At the II Liceum Ogólnokształcącym in Bolesławiec, a meeting was held with Danuta Maślicka, a doctor of humanities, longtime teacher, “S” activist and author of the book “Znikopis. Pamiętasz, była solidarność”. The meeting was opened by Mirosław Sakowski, the school’s principal, who introduced Maślicka.
– Solidarity is one of the most beautiful words – said the author of “Znikopis...” – In those days, “Solidarity” was something extraordinary; people helped one another, and this attitude spread throughout the country. This movement taught us that a free person is someone free from hatred. We did not use the methods employed today: brutal language full of venom. The idea of “S” was a nonviolent struggle, and our role model was Mahatma Gandhi.
– I must immodestly admit that my husband, my son and I belong to those who changed Poland. In every society, when something important happens, some people say that they do not care at all, others watch closely, and still others get involved, risking the loss of their jobs, their health and sometimes their lives – the author recounted. – My entire family became involved in “S”. My husband was dismissed from his job because of it, while I ended up in prison in Wrocław and they wanted to deprive me of the right to work as a teacher.
Maślicka also spoke about internment, the practices of the secret police and the circumstances in which “Znikopis...” was created. – I had been considering writing this book for a long time – she said. – In the subtitle, the word solidarity is written with a lowercase letter because I was not referring to the trade union, but to the idea that united people. When I realized how many lies there were about those times, I decided to write down what my family and I had taken part in.
The author distanced herself from today’s “Solidarity”. She defended Lech Wałęsa. – He is now mocked by various groups and called Bolek. We do not know how to appreciate and respect our heroes – she concluded.
At the end of the meeting, Danuta Maślicka addressed the young people gathered in the II LO auditorium: – I am not disappointed in Poland. I know that it is not easy to be free and maintain democracy. But this is also your task.
(information: ii)