Lucyna Sadzikowska – författare

The history of Upper Silesia is intertwined with the activities of Silesian priest Konrad Szweda, a victim of persecutions by German Nazism and Soviet communism. This book contains previously unknown letters and secret correspondence of Fr. Konrad Szweda, enriching the literature of personal documents related to World War II. These egodocuments, part of an anthology of invaluable source texts on the human spirit in “inhuman times”, offer historical material for further research on the clergy. Biographical details and factual nuances reveal surprising paradoxes, forgotten contexts, and facts, challenging established stereotypes and inspiring deeper insights into the complex fabric of the past.

Patriotism is founded on the natural human need for lasting interpersonal bonds and is thus anchored in personal identity. Throughout Polish history, there has emerged a specific understanding and experience of patriotism. During World War II, the generation that grew up in the interwar period demonstrated the value of patriotism – being able to prioritize the good of the homeland and being ready to die for one’s country. The egodocuments collected in this book (secret messages and letters, official correspondence, and camp and prison documents) relate to the Koz˙don´ family from Chwałowice and the Kupiec brothers from Poronin and serve as a representative sample of the significance of Polish patriotism under the challenging circumstances of World War II. These two families are emblematic of the sacrifice of individuals who fought for Poland’s independence and displayed an uncompromising attitude towards the Nazi occupier.