What is currently the most popular word in Poland? Of course: r e c o n s t r u c t i o n. We have a new-old government with a reconstructed position of prime minister. Is that good? We will see. Our Lower Silesian streets have undergone a kind of reconstruction. The voivode presented new, splendid street names that will honorably replace their previous, questionable patrons. Unfortunately, the intention, though noble, is—putting it mildly—at least 27 years late. Where were all the previous governments…? Why do we keep circling around one unresolved issue? To a large extent, it is the effect of the “thick line.”
The street names presented are not particularly shocking, although there are some exceptions. A discussion has already erupted in the pages of istotne.pl about changing Marian Buczek to Tadek Jasiński. The former was indeed not an admirable Pole; in fact, he was not even an exemplary communist. But is Tadek Jasiński the right hero? The internet has not spared him. Still, I think he deserves respect. He was one of the youngest defenders of Grodno in 1939. He gave his life perhaps in a rather reckless way, but in today’s times, would some “adults” be capable of such an act…? Let us not be so critical.
Our new patron of one of Bolesławiec’s streets will, however, appear only in Bolesławiec. His name will hang nowhere else, on no other Lower Silesian wall. This is quite surprising, especially since the figures of Władysław Grabski and Tadeusz Gajcy appear repeatedly. So why such monothematicism? Is Poland lacking outstanding figures? It is a shame that the Voivode did not take into account figures historically connected with the region.
This entire new order nevertheless prompts another reflection. Would it not finally be worthwhile to change Kutuzov Street? A discussion will surely erupt in a moment: “Why, and for what?” Perhaps, however, it would be worthwhile for both the residents of Bolesławiec and the city authorities to consider this idea.
Well, Mikhail Kutuzov was not a communist. Nevertheless, he is a negative figure in Polish history. He held the worst possible opinion of Poles. He is regarded as the architect of Napoleon’s campaign defeat. This is not entirely fair, since his predecessor—Mikhail Barclay de Tolly—was the author of the strategy of drawing the Grand Army deep into freezing Russia. All the credit, however, went to Kutuzov.
The marshal also took part in fighting against the Bar Confederation (1764–1765) and in the Polish-Russian War of 1792. This was the so-called war in defense of the Constitution of May 3. Our “hero” also participated in the Battle of Dubienka (July 18, 1792). In that battle, the forces of Tadeusz Kościuszko were indeed forced to retreat, but the Polish army inflicted significant losses on the superior Russian forces. Only 5,300 soldiers fought on the Polish side (900 were killed). The Russians had an army of 25,000, and their losses amounted to as many as 4,000. Although Kościuszko theoretically had no chance, he dealt the occupying forces a serious blow.
Mikhail Kutuzov is a Russian hero whose only merit for Bolesławiec is that he died here. Poles would never have had any reason to honor his name. Even the Prussians, when relations with Russia cooled, moved the marshal’s well-known monument to a more “appropriate” place. So is a street bearing his name still a good idea?
Bonaparte’s cannons fell silent long ago; Kutuzov’s heart and all the mementos associated with him returned to his homeland. Let the monuments connected with him remain. Any idea of destroying them would, of course, be barbaric. But are we not capable of choosing better heroes?
I have already encountered the argument: he is, after all, a historical figure; let us leave him alone, as a warning to future generations. But what about previous generations? What about the Polish patriots who fought in the November and January Uprisings? What about the thousands of Poles deported to Siberia? Would they have been pleased with such a patron?
The issue of changing the street should be thoroughly discussed. This should take place solely within the local government. It is, after all, a matter concerning only the people of Bolesławiec. The Kutuzov issue should also not be treated as an anti-Russian maneuver. We must maintain the best possible relations with our eastern neighbor, but this cannot come at the expense of Polish history.
Unflattering opinions about Kutuzov still circulate today. Count Langeron, a Frenchman in Russian service, wrote the following:
It would be difficult to be more intelligent than Prince Kutuzov and at the same time possess less character; to combine cunning with skill, such limited abilities with a lack of moral sense. In addition, he had an extraordinary memory, a broad education, courtesy and eloquence, and a somewhat artificial good nature—these were Kutuzov’s positive traits. Yet when overcome by anger, or when he could treat someone condescendingly, uncontrollable violence and boorishness showed through; while he knew how to grovel masterfully before the favorites of tsarist favor. Add to this extreme egoism and promiscuity, as well as an unabashed approach to acquiring money, and we have a complete picture of this hardened idler, to whom everything was always irrelevant—napliewat!
[Zob. L. Hass, Wolnomularstwo w Europie Środkowo-Wschodniej w XVIII i XIX w.].
“If I forget them, O God in Heaven, forget me!” Supposedly beautiful words, when spoken too often, lose their meaning. Let this Mickiewiczian injunction nevertheless become a reflection that we cannot forget the great sacrifice made in the struggle for an independent Poland. This is not the time for another battle or political hot air. It is worth looking at the issue of Kutuzov Street with some distance and considering whether this is the Poland our great-grandfathers fought for...
Paweł Skiersinis
The author is a blogger and a history enthusiast, particularly passionate about the history of Lower Silesia and Poland. Why Lower Silesia? As he puts it: “Why not? The most interesting history is the history around us, concerning us and our ancestors.”
He adds: “I try to present history from a different perspective, in an interesting way—not in the typically bookish style, full of dry dates and facts. My articles concern facts that we will not find in textbooks and well-known publications. The history of Lower Silesia is undoubtedly fascinating and compelling, so it is sometimes worth devoting even a brief moment to it.”