Category: English

My Rocks

by: Bogumil Pacak-Gamalski

My rocks. Rocks that were placed many, many years ago alongside the shore of a narrow channel separating Halifax and Dartmouth and connecting Bedford Basin with the ocean. Massive rocks, powerful, buttressing the shore against natural erosion.  Making the narrow but very deep waterway safe to navigate by small and humongous boats, ships of commerce and ships of war. When I moved to Nova Scotia with my amazing husband, we started living right on the edge of these rocks. That’s how they become ‘my’. Silent and soothing companions of my hundreds of walks, short and long ones, during day and at very late evenings, some right into the night.

My rocks. As they were. My support, my anchors; indeed my rocks. Perhaps witnesses to my last stage of my beautiful Canadian journey.  From the blue skies of the Prairies  and towering peaks of Rocky Mountains, through amazingly beautiful Pacific Coast and equally amazing city of Vancouver – home to many exhilarating years of my life journey with John, my husband and lover – to the old shores of where Canada begun. Atlantic shores of Nova Scotia, it’s Acadian past, it’s Celtic and Scottish past, it’s Black settlement past. As Vancouver is an epitome of future and rapid change, Halifax is it’s opposite: anchored in the past. And it would be sad and detrimental if it would change. The past is the most important jewel of Halifax, alongside the rugged beauty of the province’s nature.

My beautiful Canadian journey, or  journey through my beautiful Canada. Country that grew and aged , as I grew and aged. Don’t know – other that from talks with older Canadians and many, many historical books and accounts of history – any other Canada, neither colonial nor Dominion years. The country was born exactly as I came to it. At the beginning of the 1980’, when the late Pierre Trudeau finally brought the North America Act (basis of Canadian Constitution) from London to Ottawa. We become a new fully sovereign and independent nation and state. It’s hard to imagine and fully comprehend today – but all my Canadian compatriots of my age (and many thousands younger two decades) were not born in sovereign and independent state. They were born in British Dominion. I know only free Canada, independent. My home that never belonged to any other country. I belongs only to us: Canadians.

Canada – my rock. Country were I found my life’s love just few years after landing on a snowy evening in Calgary. My love to young Canadian with rich Canadian history reaching hundreds of years of his family’s roots exactly in Nova Scotia. I forgave him that he was born as a Dominion subject of foreign country, ha, ha.  We never suspected at that time, that we would ever end up in Nova Scotia. The West was his and my home. And the West was a force at that time. It was growing, expanding. We had the Rockies, powerful rivers that were originating right in our background, in the ancient icefields of Athabasca. These rivers – the only place in the world – fed three oceans! Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic.

From Alberta we went across the marvelous Rockies to Vancouver and lived there for quarter of a century. In the meantime I travelled all over Canada, eager to get to know my new homeland and its people. From Newfoundland to Yukon. I liked what I saw. I liked the people. They were warm and hardworking. Respectful. Tolerant.  For a guy, who came here from a Soviet-dominated country, who was openly gay (at that time being gay was not the most ‘convenient’ way of being …) – that meant a lot. I know what it means being persecuted or not tolerated. What it means trying to hide your own self or face scorn, perhaps violence. Canadians were not perfect, sometimes they were a bit … how to say … parochial? But they were trying to understand. They were good folks. All these years – they were. Good folks. Changing, learning along the way. Keeping up with changing times  and world oscillating from good ol’ tolerance to much more powerful and encompassing empathy. After all – tolerating someone is really not the same as accepting someone as equal.

Pictures above from years before 2022

Suddenly something happened. Something we didn’t expect. None really, nowhere.

In the United States – our neighbour and powerful cousin – Americans elected new president. Donald Trump. The world will never be the same. The world, not only US or (because of our proximity) Canada. Suddenly everything was possible. Every sewer, every swindle, lie, every vulgarity become something normal. The gutter moved to the bedrooms and the salons. To the highest Office.

America is said to have changed after 9/11. That’s true. But not as much as it has changed during and after Trump. 9/11 – as tragic and painful as it was – brought Americans together. Trump divided Americans.

Every self-serving ignorant, every self-absorbed arrogant, every fascist climbed out from under the rock and become important, loud, demanding. Or simply taking ‘his’ by force, with gun, with the power of a heavy boot. His and her freedom. No, not Freedom per se. His freedom and her freedom.

And what is freedom? Political and personal freedom? Why was it important for Canadians in the 1980 to take the full and total responsibility of Canada in Canadians hands? Why the same Americans (really at that time absolutely the same as those settling in Nova Scotia, Upper  and Lower Canadas) rebelled against the British Crown in 1812? Why in 1980 the Poles rebelled against the Soviet ‘care’ (I am proud to have taken small, but important in my region, part for that early rebellion of Solidarity)? Did we all and separately wanted to establish our own Polands, Canadas, Americas? Built on our own, personal and individual visions? No. It doesn’t work like that. Unless you are living on unpopulated island. No, we wanted to build a country based on modern democracy with fundamental rights and responsibilities. Rights and responsibilities based on the wishes of majority. Not a majority in a village, or town, or province. Majority of the entire country.  We have established Offices and Institution independent of political parties to supervise these elections. We have agreed that yes, each election time there will be victorious groups and , yes – groups of losers. Until the next election, when every political Seat of Power could be won again (or lost again). We have also established ways that each one of us can contest the results as unfair or skewed.  Again – there are non-political bodies and Offices that will look into our grievances if they merit any action. Up to and including making the entire election void and fraudulent and calling a new one. We can’t guarantee that an armed and well organized group would not organized a coup and take political and military power in their hands. Just tried to be mindful and ready for it. The same as we can’t guarantee that anyone of us would never be robbed or even murdered. Generally speaking that’s how Canadas, Polands and Americas work.  In a democratic world.  In the America they had one big hiccup at the beginning – the South wanted to leave the Union and Civil War begun. The South lost. The Union prevailed. Period.

Huge majority of Poles, Canadians, Americans, French and others accept it. I guess, one could run a lottery for government and parliamentary seats. But majority (again the bloody inconvenient majority …) decided that the risk is too big and we are stuck with the elections. That’s how it works. Or how it worked.

Until that day. The day Trump won. But especially the day Trump lost.

Because trumps don’t like to lose. They will lie, they will cheat, they will kick and scream and never accept a defeat. Churchill once roared to the Brits: we shall never surrender! But it was a war with a foreign aggressor. And Churchill won last election, was not running for new one. He was leading his entire, not divided, nation to arms against a mortal enemy.

Trump did not faced invasion of foreign armies. He faced his own nation. A nation that told him: no, thank you. Enough. He did try all the possible legal and lawful ways to claim fraudulent election. And lost in every instance as the election was fair. But trumps accept rules only when they suit them, help them. Otherwise rules  are simply an obstacle. Obstacle that needs to be destroyed. He knew that during the past four years he has awaken the self-serving ignorant, every self-absorbed arrogant, every fascist  from under the rock. He told them so many times: f..k the establishment! you are the ruler of your own dominion, you are the master (master! – their favorite name). He gave rise to the sewers and the sewers overflowed on the Capitol Hill.  Caesar Nero burned Roman Capitol Hill. Trump covered Washington’s Capitol Hill with excrement.  

If it happened in some other small country, the world would only shrugged its collective arms. And would continue going as a day before. But it was America. Country with enormous persuasion. The ignorant/arrogant sewer was awaken everywhere in North America, in Europe, in South America. Few years later that sewer spilled in Ottawa, on our Capitol Hill. Because people didn’t like wearing masks and taking vaccines! Yes, seemingly normal people (plus highly paid US-supported trumpists) decided that they are not going to be held hostage to some inconvenient sanitary rules to save thousands of lives of other fellow Canadians. That they don’t give a s…t if they spread the virus to someone, who will die. It wasn’t their problem. It was the self-arrogant and self-ignorant Canadian. The one, who listened to the conspiracy theories instead of the best medical and scientific minds of the world. No, they were not going to be some ,Muslim terrorists’ wearing masks!  I will not comment on that awful (that I have heard personally)  racist ‘Muslim’ argument. Besides – they are suffocating in these masks! Although not a single reported incident of anyone suffocating to death in these masks was reported, but … . But it was against their freedom.

What were we saying about the freedoms and responsibilities? That one exist only in tandem with the other? Hmmm. The sewer in Ottawa flew for much longer than the sewer in Washington. It ended with Canadian version of Martial Law.  Most of the cases of arrested leaders and conspirators have not gone through courts yet. Some Canadian established political leaders wanted even to capitalize on that stench of sewer and mingled among the Brigade of Destruction soldiers. Soldiers of self-righteousness, arrogance.

