Remarks on the Gdańsk Shipyard – THE WORLD famous Shipyard

It annoys me immensely that we Poles have no idea how to value success. As a body, we don’t know how to be proud of them. We have a rare talent to spoil them, and to discredit them. This can be found in any newspaper, as our reality is widely discussed, not only within the EU bodies.

It seems to me that Poles can only celebrate defeats.

I was brought up in a different manner. I am proud of all our (even small, local) victories. I am proud of our national successes.

Solidarity and the insurgency of the shipyard workers were such a success. It was not a local one. It was a great movement. I always tell the groups I guide, how the people of Poland had enough of the „communist” system, and how they „cut” the first cracks in the Berlin Wall as early as 1980.

Meanwhile – the iconic place, that changed the geopolitics of countries behind the Iron Curtain in the 1980s, looks just like shown in my photos below.

Of course, I understand that today large halls have been replaced by computers and appropriate computer programs for drawing and designing, but neglecting infrastructure with a such great history and a great potential is reprehensible.

Here, these abandoned and neglected halls could be turned into lofts, offices, restaurants, cultural centers. Maybe apartments, like the one showed in „Nash Bridges” series.

Sadly we have been observing for years now, that the architectural (historical) heritage is being destroyed in Gdańsk. Instead – dull blocks are being built, identical, as can be seen in any modern city. The blocks without a soul, or spirit.

The old shipyard halls in Gdansk Shipyard are a good example of industrial architecture at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. And here this kind of architecture was of a very fine quality.

If – whenever – you will be visiting Gdańsk – do not forget to drop into the shipyard compounds, as it may be the last moment to see the original buildings in the cradle of Solidarity.

I will gladly tell you the story of the place, as well as the story of how Solidarity came into being, and how come it was such a success. And also – what the Polish Solidarity movement had to do with the fall of the Berlin Wall.

In the meanwhile – HERE are the pictures I took last winter. Enjoy.