– The city has changed beyond recognition, especially the company I managed – says Jan Nowakiewicz. – I was pleased to return to Legnica. I felt at home.

Mr Nowakiewicz is 90 and has a life story that could be divided among many people. He was born in Korhynia near Tomaszów Lubelski. During the war, his family was deported to Kazakhstan by the Russians. As a young man, he joined the Polish People's Army. He began as a private. At the age of 27, he was already commanding a regiment in which more than 80 percent of the soldiers and officers were older than him. After demobilization in 1953, he settled in Legnica. He managed a concrete plant in Pątnów and later became director of the waterworks.

– At that time, Legnica was a city of 70,000 people suffering from a water shortage – he recalls. – The most important task was to ensure water for the residents.

Mr Nowakiewicz's children were born in Legnica – daughter Renata and son Waldemar. Their father modernized the waterworks company, but in 1964 he decided to leave Legnica for family reasons. He settled in Rzeszów. There, among other things, he worked as the voivode's representative. He is currently active in the Association of War Invalids.

After half a century, he is visiting Legnica and his former workplace with his children. – I was received very warmly at the waterworks – he says. – I am impressed. It is a very modern facility. Not like in my time, when many processes were carried out by hand. Legnica has also changed a great deal. It used to be such a grey city. Now it is beautiful. His daughter Renata adds: – There are so many beautiful tenement houses here. The city makes a tremendous impression.

Jan Nowakiewicz and his children met at the Town Hall with Mayor Tadeusz Krzakowski. In a cordial atmosphere, they talked about times past and the present, and about Legnica then and now. The mayor wished the guest and his family every happiness.

Mr Nowakiewicz will meet today (10 September) at 5:00 p.m. with residents at the Legnica Public Library (22 Piastowska Street). The institution received photographs of Legnica from the 1950s and 1960s from his family.

Legnica Municipal Office/ii