There was one more element introduced by Trump to the relatively normal and civil discourse. It was greed. Achieving financial gains not as a result of work, talent, prudence, but as a result of being void of any ethics – personal greed.

The pandemic has overblown it and inflation resulted from the pandemic and war in Ukraine followed. But not only. Almost all large corporations, private and public , decided to face and combat the inflation for their personal gain. Prices went up everywhere almost automatic. Well above any inflationary rates. If an owner of rented apartment paid five dollars more for a pound of carrots – next month the owner charged the tenant two or three hundred more for the rent. Just in case the carrots went up again by a dollar or two … .  Big grocery chains made millions of profits above the pre-inflationary profits. The list goes on and on.  

Canada today is not the same Canada I knew. Not the one I love.  Maybe other countries changed for the worse, too. I don’t know. If they did, it doesn’t give me any solace. I suspect not all did as much as Canada, though. The social/welfare state is much stronger in majority of European countries. Always was. Therefore I suspect the  poorest one there are still being looked after better than here. I see homelessness and downtrodden everywhere in Halifax. Much more than three or four years ago. Almost left totally to their own devices, which they have very little for obvious reasons.  With rise of poverty – other vices rise too. They affect the more fortunate also. It affects all of us. Mentally, physically. At a time, when help is very scarce.

What it has to do with my rocks? A lot. They changed too. Often, I pretend I don’t notice it. Turn my head the other way. Pretend they are as supportive as before. That they are still my buttress against the forces of nature.

I used to go on my walks always with my camera ready. Hence, on my social portals you probably have seen hundreds of photos of similar views of Halifax, bridges and Bedford taken from My Rocks. Always a bit different angle, light, detail.  But from the same trail. Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring. Five years.

Well, today the camera took different pictures. From the same trail. Post-trump time. Time of self-indulgent arrogance, ignorance. Time of poverty, homelessness. And time of simply: I don’t give a s…t, it isn’t my problem. Sad.

Until it becomes your problem, until you start again giving a s…t, until you notice that personal greed does not make you richer but poorer as a person – it will not get better. There is not enough money in all of Canada to satisfy completely everyone. Just as there is only one winner in every election. 

I miss my Canada I fell in love with many decades ago.  Can we please  try to bring some of it back …

I just lost my most precious, personal love of my life. It is hard to wake up every day. But when I do get up, it would be so nice to go to my Rocks for a nice walk.  To admire the rugged beauty of the shore, the vistas of Halifax, our bridges, to reminiscence the beauty of Pacific and Vancouver, the peaks and valleys of the Rockies. Most of all to remember and admire the good people of Canada, our Canada. My folks, good folks.

“Freedom’ (their freedom, not ours) Convoy; Emergencies Act; Federal Inquiry – in search for answers

Of course – sunsets, sunrises, shapes of air and water, shadows of land are important. Who knows? Maybe they are the most important or even the only things important, when everything is counted and done? Who knows?

But time and again, we are reminded that politics (local and national and international) do have a power (often used) to invade our pristine soulful life.  And I am reminded that I am a political animal. Always was. Since the time I was fourteen or fifteen and typed on a manual typewriter (with  carbon papers to fill as many pages as possible) anti-government (at that time it was anti-communist) slogans. Later I would personally visit as many as possible press clubs in Warsaw (they were called Empiki –  clubs to read free of charge national and international newspapers) and insert these subversive texts  between pages of popular periodicals. They didn’t use cameras at that time in public spaces as they do now everywhere, LOL. I was not afraid that someone might denounce me – that work was mine alone, a lonely wolf. Organized anti-government work came few years later, in the “Solidarity’ movement.

For the past forty five-odd years I do the same. But openly, under my name. In press, on social  (as this one) channels, in various organizations, different roles. But mostly as the lonely wolf again. Don’t trust governments and politicians. But do trust independent judiciary and legal system. Independent, public commissions, inquiries.

For some weeks now, I observe with full attention the Federal Inquiry on the recent use of Emergency Act (what used to be called War Measurer Act).  We all lived through it. We all were (to a point) traumatized, when it happened and traumatized by the events that led to it. I will not list events that led to it. At that time, as majority of Canadians, I strongly supported it and believed that all possible other resources and actions failed to bring resolution to the situation and it could not be allowed to continue anymore.

photo by Brett Gundlock for CBC News, from Wikimedia Commons

That it is not to say that I was happy to see it used. It is a tragedy, when a government is forced (or otherwise makes that choice) to suspend certain (or possibly most) freedoms of citizens.  According to what we all witnessed through TV channels, all mass media, pictures, videos, live reporting – all regular levels of security and policing (local, provincial and federal) failed and were powerless to stop the anarchy. Stakes were extremely high on national and international levels (blockades of extremely important border-crossings with USA). Tensions were raising.

But, when the dust settles, one needs more answers. More than just news reports and live coverage. Were all possible resources used, were all policing and enforcing applied using regular laws and Acts? Just because a politician say so – is not good enough.   The Inquiry itself is a good thing and it is very good that the Inquiry has to happen whether the government or Opposition wants to or not.  Such Inquiry is part of the Act and has to happen every time the Act is invoked. That is very good. It speaks volumes of the maturity of our democracy in Canada.

Until now majority of witnesses were police commanders or high ranking police officers from city (Ottawa), Province (Ontario’s OPP) and neighboring similar agencies. It proves to be interesting. The police officers tend to be … hmmm, full of themselves. Probably a mental professional luggage. We had a good plan! It could have worked! The other (read: Ottawa Police) force was disorganized, not us (read: Provincial Police)! If we had more time or intelligence we would not failed! Yes, the Act was helpful, but telling the truth we could have achieved the same using existing, regular laws! At times I have hard times to comprehend their statements. Is is possible that their memory is so fragile or do they portray another reality? Only when pressed by questions of legal counsels, the self-assurance weakens, softens. Or crumbles altogether.  This time a recorded history of events, cameras and reporting helps. You could have had … but you didn’t. That is a fact. Not an opinion. It is possible that you would have finished it. But when? After a fire bombs would start exploding? Remember that each of the huge trailers were full of gasoline, not water. After street fights between terrorized citizens of Ottawa and bands of ‘freedom fighters’? After someone would have died? There was a plan but … . But it didn’t work Mr. Commander or it couldn’t work. Otherwise there would be no Emergency Act and no Inquiry.

I find it very disrespectful of Canadians that premier of Ontario, Doug Ford refuses to testify. There is a legal battle now, whether he can be forced (as the Inquiry demands). One of the most important politician, premier of the province where it was happening. One, who endorsed the Act. But now it is inconvenient politically to enrage fellow right-wingers?

Politicians should testify as it is the politicians, who make the decisions, not the commissioners of Police Forces. Looking forward to hear from PM Trudeau and other federal ministers. They already said that they will absolutely testify. Hopefully other ones, too. In order to learn, to avoid unnecessary use of the Act in the future.  It should always be the last resort, not a convenient way to settle political discontent. Despite my own understanding that the Act was at this time right answer (perhaps it should have even be used earlier) to the situation – I am also open to the possibility that it wasn’t necessary, that other solutions existed. And as a citizen I have a right to know it. After all, any extraordinary suspension of any freedom is a very dangerous proposition.

That the ‘Freedom Convoy’ was a disgusting  display of arrogance and an assault on Canada, our democracy, our institutions is clear to me beyond any doubt. But whether a right tool was used to squash it – is not a forgone conclusion, yet.

Of clouds, water and land – travels with camera on East coast of Nova Scotia

by Bogumil Pacak-Gamalski

One of my favored trips in Nova Scotia always involved the Eastern coast. The old highway 207 (via Portland Street in Dartmouth) will take you alongside very picturesque coastline, countless little communities and unparalleled vistas of little and large bays, coves dotted by little rocky islands.  It starts with the western end  of wonderful salt marshes of Call Harbour  (on the edge, but still in Dartmouth) and one of the best beaches in Greater Halifax – the Haven Beach with open view of huge Cow Bay.

