As our time in Poland slowly comes to an end, our educational journey continued in Warsaw. Before we headed to Bialystok, we spent four enlightening days in Warsaw, a city that captivated me not only visually but educationally. Among the variety of experiences we had throughout the trip so far, these two encounters truly stood out to me - meeting Janusz Waledzik, a 94 year old hero from the 1944 Warsaw Uprising.
The Warsaw Uprising was a vital event that occurred during World War 2, where the Polish resistance tried to free Warsaw from the control of the Germans. Janusz Waledzik shared his visual stories during a crucial moment in Polands’ history. Janusz Waledzik built a bridge from the history textbooks to his real life experiences. After he shared his story, Janusz Waledzik showed us some artifacts from the Uprising, each with a story behind each artifact. From helmets worn on the Polish side to a helmet taken from Nazi soldiers where they added the Polish flag on the front next to the Nazi symbol, to a Nazi belt buckle and a small pistol, photos and medals. These artifacts allowed us to experience history in a touching way, leaving a lasting impact on myself.
Before we left Warsaw, we went to the Uprising Museum, a wealth of knowing about the Polish resistance against the Germans. The museum helped me explore just how complex the Uprising with its victories and challenges for all that fought for Polands’ freedom. The city of Warsaw was a historical journey, that fulfilled us with knowledge. Through encounters with individuals like Janusz Waledzik and visiting the Uprising museum, we are were able to connect with the past in a deep and meaningful manner.
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