Janek returns to Poland
Janek returns to Poland
In September 2000, Janek and Eve visited Poland.
Leaving Washington on the 8th, they flew to Toronto and caught the LOT Polish airlines flight to Warsaw arriving in the morning of the 11th. After a few days there, they took a train for Krakow returning to Warsaw on the 20th and finally arriving back in Washington on the 24th.
During what was undoubtedly a nostalgic visit for Janek, Eve took the opportunity to video record Janek's recollections of his life.
Ed. In about 2014 Eve sent me 4 DVDs and I undertook the task of collating, editing and creating the videos. A few years passed, but finally the edits were completed in 2020. The results are published here.
Leaving Washington on the 8th, they flew to Toronto and caught the LOT Polish airlines flight to Warsaw arriving in the morning of the 11th. After a few days there, they took a train for Krakow returning to Warsaw on the 20th and finally arriving back in Washington on the 24th.
During what was undoubtedly a nostalgic visit for Janek, Eve took the opportunity to video record Janek's recollections of his life.
Ed. In about 2014 Eve sent me 4 DVDs and I undertook the task of collating, editing and creating the videos. A few years passed, but finally the edits were completed in 2020. The results are published here.
DVD1-00 Introduction.mp4THE TRUCKS
Janek goes to Russia to bring coal to the power station. He manages to convince the German Commandant to lend him his trucks to transport brown coal to the power station.
Janek goes to Russia to bring coal to the power station. He manages to convince the German Commandant to lend him his trucks to transport brown coal to the power station.
DVD1-04 The Trucks.mp4LUNCH WITH FOLTA FAMILY
Jan Folta and family invite Janek for lunch. Jan Folta was Janek's no. 2 in India and Janek helped him to establish his life in Poland after returning from India.
Jan Folta and family invite Janek for lunch. Jan Folta was Janek's no. 2 in India and Janek helped him to establish his life in Poland after returning from India.
DVD1-08 Lunch with Foltas.mp4VISIT TO THE JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Janek and Eve visit the Jewish Historical Society in search of some documents. Some of these are published in the Memorabilia page.
Janek and Eve visit the Jewish Historical Society in search of some documents. Some of these are published in the Memorabilia page.
DVD1-09 Visit to the Jewish Historical Society.mp4A WALK AROUND KRAKOW
Janek and Eve go to Krakow from Warsaw by train. They walk through the old Jewish district Kazimierz to the family apartment and then to the Wawel Castle.
Janek and Eve go to Krakow from Warsaw by train. They walk through the old Jewish district Kazimierz to the family apartment and then to the Wawel Castle.
DVD2-13 Jan walks around Krakow.mp4WARSAW APARTMENT
Jan talks about the apartment he and Wanda had in Warsaw in Stare Miasto (old City).
Jan talks about the apartment he and Wanda had in Warsaw in Stare Miasto (old City).
DVD1-06 The Warsaw Apartment.mp4POWER INDUSTRY IN POST-WAR POLAND
The establishment of power industry following the war was top priority for the Polish Government. The minister for power and mining asked Janek to manage and setup an office in Katowice.
The establishment of power industry following the war was top priority for the Polish Government. The minister for power and mining asked Janek to manage and setup an office in Katowice.
DVD1-01 Development of Power Industry in Post-War Poland.mp4THE KRAKOW APARTMENT
Janek is disappointed that the current occupiers of the old apartment would not let him in. He describes the boys' life in the apartment, where they slept and how they raided the cookie jar.
Janek is disappointed that the current occupiers of the old apartment would not let him in. He describes the boys' life in the apartment, where they slept and how they raided the cookie jar.
DVD2-14 Jan reminisces life in Krakow.mp4DELHI TO WASHINGTON
Janek relates how he, with the help of the CIA he with Wanda escaped from Delhi and ended up in Washington. The full story in on th e "Stories" page of this website.
Janek relates how he, with the help of the CIA he with Wanda escaped from Delhi and ended up in Washington. The full story in on th e "Stories" page of this website.
DVD1-02 Delhi to Washington.mp4WIELICZKAJanek and Eve visit Wieliczka Salt mine near Krakow. There is a lovely clip at the end where some Children sing to Janek.
DVD3-15 Wieliczka.mp4ROMANJanek tells Eve about his brother Roman (Romek). He was the oldest brother and was killed duing the war.
DVD3-16b Roman.mp4KRAKOWJanek and Eve take a walk around Krakow. They walk through park "Planty", visi the hospital where Eve was born, the old Market place, and where Janek went to school.
DVD3-17 Around Krakow.mp4MAGDA , ADAM DROBOT and THE SECRET
Adam Drobot who was Wanda's son from her first marriage, was looked after by Magda, who adored him and was his nanny.. He did not know that Janek was not his biological father and Janek describes his reaction when told. The fact that he and the rest of the family were Jewish was a well known family "secret". Janek outlines his and Wanda's reasons why his heritage was kept from him.
Adam Drobot who was Wanda's son from her first marriage, was looked after by Magda, who adored him and was his nanny.. He did not know that Janek was not his biological father and Janek describes his reaction when told. The fact that he and the rest of the family were Jewish was a well known family "secret". Janek outlines his and Wanda's reasons why his heritage was kept from him.
DVD4-18 Magda and the Secret.mp4LEAVING POLAND
Janek describes how he decided to leave Poland and emigrate to the US. He was a member of the communist party, joined the forign service and accepted an assignment in India. After a few years he decided to defect with the help from the CIA. The full story is told in the "Stories" page of this website.
Janek describes how he decided to leave Poland and emigrate to the US. He was a member of the communist party, joined the forign service and accepted an assignment in India. After a few years he decided to defect with the help from the CIA. The full story is told in the "Stories" page of this website.
DVD4-19 Leaving Poland.mp4