Continuing on the windy, forested highway 207, on the outskirts of Western  Lawrencetown, you have to keep an open eye for a small road toward the ocean – Conrad Road. It will take you to an absolute jewel of amazing ecosystem of lakes, marshes, sand dunes and, yes, wonderful, sandy beach.  Access could be difficult, as there is really no parking spots and you simply have to park on the side of narrow road and during summer time it could be a long walk to the entrance to the beach via long, wooden walkway. Perhaps for the best. It is a delicate ecosystem and constant crowds of tourists could easily do serious damage to the shoreline.  Also, there is no sign directing from the highway to the beach (I suspect the locals took care of it, as I remember from previous years, there was one), so watch out for that small street signage. This is my favorite spot for relaxing walks, swims. A bit further, right of the edge of the highway, is a long, rocky beach – paradise for surfers and surfer-paragliders. Sometime just watching the colourful sails as they zigzag the blue sky is an adventure in itself.

From Lawrencetown you drive up through  old Acadian (French) settlements of West Chezzetcook and Head of Chezzetcook, where you join the Highway 7. Continue to Musquodoboit Harbour and stop by the old Railway Station (now a museum) to take a short walk. Avail yourself of wonderful local ice cream by the Station or a lunch opposite the station.  On the edge of the small centre (almost opposite the station) take a right turn into E. Pestpeswick Road, follow the churches steeples to the very end of the road (few miles) and end up on another beautiful beach – Martinique Beach. You will know where to stop – right under the huge rainbow flag of a big guesthouse.  Well, you will stop there anyway – unless your car is a mini submarine – the road ends basically where the ocean begins.

From Martinique Beach, via the same  highway (no other choice anyway), continue to next heaven for beach lovers. That one is my absolutely favored from all of the beaches in Nova Scotia. And there is plenty of them on all sides of this hybrid of an island and peninsula, which forms Nova Scotia. That part of the journey is long, but worthwhile. All the way to community of  Spry Bay. Right past Spry Bay is an entrance (visibly marked) to Taylor Provincial Park. Follow the road to wooded but well marked entrances to parking spots and down you go to gorgeous sandy beach. It is one of best, sheltered by natural harbour waters on the coast. One end forms rocky formations as smooth as almost man-made – the other is endless sand and sandy bottoms of the sheltered bay. Waters are usually a bit warmer there, than elsewhere.

If you had enough for one day and want to go back to Dartmouth/Halifax, take the first exit, in industrial town Sheet Harbour, when you reach wonderful East River entering the ocean. Just before the bridge is highway 224 that can take you through the heart of a valley forming the centre of Nova Scotia, with many farming communities. Follow it to Shubenacadie (close to large Mi’kmaq indigenous clan and site of former infamous Residential School) and take large, four lane highway 102 that will take you quickly right back to Dartmouth and Halifax. Or, on the other side of the bridge take 374. I prefer the latter, as it takes you  across amazing wilderness – watch out for large animals, I encountered there very close a bear once – straight to Pictou County and historic towns of Stellarton, New Glasgow and at the end, to the county’s capital, historic town of Pictou. That end of Nova Scotia was settled from here thanks to the natural harbour. To this day many descendants of first sailing ship “Hector” live there. One of them is my husband. After living most of our lives in westernmost provinces of Canada (Alberta and British Columbia) – we moved here few years back.

But if you continue on the same highway 7 past Sheet Harbour, you will reach very remote communities with their undeniable rugged charm.  From now on there is no other highways or roads. Small, little gravel roads will take you to nowhere in the wilderness. Eventually, around community of Stillwater, the road will take you sharply to the west, along many wonderful lakes and forested hills. Follow it straight to one of most picturesque town of Antigonish, site of St. Francis Xavier University. The university and absolutely breathtaking maze of bays, coves and multitudes of little islands in them, makes the otherwise little town a gem of the northern coast. 

Modern  and very comfortable highway 104 will take you from there to New Glasgow in Pictou County and up, toward New Brunswick border and city of Truro, where you will join highway 102 to Halifax.  I have taken that trip once in one day. It is possible. But impossible to have time to enjoy the sites, the scenery, beaches. To have an opportunity to really absorb it all – I suggest minimum of two nights stay during the travel.

From my many travels on this highways, I have picked few pictures (from hundreds taken, of course – sometime I long to the times of old cameras with roll of film, when the limits of the shots were very limited. Making the ‘click’ was not as an automatic decision as it is now, LOL) to show the different way the land, the water and the sky interfere with each other. Some are of wide horizon, some of tiny detail. Hope they will portray the sense and taste of the Eastern shore of Nova Scotia and the gems it has to offer.

A walk in memory of my Queen

by Bogumil Pacak-Gamalski

There is very few Canadians, who remember in their lifetime, any other Canadian Queen. Our monarch and constitutional Head of State. Elizabeth II – the only monarch I had, having been born and raised in a country that was a republic. At that time no less than a communist republic. That was also long ago.

There is millions of Canadians now, who have no special connection to the monarchy. They or their parents came here long after the 2nd world war. The last time Canadian soldiers actually fought for king and believed they did so not for Canada alone, but for the king, too. It was important for them, had an actual meaning. Canada in 1939 was actually still a Dominion, not even a fully sovereign country.

However, when I took an oath to become a citizen of Canada – I took an oath of a sovereign Canadian State and I pledged my loyalty not as a Dominion subject to a British Monarch. No, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau must have been aware that I would not have like it.

I landed in Canada in frosty evening on February 1982. A month later, in March, Pierre Trudeau passed a Bill in our Parliament establishing a full repatriation of our Constitution from London and full sovereignty of Canada. Elizabeth II proclaimed this sovereignty in April of that year. That meant a lot to me. I do take oaths and pledges seriously. I wanted to live in Canada, not in a dominion of another country. And if Canada was a constitutional monarchy, I wanted to have a Canadian monarch. That our monarch, for undeniable and absolutely valid historical reasons, is also a British monarch and resides permanently in London (the one in Britain, not in Ontario) doesn’t bother me. I’m satisfied that the monarch’s General and Lieutenants Governors do represent the monarch well and are willing to constitutionally stop elected politicians from forming autocratic or tyrannical power. And every Canadian prime minister and provincial premier is well aware of it.  Therefore the appointment of every Governor should never be treated as political patronage and ‘pay out’ for old political parties hacks, as was the most cases in our recorded history (in Dominion and in independent Canada). It takes away from the dignity of that position, therefore takes away from dignity of the Sovereign. Last  appointments broke from that ugly tradition and three of them seemed very excellent: Michaëlle Jean in 2005, David Johnston in 2010 and current, Mary Simon in 2021.

I have never personally seen Elizabeth II during Her visits to Canada. To think of that, I have never seen here any other Royal Family member. Being hardly a person to line up streets and wave little paper flags is not my style. Not that there is anything wrong with that – but I have a particular aversion to it from childhood and very early adulthood during communist times, where it was often required. I preferred watching Elizabeth on TV, reading articles about Her visits. But I did see Her, Diana and Charles (our current Monarch) and beloved Queen Mother in London, England. Lived there for almost a year in 1981, walked by Kensington Palace almost daily and, of course, ventured few times to the gates of  Buckingham Palace. Did not know than that She would become my Queen. Martial Law in Poland in December 1981 and a communist police looking for me at my parents flat near Warsaw changed everything. Few months later I was in Canada.

I can’t say for sure when and how I become a strong proponent of constitutional monarchy. I was always astute and serious observer and participant of political life. Never missed a single provincial or federal election (did miss few municipal ones). Never been a member of any political party but have very strong political views. Voted for all main political parties according to their platform: for old Progressive Conservatives (not a single time for new Conservative Party and doesn’t look that I ever will, as I detest and don’t trust any populists parties); for Liberal Party and for New Democrats and never regretted my vote. That political astuteness with passing years clarified my views on the institution of monarchy. I looked also to other – mostly European – monarchies. It all lead me to strong opinion that constitutional, modern monarchy offers the best protection for democratic (or, using old British term: responsible government) institutions, works strongly to deter overgrown ambitions of elected politicians to become tyrants and autocrats. Our, Canadian Monarchy offers the same to us. And that should be at the heart of our, Canadian, consciousness. Our country, for better or for worse, is a result of British colonization and that forms obvious and historically correct tradition, even if no longer as obvious present reality. Apart from French/Acadian/Quebec failed attempt at New France (and we do recognize their distinctiveness), Canada that exist is a result of British tradition. And traditions (including also not the best ones) are part of a soul of any country.

This is my tribute to our late Sovereign, Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. She did serve us good. With grace and reverence we, as a country, deserve. The Crown served us good. Britain not always, but the Crown did.

Generally speaking, the British Canada started here, in Halifax, in Nova Scotia. I know, there is hardly a city in Canada that looks more and screams “England!” louder than beautiful Victoria (yes, named so in honour of Elizabeth II great-grandmother, Queen Victoria) on Vancouver Island. Love that city and had countless visits there. But as far as true historical political roots of British Canada is concern, it is here – on the shores of Atlantic, not Pacific. In Halifax.

Today, the same day as ceremonies in Westminster Abbey, a special service will take place in Anglican Cathedral Of All Saints – an enormous neo-gothic structure, next to monument of Scottish national poet Robert Burns. On Saturday I took my walks through the old Halifax. The one that remembers times of beginning of Canada and times prior to Confederation. In the four years since I have moved here, Halifax has changed, too. Specially old, waterfront Halifax. Become (except for very narrow streets…) more modern, with new tall buildings. To the detriment of the old patrician city. It is harder and harder to see the waterfront even from Citadel Hill. I tried, though. I tried to walk the streets that look the way they looked, when Elizabeth become monarch, when her great- grandmother Victoria reigned, from where her great-great-grandfather, George III (the third longest reigning British king) sent his general John Burgoyne to the fields of Saratoga, where he lost America. Here, in local old cemetery lay soldiers , who where shipped from Halifax to the Crimea War in 1854 to the bloody Battle of Sebastopol (today called Sevastopol) to fight Russian occupation of Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria (a déjà vu of current Russian war on Ukraine?). I visited the old Government House (that’s how the seat of British governor where called at that time), an official residence of Nova Scotia Lieutenant Governor, and signed the Book of Condolences for our Queen. That was my private, personal homage to Elizabeth II. My Queen. Queen of Canada.

God Save the Queen.

God save our new King Charles III.

Musings on music, art and it’s poetry and echo of Jean-Luc Therrien concert

Bogumil Pacak-Gamalski

When I was a young admirer of classical music, I sought well established, famous musicians. To be at a concert of someone known to be a master, virtuoso of an instrument. To listen to music played the way the music ought to be played. Orchestral or solo, chamber type or powerful experience of full orchestra in a symphony directed by an admired director!  Ah, for young, hungry for excellence youth – that was the pinnacle. I am glad I did it. Solid base, fundament is very helpful. For as long as you are not too timid (I wasn’t) to allow yourself to freely like or dislike certain composition, specific type of music. Art is not a religion. Art is freedom foremost. Of course, it didn’t hurt that I lived in a big city, that was very well known for its affinity for music and no shortage of good concert halls, musicians –  Warsaw. Even in communist times (or perhaps in spite of it), culture flourished in Poland. And (that must be acknowledged) it was affordable, fully supported by the government. The results were not always pleasant for the authorities but wonderful for the public. Art schools of all sorts and levels were also heavily subsidized by the communists. And art was our escape from the dreary and boring life around. There was no shortage of exceptionally talented people in every field of culture. The most difficult task was for writers, the easiest for musicians. Visual arts were somewhere in between. With written or spoken word your intentions (freedom, truth) were clearly visible, audible. So writers and poets had to manipulate, use so called ‘writing in between the lines’ technique. But musicians could escape they eye and furry of the censor much easier.  Particularly (as often was the case) if the censor was not very perceptive or of more feeble then intellectual mind. As it is often the case with censors.

That solid base allowed me to be comfortable to change my tastes in music and musicians. With time I preferred live concerts with younger, knew players, voices, sounds. The masters, after all, are always within arm’s reach on the vinyl, CD’s, online.

It is a marvelous journey to observe a young player blossoming, becoming mature musician. How his playing changes and goes through a metamorphosis. It is thanks to these players that an old, sometime very old, sheet of music that you have heard so many times – becomes alive again, young, vibrant. As it should. The composer might be gone long time ago but the music must be kept alive, current. Otherwise a concert is like a visit in a museum – interesting, enriching but often too long, tiring at the end. Canons are important for technical reasons, not for spirited interpretation. The overwhelming desire must be always kept on the essence of art and being an artist: what story I have to offer to the listener? What is my commentary on beauty or philosophy, ethics and esthetics to a contemporary listener? Of course, the trick is to remain respectful and true to the notes written often very long ago. Being always aware that circumstances and habits change with epochs. But human soul, dreams, emotions remain the same for millennia. Therefore you must try to find in the composition and your study of the composer biography, that inner message, the emotion that should be immortal. The story of human condition. And you, the pianist, violinist, trumpeter, flautist, guitarist must tell the story in your own voice. We, the audience must believe that you are telling us your own story. Just like Hamlet on the theater stage should no longer belong only to Shakespeare – you must become that Hamlet and it must be a contemporary voice. It must be your desire, your despair or triumph that will move us.

Just playing good, properly adhering to the tempo, intervals, tonality, melody will not do much for art. It might be proper, might be even elegant. But it lacks creativity. Just because you go every Sunday to a church to attend mass, know the hymns, the prayers – does not make you pious. In this way art and religion are very similar indeed: they require fervor and passion in the ultimate consumption.

Have been lucky to observe, over the years, many carriers and artists. Known some of them personally, with some have even become friends (that is rewarding but also difficult for someone who writes about their art). Some exceptional, others less but still truthful to their search. Still, others have given up the stage for the safety of teaching careers in musical schools, in academia. Stage is not for everybody. It could be a terrifying place. But it also offers the freedom to fly, to soar. Just make sure that your wings are strong. Rewards could be amazing.

On April 30th, at the evening, I drove over hundred kilometres from Halifax to Lunenburg to listen to a young pianist, Jean-Luc Therrien. He was just about to end (except for one more concert in Antigonish) his tour of Debut Atlantic, well established artistic venue supported by Canada Council for the Arts. Afterwards, I planned to write a review of the concert. But life, at times, has other plans for us and I had to postpone writing it. To a point that typical review becomes obsolete. Your own memory and emotions are no longer as vivid as a day or two later.  Yet, I wanted to mention it and the pianist, for it was a very good musical experience. Worth mentioning.

Alas, on that day I drove to Lunenburg in search of that young passion in music, for new musical meeting with new pianist. Almost like on a first date: with a bit of tension and trepidation but excited and looking forward to it.

The setting was similar to my previous concert outing in Halifax, in St. Andrew United Church, with acclaimed pianist Richard-Hamelin and a young cellist Cameron Crozman. Again, Therrien concert was in an old, Central United Church, with beautiful stain glasses, settled in district filled with gorgeous old churches.

It was such a shame that the venue wasn’t either advertised properly to local community (considering the fact that Lunenburg and its neighbour, Mahon Bay, are  small towns with densely populated smaller downtowns) or the locals are interested only in tourist dollars, not in supporting and admiring culture. The small audience that gathered inside was definitely not disappointed. And the young, smiling and very pleasant pianist did not show lack of enthusiasm for music or respect for listeners.

Perhaps the opening piece, Prelude et dance op.24 by Jacques Hétu was the most difficult to play. Not only for the fact that this Canadian (from Quebec) contemporary composer is probably not very popularly known. It is composed with extensive pedal work and requires a strong, modern piano. I’m afraid that the old, venerable grand piano of Heitzman (best Canadian piano maker in XX century) could not fully reproduce the sound that Hétu intended. Yet, definitely it was a very interesting composition and I listened to it with great interest.

The next part paid off any misgivings in multifold. Third part of great Suite bergamasque – one of the most played and loved Clair de Lune. Heard it so many times played by the greatest pianists. But chased away any thoughts of any comparisons, which would have been unfair. Let the young man play it the way he hears it in his soul. And he did. Maybe a bit timid at the very first phrases but the rest was beautiful. So poetic. With that interpretation he sold me. The rest of the concert I just enjoyed myself.

Jean-Luc Therrien is definitely an emotional pianist. His music comes not only through his fingertips but also from his heart and soul. It is not yet pristine and fully disciplined technically, but it flourishes by full emotional immersion of the pianist. You can always improve your technical skills if talent, luck and perseverance gives a long stage career. But that God’s given touch of emotionality cannot be learnt, it must reside in your soul from the very beginning.

That was seen also in somewhat diabolic prelude of Debussy: the F-sharp minor “What the west wind saw” – fast paced and full of arpeggios composition not for timid pianists.

Therrien finished this part by playing one of the giants of romanticism (Debussy personal hero) Franz Liszt Mefisto Waltz No.1. I must admit that I never liked that composition and do not see it as a musical achievement of this great Romantic pianist and composer.  Therefore can’t offer my personal opinion on Jean-Luc Therrien play of it. It sounded proper – that’s all I can say.

