Istotne.pl: What sparked an interest in history in a retired police officer?
Leszek Socha: I have been interested in history practically forever—from mythology to modern times. Knowing the past helps us better understand the present. It is good when a local community is aware that its surroundings are distinguished by more than everyday existence, that the place where they live is an “interesting place.” A place to which, after years of economic migration or studying, young people are happy to return. Gierałtów is definitely such a place, and discovering its history raises the village’s value. But if it had not been for the sensitivity of the Istotne.pl portal, no one would still have heard of the great musician from Gierałtów.
Istotne.pl: How did you learn about Adolf von Henselt’s history?
Leszek Socha: Fifteen years ago, during a family reunion, I was talking with my son-in-law about the castle in Gierałtów, which no longer exists today. My son-in-law looked through various sources and came across Adolf von Henselt and his story connected with Gierałtów and Tsar Alexander II of Russia. It was like being hit by a hammer. All the more so because the internet was not as developed then as it is today. After this discovery, Adolf Henselt and everything connected with him became a constant presence in my family’s life. My fascination was completed by another discovery. Celebrities of the Romantic era came to Adolf von Henselt’s palace to rest and visit: Hans Christian Andersen, Franz Liszt (a concert pianist and composer), Richard Wagner—an outstanding figure—Robert Schumann, and many other friends of his; out of historical caution, I will not list them all.
Imagine what staying in Gierałtów meant to these artists—how greatly inspired they must have been by walks along the paths where we also walk today, or simply by life here. With this knowledge and my love of classical music, how could I pass by indifferently and not announce it to the world? Many residents of Gierałtów do not know this history. One source states that Adolf Henselt supposedly met our Fryderyk Chopin at one of the sanatoriums. Chopin himself was apparently impressed by Henselt’s work, as experts on both composers confirm.
Istotne.pl: Adolf Henselt was a pianist at the Tsar’s court in St. Petersburg, as well as a music teacher to the Tsar’s children…
Setting aside prejudices, it is worth knowing that St. Petersburg was also called the “Paris of the North,” and even the “Venice of the North.” It is therefore no wonder that Henselt was so fascinated by Russian culture, and that the palace in Gierałtów was lavishly furnished in the St. Petersburg style. One could talk about Henselt endlessly; I will only add that Hans Christian Andersen read his fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” in this palace—a story known throughout the world, whose premiere took place in Gierałtów. One of the palace’s chambers appeared in another of his fairy tales. So how could one fail to see the extraordinary power of our Gierałtów, since artists whose works are performed in all the world’s philharmonic halls drew inspiration here? Perhaps Wagner found inspiration beneath my house and wrote the first notes of The Valkyrie; perhaps Schumann’s “Dream” was created in Gierałtów’s parks? So how could we not show Gierałtów to the world?
Istotne.pl: Is your family musical?
Leszek Socha: Yes, there are two professional musicians in my family—my granddaughters Tosia and Hania. Both perform in concerts. Hania—a law student at Jagiellonian University—plays the saxophone and clarinet in the Representative Wind Orchestra of AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków. Tosia—a final-year secondary-school student—performs in the Symphony Orchestra of the State Music School in Kraków. Both give many concerts. We are all keenly interested in the history in question; my granddaughters, above all, provide me with tremendous substantive support.
istotne.pl: When did you want to carry out a project honoring Henselt in Gierałtów?
Leszek Socha: For more than 15 years, I have been trying to draw the attention of authorities and others to the fact that Henselt lived in Gierałtów. Since music is not politics, I will not dwell on the approach of various people to my proposals or on whom I made the collected materials available to. Politics has its priorities; music has one: to gladden our hearts. Classical music is less popular. Many times I have encountered indifference and the question: “Who cares?” That is precisely the task: to show ordinary people what I have seen. I do not know whether it comes with age or whether it is an impulse.
Istotne.pl: Where does this interest in classical music come from?
Leszek Socha: I was inspired by my primary-school music teacher, Antonina Zakrzewska. She spoke so beautifully about Moniuszko that the first opera I got to know was The Haunted Manor—and that is how it stayed with me. I decided then that if God exists, He must certainly be in the opera. This should be the task of the Gierałtów Enthusiasts’ Society: to pass on a passion for classical music. With a patron such as Henselt, it has to succeed.
Istotne.pl: Are there other aspects to this passion?
Leszek Socha: Apart from the purely cultural aspect, as a local activist and local-government official I personally believe that Adolf Henselt’s history, properly developed, could be a real promotional “bomb.” Local governments spend gigantic amounts on promoting a municipality, city, or region. What do we most often see? Some political events and unattractive ideas. It is common to promote officials: with a shovel and a tree, presenting diplomas, medals, and so on, or rescuing a dog. That is important, but this proposal has many layers—apart from music, which unites people and knows no skin color or nationality, it also has the weight of the creator. In this particular case, the main audiences could be intellectuals and affluent people. With proper guidance for the Society and support from local government, tourism, concerts, and music competitions could be launched. It would be worthwhile to cooperate with the State Music School in Bolesławiec—students could give concerts and become accustomed to performing before an audience, which is important in a musician’s training. The region’s standing could be raised. A situation like the one in Gierałtów is rare. Wasting it would be a bad move. I also see young people in the Society who can gain organizational experience and, for the good of music and culture, be noticed and work for the region. I know that missed opportunities take revenge. A good host does not waste such possibilities.
Istone.pl: So what are your plans connected with the Gierałtów Enthusiasts’ Society?
There is no point in making a commotion and then giving up. Talking about music is good only after a concert. That is why I believe regular concerts should be held here, and even local classical-music competitions. After all, music softens manners, which have been seriously strained. I will return to Adolf Henselt. According to the sources available to me, his work had and continues to have an influence on later European musicians. That is why such concerts and competitions make sense.
In our case, “small” can be great. Let us look at the Comedy Film Festival in Lubomierz—an example of an entrepreneurial approach and finding a niche; a few scenes in a comedy trilogy, and there you are. We have everything laid out on a platter to make our mark in the world. This is ours—we do not need to invent or exaggerate anything. It is enough to establish contacts with Henselt music enthusiasts around the world and stay the course. Artists give everything they have—they express it in notes, texts, rhymes, or on canvas. Politics calculates and maneuvers; however, politicians decide the success of every social initiative, including this one. That is why I want to invite everyone who wants to bring people together—including reasonable politicians—to take on this task. My dream is to watch the project get off the ground and bring joy to young people. Because of my age, I have extensive organizational experience, but I cannot manage alone. I trust that this is an opportunity to become better people—why do I say that? When I leave the Opera or Philharmonic, I feel like a better person; those who have not been there will not understand, but they have the opportunity. Greetings, and I invite you to Gierałtów, to Adolf von Henselt.
Close Culture program—co-financed by the funds of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage