, to my humble opinion, are the most distructive concepts of our days. They are like powder barells just waiting to explode. Not talking about things makes no one a favor.

Even if we talk within a forum, even if at times we all get to finger pointing, blaming whining and stuf alike, we at least discuss and try to see other points as well, and even this aspect to me is a step forward.
Darun   
29 Apr 2010
News / RUSSIA TO MAKE PUBLIC THE KATYN FILES... [274]

That's a flag of Latviešu leģions aka Lettische SS-Freiwilligen-Legion. Willingly collaborated with Nazi Germany in WW2.

Sasha, many groups from all around Europe joined the SS. On many occasions people from the same country have found themselves on opposite sides, fighting one another. In many countries there were extremists, either pro-nazi, either pro-soviet and those joined accordingly.

From your answer, it seems that you are trying to justify an invasion by the acts that followed from the invaded part, to justify the cause through pointing at the results.

Concerning the Baltic States, many groups have joined nazis in the hope of liberating their countries fallen as a result of the soviet invadings. Look for example, if you don't like the Baltic states as example, look at Finland. They were considering and tried neutrality until they were invaded by the Soviets. This pushed them on the side of the Nazis.

Except groups of the ones you mentioned when given the example of Latvia, some groups who have joined either nazis or soviets out of ideological conviction, the entire countries have joined either a side or another based on their situation at that time, and except a few, most didn't quite have a real option to not join the specific side.

If not between the nazis and the soviets both invading and trying to conquer as much, perhaps the entire Europe could have rallied, and could have done so on the side of the Soviets if their intentions would have not been from the same breeding as that of the nazis. But then again, we don't know what could have happened if not for the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact - btw, who says that Hitler and Stalin together weren't responsible for starting this war, they should perhaps read the protocol -, we only know what happened, and even if at different levels, the outcome was that everybody started killing everybody.
Darun   
29 Apr 2010
News / RUSSIA TO MAKE PUBLIC THE KATYN FILES... [274]

Well, GB and France started it with declaring war on Germany. YOU started the war Seanie! So...there...

Actually it could be painfully fun to analyze this.
So, Seanus, I take it that the one who speaks first, is the looser... well considering a game. So, Stalin didn't say anything, simply invaded thus he didn't start the war. But the same did Hitler, he didn't declar it, BB is write, France and GB declared it, so they've started the war if you follow the same logic.

If you follow Churchill's logic, GB through Chamberlain is at fault for this, and so on and so forth...
Seriously, invading without declaring is not waging war is just a walk in the park... both Hitler and Stalin would have been proud.
Darun   
28 Apr 2010
News / RUSSIA TO MAKE PUBLIC THE KATYN FILES... [274]

BB, Hitler started WWII. Stalin merely reacted later and joined the war to tan Nazi hide.

Seanus, Hitler and Stalin started WWII. For western Europeans it was Hitler, ask the Baltic states who started WWII from their point of view.
They both had their own agenda, and knew that in the end they will confront but each wanted to dominate first his part of Europe. Nazi Germany waged war with the West while Soviet Russia was occupying the Baltic States. Ask Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and most of all ask Poland.

You know, Europe is not only Western Europe, it's the whole bloody continent, and Eastern Europe has a history which for so long you didn't want to hear about it.

In the end Stalin went on the side of the Allies, but this only because Hitler was too much trouble for him. You know, when there was this Anticomintern pact, Hitler and Stalin were in such good relations that a joke circulated around that Stalin was about to join the Anticomintern side.
Darun   
18 Apr 2010
News / Poland President National Mourning in Some Countries [212]

I can't see how it would compromise the systems of aircraft.

The visibility and the systems alike.
At the Superior School of Aviation in Bucharest were conducted a series of simulations the past few days, and all the systems on bord, as soon as they entered the cloud, went to the ground. A pilot who flew some missions in Kuweit and flew through some clouds of petroleum (you get the idea) after rafinaries were burnt, said it would be almost the same, and that he flew blindless, with almost no system working.