Second part of the concert was difficult and challenging for any pianist. Introduction of modern Canadian composer from Alberta, David McIntyre in “A wild innocence“. It was very short and technically interesting. But in a whole – lacking artistic musical purpose. I suppose, since the entire tour is organized traditionally  by Canadian Council of Arts – the repertoire must include domestic contemporary composers.

True challenge and musical artistic genius was brought by the final piece, Sergei Prokofiev Sonata no.2 op. 4. It is very transformative music composed in times of great upheavals and changes in artistic expression. It is also affected by personal sorrow of Prokofiev due to sudden and tragic death of his close personal friend. Yet, as a true artist, the composer packed the score with much deeper, philosophical discord of great changes on the horizon of humankind. It has parts that seem almost too easy, almost not worthy the title ‘classical music’. Somewhat reminds me of music by Gershwin on the other side of Atlantic at the same time. But it is all misleading. The ‘easiness’ of these parts underscores the other parts of the compositions. One compliments the other. It speaks in new language, different of languages of Debussy, of Liszt, Chopin and Mozart. I thought that Therrien played it splendidly. Emotionally and with great musicality. I could clearly see young Prokofiev overwhelmed with sadness of losing very close friend and escaping to memories and happy times, melodies and finding somehow peace in the finale were he brings all the rhythms, all the movements of previous parts into conclusion. With somewhat stoic understanding, even moments of lightness: nothing is forever, nothing is given in perpetuity. Neither in private life nor in world habits, styles, epochs.  

It was very nice that the small group of listeners  wanted to show the pianist how much they enjoyed his concert and did everything not to stop clapping and almost forced him for a bis. He definitely gave us all big joy and pleasure. The pianist obliged and play a small piece of Robert Schuman’s music. Elegant but not empty. In times of Schuman, in between musical epochs, compositions had to be formed elegantly, while a good composer still could enrich them with true meaning, thought or emotion. Many things could be said about Schuman as a composer – but never that his compositions were not a good music.

Therrien recorded two CD that are worth mentioning: Piano Preludes by American-Spanish label Orpheus Classical ( Claude Debussy Book 1 of Preludes and Franz Liszt Symphonic Poem no.3, S.97 (nota bene: Liszt was the father of this musical form). Therrien arranged it himself for solo piano.

Second of these recording is a CD produced by French label Klarthe. It contains an array of fantaisies by many composers played by duo of Jean-Samuel Bez (violin) and Jean-Luc Therrien (piano, of course).

Of these two recordings, I particularly liked the ‘Piano Preludes’ produced by Orpheus Classical.

Army of Angels in Ukraine

by: Bogumił Pacak-Gamalski

co-contributors and assistance: Jarosz Bogumił, Monika Queis-Brząkała and Paweł Cichoń,

I have written here about Russian invasion of Ukraine numerous times. It is extremely brutal war on the part of the invading forces. It is the first war since Cuban missile crisis decades ago, that the world is faced with real possibility of new global conflict. A hot war on the old lines East versus West. Just the lines have shrunken very much (by thousands of kilometers eastward) by emergence of new independent states from Baltic to Black Sea. Most of them returned to their own, pre-Soviet, western type of democracies and become members of NATO and European Union. These, which never were really independent (former Soviet republics) established their own sovereignty. I will not dwell here on Caucasian and Asian former Soviet republics, as they are not really involved much in current conflict.

Of the European ones, the major states are Belarus and Ukraine. Two extremely different states in almost all aspects. Belarus much more backward, with weak industrial output, have chosen a close alliance with former master from Moscow. Over time it has become a very authoritarian, dictatorial regime of one ruler – president Lukashenko. To the south lies even larger and much more populated country of Ukraine. It does have old and strong nationalistic legacy and struggle for independence going back hundreds of years. It’s dreams of sovereignty did not came out of blue moon but from a long line of political, military and historical thoughts and actions. Ukraine, more than any other country, is the true linchpin between Western and Eastern cultures and civilizations. Now it has become the line of defence of the West. The conflict at the beginning looked like a dangerous spot but still very much viewed as strictly Russian-Ukrainian war. Yes, with active political and very limited military support for Ukraine – but localized. It is no longer. That is clear, now. It is a war between Russia and the West. And everything must be done to make sure, that the West succeeds. The theater of all military actions is still (hopefully will remain that way, although it is tragic for Ukrainians) in Ukraine. But neither NATO, nor Europe, nor individual western states (mostly in Europe) can say – we are supporting Ukraine but we are not part of the war. We are part of it. Very much so. From political side, military side, ideological side. But also, which has become increasingly visible and important from societal, cultural and I would add, very philosophical standpoint. Apart from the governments, the armies, the politicians, military and economic alliances. The societies of Europe, the nations, citizens has become involved and formed unprecedented pressure, its own organizations, groups, even single individuals (in thousands) that are involved in that struggle. For every government sanctioned and paid truck or planeload or train container with war supplies for Ukraine – there is ten or twenty trucks, containers or columns of cars with humanitarian aid traveling day and night, mostly through Polish-Ukrainian border. All of it without government involvement, without millions of dollars of taxpayers money and directives from politicians. Separate, societal ‘humanitarian war’ for Ukraine. Unprecedented in scale and effort. A new, non-military frontline. I would call them humanitarian divisions, regiments and battalions that actually put their boots on Ukrainian soil. An Army of Angels. A dedicated Corp of individuals and civic organizations that risk actually, on every trip across the border, their life. But they do it nonetheless for every trip saves certainly lives of Ukrainian people, who are being internally displaced, shelled upon, murdered by Russian invaders.

Do not forget about them. They are your outstretched arms, extension of your thoughts, your feelings and hearts. If you feel overpowered with thoughts: ‘but what can I do, there is so much misery and need and I am just one person, far away!’. There is a way, you can do a lot because there is a lot of ‘yous’. And although you resources are limited – put together with others, it creates a treasure. A treasure that the army of angels can use to buy thousands of items, that they know were and by whom it is needed. And they will deliver it themselves in their own or rented for that effort cars, buses. Help from huge organizations, with large funds (national or international) is different and differently distributed. It also requires  a large administrative cost and employees cost. They have access to governments funds and donations, other large international institutions, national campaigns. They do have an important not to be forgotten role. But there is an enormous need for the smaller lives savings provided by these angels – selfless individuals delivering individual packages of food, equipment, often tailored for particular community or group. In places not always accessed by the large organizations. And adjusting from day to day to constantly changing situation. As often happens in real war. I have been hearing, watching and reading of some of them, some of their actions for a long time now. And my amazement kept growing. My respect for them, their courage. Their humanity.

I always had a strange fascination with the concept and presence of Angels. Not saints, god or gods. No. Angels, some mystical and mercurial Beings. Turns out I was right. They are! They are just neither mystical nor mercurial. And they are truly among us, ordinary people. In many ways they are – ordinary people. With extraordinary hearts.

I will show you two of them (among countless), with whom I become close. Monika Brzakala and Pawel Cichon. These two, with a group of determined friends and ‘co-conspirators’ regularly travel from Poland, Holland to the Polish-Ukrainian border with small caravans of cars, finish their packing with last bought or donated equipment in Poland and … cross the border to enter a different world. World of people running from bombs, from rape, from hunger. They go, usually through Lviv, to small towns, villages. To some local churches, orphanages, run-down and overcrowded hospitals. To private huts and homes. Give the awaited and badly needed packages … and give them hope. And promise that we remember and will not let them down. Tell me that no, there are no angels? If you do – you are wrong, they are. I just talked to them while they were on the last ‘pilgrimage’ to Lviv. And when they were traveling back toward Polish border. Saw the pictures of them there, the cars. Felt like I was there, helping them. But, of course, they were there on their own. Hoping that this time the Russian rockets or artillery will not find them. I hope they never will. Yes, they did find in their journeys corpses of people. They found people telling them with tears of their friends, husbands, daughters, who were murdered by Russians. Children alone – lost, abandoned, perhaps orphans already? – crying, scared. They had to manoeuvre their cars on roads scared with bomb holes, with metal remnants of exploded and unexploded rockets. Sometime, in most difficult places, they had to use armed assistance of other friends. In case of encountering someone from the other side of the conflict. No, they are not military trained people. But they are practical. There is an old Polish saying: God protects the ones, who protect themselves … . They are angels – but lacking the wings. Can you lend them some?

