Most of the world knows that Lech Walesa had a special role in turning over communism in Europe. I like to think that the demise of communism in all Eastern Block countries started from his heroic jump over the Gdansk shipyard fence. I am not going to write about Polish history of the 1980ies. I was not even in Poland then. I left the country 15 years earlier and all events of the times were as difficult to understand for me as for any other Australian. I went back to Poland in 2004. It was the day of Poland becoming a part European Union. One may say that I left a communistic country and returned to a true European one. It was a huge gap to fill in with the knowledge of the events and political and social transformation of Poland. I have not closed the gap yet and perhaps never will close it properly. When I came back to Poland I came to live in Gdansk, Walesa’s town. The town where most of the transformation events took place.
From my place I could see the cranes of the Gdansk shipyard. I did not like them at first, they are not that beautiful after all. I always liked old churches, castles and palaces for their beauty. Shipyard cranes? No, this was not what I would consider of any interest to me. But, this has changed with time and when I pass them now my heart jumps a bit. Jumps with gratitude and admiration for all the people who worked, fought there and even died. And this gratitude is directed to Lech Walesa above all others.
Walesa is recognised in the world and his Nobel price considered as well deserved. Not so in Poland. His position and reputation is not that of a hero. He is despised by big percentage of Poles and considered an enemy #1 by the current Solidarity. The same Solidarity Union he made famous in the world and the force he lead through the difficult days of strikes, deadly fights with militia, negotiations with the communistic government and finally to the victory. These days, at August anniversaries of Solidarity, he is a lonely man, coming early in the morning to lay flowers at the Three Crosses of Fallen Shipyard Workers. He would be abused if he tried to join official celebrations later on in the day. Lech Walesa co-founder and the first chairman of the “S” - Solidarity is now seen as the enemy of shipyard workers by a big percentage of Poles.
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| Three Crosses Monument in front of the main entrance to the Gdansk Shipyard |
I still wonder how it is possible to ignore his past and twist facts around. Of course he is not a saint and he is very outspoken when expressing his views. His criticism of people and events, he does not approve of, is violent and his choice of words unmercifully hurtful. He has raffled many fathers of politicians with different views to his own. He is also an easy target to criticise as he is not a cultured man. He makes many, sometimes funny, mistakes in his speeches and interviews. But he is not a shy man and he voices his opinions loudly and provocatively. Having a week spot for him, even I find him at times embarrassing. But he is still my imperfect hero.
Walesa. Man of Hope a new film directed by Andrzej Wajda opened in Poland in September. I would very much like to see it and hope it will be screened in Australia some day or I must see it when in Poland. The film has been selected as an Oscar candidate for the best foreign-language film. I will keep my fingers crossed even if I do not give the film great chances. However The Guardian review is positive.
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/11/walesa-london-film-festival-review-nobel-peace-prize
