Poland Marches Ahead

T

here’s such energy; a light spring in the step of so many of the youth whom I see out in numbers here in the University town of Krakow. There’s also literally hundreds of groups of school-children, walking contentedly in long lines visiting places of national importance; perhaps more interestingly, the children sit quietly taking in all that their teacher is saying.

Walking up to Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral
Walking up to Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral

Poland has known such suffering, conquered so many times and being forced to live under brutal occupation, but never to suppress the fire that kept the human spirit burning.

I/we know little about this in the West. We know so much more about the horrors of the Holocaust; but nothing of the more than two million Catholic Poles who were killed by the Nazis for hiding or sympathising with the Jewish people. So more the elation in seeing the young rising to the opportunities that present themselves in this new 21st century of Freedom.

I

n Warsaw, the streets were hung with a festive red and white bunting in preparation for the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of the Polish people regaining their Freedom from the dehumanising yoke of Communism in 1989. There was also grateful recognition of their great Polish Patriot, the recently canonised St John Paul II, who, during his Papacy and visits to Poland, did much to bolster the people’s faith, and work to bring an end to Communist rule.

A visit of the US President was part of the celebration, and an opportunity for him to meet with the new, freely elected President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko. It is hoped that Ukraine might draw strength from the Polish experience, and rebuild their nation, outside the influences of Russia and Communism, into a thriving democratic country.

The Black Madonna sits above an Altar of ebony and silver donated by the Grand Chancellor George Ossoliński in 1650.
The Black Madonna sits above an Altar of ebony and silver donated by the Grand Chancellor George Ossoliński in 1650.
Dominican Sister Karolin makes a wonderful guide showing Edmundo and me through The Monastery of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa
Dominican Sister Karolin makes a wonderful guide showing Edmundo and me through The Monastery of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa
Click to see the photo album of our visit to The Monastery of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, Poland

Click here to see the  photo album of our stay in Krakow.

Click to see the photo album of our visit to Warsaw, Poland

While on the road, I find time to add captions to the photos in the albums. Hopefully, these captions will provide the outline of a story that gives you some idea of what we are experiencing.

Five hours on my feet at this stage
Five hours on my feet at this stage

2 Responses to Poland Marches Ahead

  • Duncan Vancouver
    A wonderful, colourful and atmospheric album, Michael! I enjoy so much your "city photo walks" in Europe! Great pictures from amazing cities! I've been following your journeys ever since I added you on google+ about 2 years ago. I'm not commenting very often, but I regularly check out your older and newer albums. You've got a great collection of exciting destinations, Michael, and it's always interesting for me to browse through your galleries! As to your albums to come, take your time! It's even "sweeter" when they are being posted little by little at a slower pace thus guaranteeing not to be missed or overlooked by the viewers! At least that is what I do with mine :) Best regards from Vancouver
    Reply
    • Michael Mus
      Duncan, I used to put all my effort into my blog, but I found that far too onerous while 'on the road' travelling. Facebook is a lot easier, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. My poor blog suffers as a result because it doesn’t get the spontaneous posts as of old. Thanks for your words. M
      Reply

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