I asked both of them one  question: why? Almost stupid in its simplicity. Still, I wanted to know. Pawel wrote to me that he started on February 25. More than a month. He went to Przemysl, the main Polish border city, were majority of Ukrainian refuges start their new journey. Just to see what he can do. He started simply by transporting people with his own car from there to other destinations in Poland. By helping them with new settlement. Some of them are now in different countries. But they still keep in touch with him. Their first angel. But that was not enough for him. He needed to do more. And he did. A lot more. At the beginning on his own, with only his own car and money. Sometimes it led to transporting Western volunteers to Ukrainian armed defence units. That was dangerous, as were transports of… let’s say: ‘stuff’ to the frontlines. I can’t provide more details on these journeys, understandably. Day after day, week after week he become familiar with particular places, particular needs and people. Often the transport was both ways: with ‘stuff’ to Ukraine and with refugees back to Poland. Friends help with donations, gifts. He organized some in his own city of Mielec in Poland, asked for some on his Facebook profile. In one sentence he adds: “By helping I know that goodness does come back, there is a person, who says: help gives us wings.” When I read his words from him, I smile. Wings? How does he know what I think of him? Hmm.

Monika lives in Holland, she moved there from Poland already some time ago,  before the war. Said that she couldn’t bear reading these stories, the tragedy of war in Ukraine. Human misery. To do something she volunteered to go once to Lviv with some donated and bought articles. While there – she met the people. Heard their stories, their cries. And the children … . No, she couldn’t say to herself: that’s it, I have done my part. Tells me: “when you cry with them and when you hold in your arms their children – you know that you can’t return anymore to your normal life.”  She couldn’t and didn’t.  Why, you ask? Here is Monika’s answer: “They need to know, that they are not alone, that we are with them.”. They need to. Simply as this. That’s why Monika is my other angel. Angel that saves Humanity. Or what’s best in it.

Now Monika travels from Holland, meets Pawel in Poland and they do the convoys together. With other angels that they are able to gather in their mission. Of course they are exhausted. Physically and emotionally. They avoid the dangerous emotional exhaustion by not dwelling on it, not thinking too much. There is a job that needs to be done. Again – simple.

One think they can’t avoid is the financial situation. Yes, friends and good people help them. But they also used up most of their own money. Renting of buses (their own cars are not enough for the amount of people and goods they move back and forth now), crazy high gasoline prices, exploded tires and so on cost a lot. And how many time you can ask the same people in your own community for help, for donation?

Separate thank you for my good companion from the days of an original KOD (Committee for the Defence of Democracy) in Poland, who guided me toward these wonderful people and asked me: how can we help them? He also provided a lot of the photographic material. Thank you, Jarosz Bogumił.

 

You can help them with a small (or large) donation by visiting them on their Facebook profiles (Pawel Cichon or Monika Brzakala and contacting them via Messenger; you can visit two separate crowdfunding addresses: in Poland https://zrzutka.pl/72y53z (this one is in Polish and for particular items – electric generators); in Holland https://www.doneeractie.nl/help-monika-mensen-in-oekra-239-ne-helpen/-62300 – this opens in Dutch but in your top part of screen should be a button for translation (in Google there is) and you can choose English language version. That funding collects general donations for their convoys.

I had a dream …

by Bogumil Pacak-Gamalski

With these words on August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr.,  at the March on Washington addressed the gathered crowd, which numbered 200,000 people or more. These words become an iconic symbol of aspiration of any people, any nation. Aspiration to peace, respect, to dignity of people.

Visibly tired, almost resigned in his sorrow, Volodymyr Zelenskiy used these words to US Congress, to all Americans. He did thank USA (and the rest of democratic world, as he did in every address to every Parliament he addressed) for humanitarian and limited military help, for their moral and financial support. I am sure these thanks were sincere and coming from his heart.

But recently, and very clearly in that address, it is a different Zelenskiy, it is a different face of Ukraine. Gone are the days of brave and very much determined people and soldiers of great victory over aggressor, of war that will be won. Oh, yes – the brave and great leaders of USA and other democratic countries still proclaim with their bravado, that Putin can’t and will not win the war, that Ukraine will be victorious, that it was the biggest mistake and miscalculation of Russia. They are brave – but they do not fight. The fight is in Ukraine. Only in Ukraine. And Ukraine put and amazing resistance, truly beyond reasonable means. They still do. And we all applauded, we watch with awe. And we helped them to continue that tragically uneven fight. Without any real chance of winning. Not with that help we offered. And Ukrainian cities lay in destruction – as Warsaw did in 1944, Hiroshima in 1945, as Sarajevo in 1996, as Aleppo in 2016.

Since 2 World War, all modern war strategies, books on it and theories, are very clear: any effective attack, defence, counter offence of ground troops must be augmented by a strong air support. What used to be an old artillery barrage before infantry attack – become an air strikes before tank columns and mechanized units. In a war with actual armies, not guerilla strikes, which have different objectives and means. And we denied and continue to deny that help to Ukrainians. Sometime in most disgusting and arrogant way, as US President and his Administration saying that planes are not an effective tool in defence of Ukraine. That ridiculous statement is backed by supposedly America’s generals. Either these generals are stupid or the politicians are lying and lacking the fortitude of honesty, by saying: we are sorry, we know you need it but decided that we can’t and will not give them to you, as we decided to avoid any possible direct confrontation with Russia’s armies.

It is a tragically wrong policy, because it gives Putin more or less a free hand in choosing his tactical approach. And he does it skilfully. His generals have learned quickly the lesson from first week of the war. When it was clear that a ground offensive is costly, not very successful and extremely difficult due to very strong defence and fighting spirit of Ukrainians – he decided to lay waste to cities, army installations, airports, important industrial centres. And he does it mostly from air and long range rockets, which batteries lay often beyond the range of Ukrainian reach. It is supplemented by terrorizing civilian population with rockets and bomb from planes on residential districts, hospitals, electricity and water supplies, food storages. It is truly medieval tactic with modern technology. To lay waste. 

Volodymyr Zelenskij, a modern day true hero for freedom loving people of the world, have come to accept it, to not deny the brutal reality of it. The Russians will withdraw eventually (in weeks partially, in few months perhaps fully); serious and not easy peace conference will be assembled and peace accord signed. Very different than the one we were calling for yesterday, at the beginning of the invasion. Zelenskiy already publicly resigned himself to one of the main demands of Putin. The one we, the West, so strongly condemned and opposed on the principium of freedom of countries to make any choice of alliances, organizations: the demand of guaranties that Ukraine never joins NATO. And, honestly – I don’t think that Ukrainian people would want to now. Would you, if you were Ukrainian?

For the safety of Europe and therefore of the entire West it is to make everything possible to allow Ukraine to negotiate from the position of relative strength. That means giving them serious (not token, guerilla style, armaments) military support. Time is not on our side anymore. As it wasn’t on the side of Russians at the beginning. Time is now actually on the side of Putin. Ukrainians do not have any time left. Their country is being destroyed as we watch helplessly. And as they watch in horror.  After 1990, I have never thought that I will see such war in Europe so soon. I actually thought that in my lifetime – I will be spared that experience. How wrong I was … .  

If Ukraine signs a peace deal with Russia (the chances of Russia just accepting defeat are nil – because they are not defeated) it must be strong enough to save as much as possible from Ukraine before the war. Territorially and politically. That is retaining it’s full, not cosmetic, sovereignty. Only than Europe will be safe from day to day risk of new, world war. When NATO would have to take part in and our soldiers would be dying in it, our cities will be bomb.

I don’t believe even for a moment that huge nuclear disaster would happen. I didn’t and don’t believe it would have happen if we acted much stronger in the defence of Ukraine. Nuclear disaster is not in the interest of Putin. Apart from his care or disdain for Russian people – it is not a way to re-create an old Tsarist or Soviet empire. He knows it. But that’s beside the point. That is just ‘if’s’  and ‘what would or would not’. The reality is that we need a sovereign Ukraine. Again – apart from our warm sentiments, feelings for Ukraine and Ukrainians – for very practical and paramount existential reasons: our own future.

In order to achieve it we must make last and brave, rational attempt before it would be too late. Give them jets as they need them to stop the terror of total destruction of Ukraine, to make them stronger at the negotiating table, to safe a country from not being able to welcome back at least a portion of the population that escaped  so far.  Give them the planes that Poland offered to USA (or other), give them the ability to fight back with more than ‘arrows and sticks’. Don’t send your troops, that is already accepted by Ukrainians. Putin must come to realization that prolonging the conflict will cost him again big losses and that his rocket and air forces can’t operate with impunity. Only than Zelenskiy (if he will be still alive) can have a chance of saving what must be safe.  Otherwise no one will be safe.  Give peace a chance. It is not only smart. It is called self-preservation.

