Communism

My own first contact with Polish Communism was around a year before it failed in Poland and Solidarity came to the fore. Before this time I had some experience of soviet Russia, Romania and very little else. My wife is a product of the communist era and over our twelve years of married life, I have learnt much of what was precious in communist Poland.

Pre-Solidarity Poland was a very gray place, gray buildings, particularly in Warsaw where the whole city had been flattened, gray people, particularly in the major cities. In the country areas, things were much more sociable. I would suggest it came from the barter and sharing of food, If someone in the village killed a pig, they would swap parts of it for potatoes or bread or even petrol in some cases.

This sharing also included things such as music in the form of records, particularly Western groups, the Beatles, Rolling Stones and most of the other popular groups and singers. If someone had sneaked a copy into the country then there would be 100’s of taped copies made of it. The original remained a very prized item.

My experience leads me to believe that in adversity or communism people were more sociable and willing to share and help. Many of the older generation comment that capitalism is an improvement but the interaction between people has become more selfish and based on acquiring wealth and positions.

Although the Poles had never been communists in the true sense of the word, Russian being taught in schools as a second language, with some schools offering German as well. Nowadays many of the older Poles do not tend to think of the Russians as occupiers, although still value the freedom, the result of their leaving the country.

One notable legacy of communism are the very ugly statues which abound nearly every city in Poland. The larger cities have changed or demolished some of the worst. The example above is in the main thoroughfare of Opole, the city I reside in.  It depicts an lady on the back of a bull, we think! This is the premier statue in the city, what a pity that the ceremonies for the fallen in war, Polish National holidays have to be celebrated in front of this terrible monolith. Local tourist shops even sell postcards of it.

The Polish education system, which hasn't’t changed drastically, was very good, the main limitations being the lack or minimal scientific equipment and very old books, handed from pupil to pupil over the years. I had occasion to lecture at some schools and universities, I found the students had a thirst for knowledge; largely this thirst remains to this day.

Although Poland produced a large volume of food, most of the better quality went to Russia, along with Coal from Silesia. Stalin built the Palace of Culture in the cent er of Warsaw as a present to the Polish people, Poles still comment on it today being paid for by their fruit, vegetable and meat.

There were quite a few shops and Kiosks, generally people would buy and eat food on the same day, as they didn’t know if there would be anything in the shop the next day. Even into 1989, there were many shortages. I recollect going into a village shop with large hoarding's outside advertising Marlborough, West and other cigarette brands. Being a queue, I waited at the back of what appeared to be a 60-meter line of hats and head scarves.

Once I got to the front, I asked proshe Marlboro, Ogorek was the reply, Proshe Marlboro Bardzo Proshe, OGOREK blasted back at me and the woman behind the counter indicated I should go. Ogorek is actually cucumber. I found out that the shop only opened when it had something to sell and they had just had a delivery of cucumber which had by then sold out, the shop had closed and everyone gone home. The shop had not had any cigarettes for six months!

The most famed shops under communism were the Pewex shops, although beyond the reach of poorer poles, every sizable town had one, and they were created to sell imported products to westerners or locals with foreign currency. They sold western radios’ jeans and perfumes, but were much underused.

Once the Russian troops began leaving Poland became like the Wild West, and decent cars were loaded onto a tank transporters or in the back of a Russian Army Trucks. When the owner complained, then a gun would be produced and the remonstration would stop.

This was quite widespread but limited by the amount of decent cars. At that time, permission had to be obtained to buy a car and depending on area, this could take years to obtain. From my observations 90% of the cars were very small Fiats (Fiat 500), Polonaise, (a polish build very basic car), or Lada, pronounced Wada, (Russian version of a very old Fiat).

One very interesting anecdote of this time came to me when I attended an open market in Tarnow, the West of Poland. Together with the usual fruit and vegetables and home ware many stalls were selling Russian Army Great Coats, Kalashnikov’s Rifles, (New 25$, second hand 15$), pistols, knives and virtually anything up to a tank.  Most of the Russian Soldiers had sold their army equipment before going home. I am pleased to say they the coats were the most popular item on this particular stall.

I also remember a Lada estate car being parked in the Market, it seemed like something inside was alive as it was rocking and bouncing on its poor suspension. I stood and waited for a while and the back door opened and a couple got out. The man went on his way, shortly after another girl and gentlemen got into the back. These were girls of the night plying their trade from the back of a very rusty old estate car, (station wagon of sorts). 

Even well into democracy, some of the problems of communism are still present, an example follows. My driver came to me in early 2002 and enthusiastically informed me he “had his telephone line installed”. “Why should you be so very happy at that?” I asked.” Because I have been waiting for six years for the line and number”. “Great” I said, “give me your number and I can call you”.  “You can’t call me boss”,” why?" Said I,” because I have to wait another six months for my telephone”. This is just an example of the legacy of communism.

Many Polish people feel that things were far more secure under the communist system and there are still a minority, particularly older people living in the countryside who would welcome it back. Although there were some good things about communism. Mothers about to give birth were given a pram, clothing and food for the imminent arrival. Everyone had healthcare education a job  and a pension.

There are many democratic countries which do not have health care and education for everyone even today.

Perhaps the long term legacy of communism is still slowly diminishing in Polish society, the corruption, unfairness and problems in the economy have diminished, although in the minds of most Polish people will be with us for several generations to come.