But air is not the only way, trains and cars are also an option at least for the continental countries.
Darun   
18 Apr 2010
Genealogy / Are Poles aware of Thracian aspect in original roots of Polish ethos? [69]

Kaczynski in UN: I, too, have my competencies and I am saying with severity - there will be no signature of mine on appointing an ambassador to Kosovo,"

Interesting... Why did Poland stay by Kosovo side at the International Court of Justice against Serbia?
Darun   
18 Apr 2010
News / Poland President National Mourning in Some Countries [212]

Darun, and
Sasha
In geopolitical terms, Russia can not have friends and it is not able to get friends.

I know, this is why I answered to Sasha and made the distinction between politics and people's feelings. Genuine feelings of Russians towards Polish and otherway around, are not to be confused with politics and more so with geopolitical games.
Darun   
18 Apr 2010
News / Poland President National Mourning in Some Countries [212]

Or?.. what do you mean, Valentin?

It was ment from the political point of view, not from the two peoples approach at personal level. But even that will change, the cooperation between the two countries is becoming stronger by day and the wounds seem to seal.
Darun   
18 Apr 2010
News / Poland President National Mourning in Some Countries [212]

This Sunday is a mourning day here in Romania. Besides, the TV channels (news) broadcast live from Krakow

I paid my respects as well on Monday. I went at the Polish Embassy here in Bucharest, lit a candlle and put some flowers. I wanted to upload a picture here to show you how Romanians have paid their respects, in front of the Embassy, the entire wall and the street in front of it was covered in flowers and candles.

Yesterday, at the Polish language class I am attending, our teachers was dressed in black and we talked about the accident and how it was perceived here as well.
Darun   
18 Apr 2010
News / Poland President National Mourning in Some Countries [212]

We have the aeroports closed as well, even most of the flights from Bucharest are cancelled. Our president had gone by car travelling trough Hungaria and Slovakia. I am surprissed that Germany had cancelled as it is much closer.
Darun   
11 Apr 2010
News / Poland President National Mourning in Some Countries [212]

Did Germany do the same? Or Czech Republic or Sweden?

They expressed their condolences, and THAT is a part of protocol, but didn't announce
national mourning.

I think they will, just give them one more day.

In my country, monday was announced a mourning day. We don't have a big Polish community compared to others but it is considered a sign of respect to the sorrow of a nation we consider a close friend.

I was supposed to go tommorow at the Polish Cultural Institute here to get a letter for my Erasmus file, but most probably it will be closed, but I will go and pay my respects and light a candle at the embassy as well.
Darun   
8 Apr 2010
Study / Any Erasmus students in Poland? [16]

Hello,

Are there any current or former Erasmus students in Poland on this forum? If there are, please share your experiances with us.
Personally I would like to know where did you go to study (city, university), what subjects, where are you from, how was your staying, how were the teachers, the coleagues, anything you think is worth mentioning either good or bad, any tips, advices, etc.

Also, if there are any wanna-be's Erasmus with the destination Poland please share with us your future plans.

Seriously???!!

No current or former Erasmus student who went to Poland? None to share experience?

At least are there any students at the University of Warsaw who could and would shed some light on the student dormitories, accomodation tips, impressions about the University, etc. anything that could be of use?

Common, don't be shy.
Darun   
7 Apr 2010
Life / How would you describe the Polish sense of humour? [66]

Yes,French are quite funny.The same style with german humour but not so sadistic.

I am curious how the german humour is, I think ours (romanian) is pretty sadistic and black at times, but of course it is extremly self-ironic most of the times.

Can someone post some jokes specific for polish people, russian and german?
Darun   
28 Mar 2010
History / What connects Poland with Vlad Impaler or to say Vlad Tepes or simple Dracula [43]

I got the point Crow, and I would have actually liked to see a whole thread dedicated to the Order of the Dragon, is quite interesting topic. I just didn't like the fact that you mixed things, Vlad was not a Slav and fought not for the glory of the Slavic world but for Christianity in its whole. Of course at that time the Slavs fought for the same purpose, yet if you want to stress out only the Slavic aspect leave Vlad and Cantemir for that matter out - they were part of the Dragon who was indeed of Slavic heritage, but that's about it, and yes, if you want to look at it like that - in order to revert to the title - that would be the only connection between Vlad and Poland :).

Since we're at it, what happened to the Order? Was it dissmantled, was it kept alive up to our days or what?