Risks? Of course they are! But if you can’t, if you too paralyzed to take them – what the hell are you doing chanting ‘”Slava Ukraini!’? The world has changed February 24, 2022. Accept it and act accordingly.

I will not end it by saying ‘Glory to Ukraine’. Ukraine doesn’t need me to say it – it earned it on its own. With blood. I will say: I am sorry. I’m profoundly sorry that we couldn’t do more. But still hopeful that we will do what has to be done to ease your pain, your tragedy. And what you asked for, dear President Zelenskiy, is not too much. It could be done and should be. For You and for us.

 Україна Ukraine Ukraina – what’s next?

note from author: texts in English and in Polish are not the same and offer different perspective; teksty po polsku i po angielsku nie są tłumaczeniami a osobnymi uwagami na ten sam temat, uwzgledniającymi specyfikę Czytelnika

What seemed possible and sensible ten days ago, at the beginning of Russian invasion of Ukraine, is no longer enough or practical nor possible. The war has changed, its’ possible outlook has changed, the situation and reality in Ukraine has changed drastically. The situation in bordering countries (Poland, Moldova, Romania) has changed dramatically. Especially in Poland, a country that has received and continues to receive the bulk of Ukrainian war refugees – now getting dangerously close to two million. No one in all NATO countries has even the slightest idea what it means to host, within a matter of ten days, such an overwhelming number of refugees and to house them, to offer them medical support, psychological care, education for hundreds of thousands of children. Even in Canada – a country of immigrants, nobody knows (including the government) what it means. Yes, I know, have heard all the heartwarming words of Canadian government in Canada and during his recent visit to Poland – but it almost sounds like a talk from another planet. Visas will be fast-tracked, process shorten … . No, Mr. Trudeau – we need now a massive airlift of thousands of people to Canada, you can house them in government approved and run facilities (a form of refugee camp) and you can then do all the paperwork and checking for as long as need to be. Large Polish cities literary run out of spaces, similarly in many smaller cities. You can’t built camps for millions of people. The same goes for Germany, France, Great Britain an other European countries. Where is USA?

Money given to Poland and other countries do not solve all the problems – they can’t stretch these countries. It is a serious social and political problem that needs serious long term solution – but also needs a fast practical means. Even if only temporary. It looks like within day or few days time we will face another huge wave – this time from Western Ukraine and possibly Lviv itself. The bombing of the airport just miles off Polish border and bombing of city of Sluck creates a sense of panic in parts of Ukraine that felt relatively safe so far. But Putin plans obviously changed. I thought myself that he would stop around the lines of the old, pre-war Polish border. Russia has no historical or any other claim to these territories. Obviously, I was wrong. Putin is a dangerous man. Time is not on his side (the economic sanctions do bite Russia very seriously and that he can’t changed no matter what) and he invested too much, in my opinion, to just stop the offensive. He will – but only when Kiev is taken and Ukraine as a country will loose any chance to militarily oppose his armies. By attacking more massively, with full terror to civilians and bombardments of Western Ukraine infrastructure – he will eliminate (already seriously weakened) any practical means of supplies to Ukraine of Western arms and equipment.

While being fully invested in economical war with Russia, supporting Ukraine defensive effort (supporting in a limited way, too limited to effectively change the outlook of the war – but I wrote on this subject before and will not repeat it here) and – most of all – strengthening the Eastern and Northern flank of NATO – we can’t overlook social and political destabilization of frontier NATO countries that this conflict might produce. Just before Russian invasion, another madman – Belarus ‘president’ Lukashenka, created a refugee crisis on border with Poland by ‘exporting’ Syrian and Afghan refugees. Polish government (to dismay and anger of many Poles and Polish NGO’) refused to accept these poor souls. But fear of new and dangerous ‘refugee corridor’ made the European Union to support Warsaw’s government in forcefully (in a way Trump did to Mexicans and Central Americans) stopping the immigrants. They were afraid of social and political destabilization of EU. Well – there was just a mere few thousands, certainly not even 100 000 refugees. What two, three or even four millions could do now? O, yes – Ukrainians are white, aren’t they? Did I say something not politically correct? O , my… . Just please, spare me your indignation. It would have been laughable. People are people and victims of state-sponsored terror and wars are victims. Regardless of their nationality and ethnicity. Therefore, if we (NATO) are still absolutely sure that we will not offer a substantial military support to Ukrainians (yes, I do mean a short military surgical strikes against Russian missiles, planes ) – you must do something very fast and tangible to avoid social dangers by strangulating Poland and other bordering countries with that massive wave of refugees. That truly would have been unintended gift to Putin-the-murderer.

Sytuacja Polski, jej południowo-wschodnich granic, przy których kłębią się czarne chmury wojny jest najtrudniejszą od czasów wielkich zmian w 1945 i zmian związanych ze stanem wojennym i powstawania zrębów nowego, demokratycznego państwa. Wymaga wysiłku, mądrości, rozwagi i odwagi. Społeczeństwo w dużej chyba większości wykazało te cechy. Zwłaszcza, gdy mówimy o monumentalnej, od czasów 2 wojny niespotykanej, ilości wędrującego tłumu przerażonych Ukraińców. W olbrzymiej większości kobiet z dziećmi, ludzi starszych. A więc generalnie w trudnej sytuacji i nie zawsze zdolnych dla podjęcia normalnych działań na rzecz mieszkania, pracy, zaradności. Morze biedy, przerażenia i łez. To jest ta część tej wojny, gdzie Polacy zdali każdy egzamin mądrości, spolegliwości. Nawet jeśli tu i tam zdarzają się (w pewnym stopniu zrozumiałe z ludzkich powodów) zgrzyty, narzekania lub hasła.  Ta fala dotknęła Polskę najsilniej i ani Zachodnia Europa ani Północna Ameryka nie mają najmniejszego pojęcia, co to znaczy i jaki nadludzki wręcz wysiłek jest konieczny, by zapobiec sytuacji socjalnych tragedii nie tylko Ukraińców ale i Polaków. Władze państwowe do tej pory też zdają dość dobrze egzamin dojrzałości w postawach i realizacji tego, co władze administracyjno-polityczne robić powinny. I musi w tym być duża zgoda społeczna i balans pozytywny miedzy opozycją demokratyczną w Polsce a władzami PiS. Musi – bo wymaga tego sytuacja na świecie, wymaga tego pokój społeczny w Polsce. Podzieleni i skłóceni nie podołamy temu herkulesowemu wyzwaniu historii.  Nie oznacza to zgody na konstytucyjne świństwa PiS, ani zgody na ich demontaż Polski, jako państwa europejskiego, państwa praworządnego.

Przypomnę – młodszym może ode mnie ale i starszym, którzy zapomnieli – pewnego poetę epoki przeszłej. Żołnierza Legionów Komendanta, żołnierza wojny polsko-sowieckiej 1920, w której dostał Virtuti Militari i Krzyż Walecznych, patriotę. Potem więźnia sowieckiej Łubianki w Moskwie, następnie żołnierza Korpusu generała Andersa. A, bym nie zapomniał w tej wyliczance: komunistę. Za tą działalność w KPP (Komunistyczna Partia Polski) rządy sanacyjne w latach 30-tych umieściły go w więzieniu politycznym. Surowym. Po wojnie wrócił z Zachodu do nowej Polski i poparł nowe władze. Chyba szczerze, ostatecznie był autentycznie komunistą. Ale był przede wszystkim Polakiem i patriotą. Domyślacie się, kto?  Starsi już pewnie tak. Naturalnie Władysław Broniewski. Jak się zachował 1 września 1939? Miał prawo być wszak zgorzkniały, miał prawo wobec Rydza-Śmigłego i rządu Sanacji czuć wstręt. Otóż napisał wówczas słynny wiersz-apel „Bagnet na broń”. Przytoczę  krótki a wymowny fragment (druga zwrotka): Są w ojczyźnie rachunki krzywd, / obca dłoń ich też nie przekreśli / … / … / Cóż, że nie raz smakował gorzko / na tej ziemi więzienny chleb? / Za tę dłoń podniesiona nad Polską – kula w łeb!

Można by jeszcze sięgnąć do – adekwatnego do sytuacji i wypadków – apelu Jana Kochanowskiego w „Pieśni o spustoszeniu Podola”. Ale wystarczy. Rządy Zachodnie nie mogą rozmawiać po prostu ‘z ludźmi’ i z nimi zawierać umowy, porozumienia. A nasze wewnętrzne spory polityczne nie powinny tego utrudniać. Uważam, że np. propozycja ‘lotnicza’ niejakiego Dudy w fantastyczny sposób obnażała dwulicowość polityki USA, a śmiech pani v-ce prezydent był dużo bardziej żenujący niż przejęzyczenie czy też zła wymowa pokracznego angielskiego tegoż pana.  Który angielskiego nie musiał używać i chyba lepiej by nie używał poza grzecznościowym ‘welcome’ itp.

Stoimy wobec kolosalnego zadania związanego z ilością uchodźców. Wymagana jest współpraca, gdzie należy z administracją polityczną. Bez wybaczania czy rezygnacji ze słusznych, wewnętrznie polskich, oporów i przygotowań do kampanii wyborczej. Tysiąc, dwa czy 10 tysięcy, których litościwie zabierze Kanada i inne kraje niczego w sytuacji w Polsce nie zmieni. To kropla w morzu potrzeb. Nie zmienią też tego nawet dziesiątki milionów euro i dolarów. Nikt w kilka miesięcy nie zbuduje nowych miast, szkół i szpitali. By temu sprostać wymagana jest pewna współpraca, wzajemne wsparcie społeczeństwa i rządu. Za miesiąc, dwa nastroje Polaków mogą się diametralnie zmienić. I temu należy że wszelkich sił zapobiec. Bo może być źle. Musimy żądać od EU (tych państw, które nie leża przy granicy ukraińskiej), USA, Wlk. Brytanii i Kanady bardzo szybkiego przyjęcia olbrzymiej ilości uchodźców z Polski. Nie miesiącami trwającego procesu wiz, przesłuchań, aplikacji indywidualnych. Wszystko to mogą robić te kraje już u siebie. W sposób, jaki same uznają za najlepszy.

War or peace? It is all a big lie.

Bogumil Pacak-Gamalski

Russian invasion in Ukraine pretends not to be a war but ‘a military operation’ against a non-existing state defended by non-existing nation. That’s Vladimir Putin vision of the world and his vocabulary. In some way he might be not lying.  In his mind it might be a true statement. Just as Hitler truly believed in the “One Thousand Year Reich” and predestine superiority of German ‘Aryan race’.

It doesn’t change at all the situation of Ukraine and Ukrainians, who live in normal, material dimension, not mental. One could say that the Russians are using not too clear definition of hybrid war and the Ukrainians are just at regular defensive war.

The United States and NATO are just bystanders. President Bidden is adamant that there could not be even a possibility of Western (by that we still mean NATO countries – of which USA is the dominant factor and decision maker) military, direct involvement in any combat or possibly characterized as combative action. To preserve larger peace in Europe, nuclear war and all other calamities. At the same time we are actively supplying Ukrainians with all sorts of arms and lethal war supplies to supplement their own, not too powerful armament. That is also a lie (or, just as in Putin’s case – a state of mind).

The USA scenario (executed by NATO) is a war. It is not so called  hybrid war (Russia’s war in Ukraine) but a war be proxy. Another war theory, used by Russia and USA (or, in general – the West) for decades since 1945. That proxy this time being Ukraine. No, the West did not provoke Putin’s invasion by any means. Ukraine sympathies toward the West, especially since annexation of Crimea by Russia, are Ukraine choice. It is internationally recognized sovereign state and has a right to make its political choices. But to say that we (the West) are not party or not involved in the current war is nonsense.  

In that sense Ukrainian President Zelensky is absolutely right, when he calls out USA and NATO bluff. Either admit it that you will not get involved in the war, give as much humanitarian aid, fortify your own European borders and say to your own nations, that there is nothing you can do – or the blood of Ukrainians will truly be on your hands, too. Prolonging that heroic act of Ukrainian defensive war by supplying them with enough arms to continue resistance and not enough to have the slightest chance of winning – is a macabre. It is using them, Ukrainians, as your proxy to test the abilities and strength of Russian bear.

The clearest sign of it came just few hours ago in the saga of pressuring Poland to give the Ukrainians it’s Russian-build but recently modified MiG fighter jets. Since the meagre Ukrainian Air Force is using the same jets – the transfer could be the best match (for Ukrainian pilots).

The idea started right after the invasion begun, when European Union Security Chief suggested that Poland offered to do it. That claim was swiftly and categorically rejected by Poland. Then, in face of growing losses of Ukrainians in southern (along the Azov and Black Sea coast) regions and categorical refusal of closing Ukrainian airspace by NATO – Zelensky strongly appealed for transfer of some jets to its Air Force, not just small arm held surface to air missiles.  Let’s remember that Ukraine consists of steppes: relatively flat land, not a high mountains as in Afghanistan and small arms , no matter how powerful, are no match in open space against Russian air force, batteries and heavy armed mobile missiles. That appeal from Zelensky prompted the USA to suggest that Poland should (and has the means to do it) transfer it’s  MiG jets to Ukraine.  Again, Poland, as late as last Sunday, rejected the idea saying it will not risk using Polish airfields to fly the jests over Ukrainian airspace to Ukraine. It does make sense in  light of NATO hard stance that no NATO soldier will put his/her boots in Ukraine to even appear as being involved in the conflict. Poland does not have the military might as USA – that is beyond discussion. It has been sold out by it’s allies to Stalin already once in 1945. It doesn’t want the risk of being told that it was Polish government, who flew the planes over Ukrainian airspace and therefore it can’t demand the NATO to defend its borders as the planes did not fly on NATO order. Farfetched? Perhaps. But logical in many ways. Then, suddenly today, Polish government came out with a new plan. Now it says it will fly the planes to USA base in Germany, give them to USA army and they can fly them to Ukraine from their base. Under logical assumption that USA will very soon let Poles to buy some used USA older jets (Poland can’t afford in this times to lose a big chunk of it’ own planes and planes these days – see Canada’s many long years waiting for planes from USA, that were ordered and paid for as many years ago – do not come easily. The USA scrambled to come with an answer. Suddenly the Administration was explaining that actually planes are not that important for Ukrainians, that they would not change much in the war. There is an old saying in Poland (from a popular youth book of older times): when Kali steals something from a neighbour – that is a good deed; when a neighbour steals from Kali – it is a very bad deed. That saying, in my opinion, perfectly describes  president Biden’s confused Administration.

My view of the conflict, our ‘non-involved involvement’ in it, is evolving as the time passes by. As I see city by city, town by town being reduced to ruins, hospitals and schools bombed, nuclear plants exposed to bombs, millions of people on the dangerous exodus to other countries – it all brings to my memory pictures of 2 world war and the cities in Europe reduced to rubble: Warsaw, Hamburg, Wroclaw/Breslau, nations uprooted and moved somewhere else (that includes Polish population of Lviv/Lvov and Western Ukraine, which was part of Polish state for hundreds of years) by new Russian overlords.

We do have a moral but also existential right to get involved deeper, stronger in Ukraine’s fate. It is still time. And I don’t believe that Putin would risk a full-fledged war with the united West. If Ukraine fell six days ago – it might have been too late to do anything and we would have bought ourselves few more years of false peace. But it didn’t. And now we can’t afford to let Her fall. But also now, by the very strong sanctions, we have weakened him very much. He can’t afford even a short full-blown war with the West. He will be forced to negotiate. And we should. So the Ukrainians. Perhaps a solution is possible. I think it is. Might not be fully satisfactory to everyone – but that is sometime (most of the time) the only workable solution. To do that we might stop being at war by proxy. We might need to send more than ten or twenty Polish older jets to Ukraine (although that would be the right beginning). We actually might put some boots on Ukrainian soil. Not on Russian, on Ukrainian. Not with the desire to defeat Russia in some grand battles. To force Russia to a negotiating table. A conference of sort. Providing the main and deciding roles will belong to Russia and Ukraine. We just have to stop the war by proxy. I can’t see Ukraine being able to defeat Russia militarily on it’s own.  Ukraine dos not need a heroic President, who dies defending its crumbling capital. Ukraine needs its heroic President Zelensky to lead the country in painful and long rebuilding. Needs its children to return to their schools from other countries, its wives to come back to their living husbands.

Yes, we don’t have a war in Europe beyond Ukraine. But no, we don’t have peace, either. Is there a risk? Yes, and it want be smaller ten or five years from now if we do, as we do today. Which is too little and too late.

In the history of wars, of empires – even the most powerful armies lost  to smaller ones by choosing to wait, to observe, to react instead of act.