What does the apparitions of Our woman in Gietrzwald of 1877 connect with the large geopolitical game led by the powers in the late 19th century? Could the large War have already begun in 1914? Or is the context inactive up to date?
He tries to answer these and another questions Grzegorz Braun in his latest documentary Gwierzwald 1877. planet War. We were at his preview show for the press.
From Warmian village to Guatemala
In it we see images of a tiny Warmian village – Gietrzwald (then called Dietrichswalde in German). The apparitions there are visible to 2 girls – Barbara Samulowska and Safrin Justin. They last throughout the summertime until September 1877. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims arrive (which is not only religious). Samulowska later joins the assembly of the grey sisters. He goes to Guatemala, where he dies in 1950.
In the century of these events their importance is recognized by the church hierarchy. Among modern theologians, Fr. prof. Krzysztof Bielawny from the Higher Seminary of the Church of Elbląg. However, not the revelations themselves are the main issue of the movie by the leader of the Confederation of the Polish Crown.
One step from the large War
The main subject of the movie is the thesis of his author that in 1877 a planet war might have taken place. Let us briefly callback the context: Russia enters another war with Ottoman Turkey, where the east Balkans are at stake, and even control of Constantinople (and the same Black Sea and part of the Mediterranean). The British are horrified by the march of the Russian Empire southward, in a direction allowing them to cut off their way to India. The large game of the continental empire (Russia) with the maritime empire (UK) continues. These are the 2 main actors in the event. But there are besides continental players. Austria-Hungary do not want St. Petersburg to be strengthened in the Slavic Balkans, which they themselves consider to be their sphere of influence. Chancellor Germany Otto von Bismarck and commander-in-chief of the Prussian army gene. Helmutha von Moltke They look with concern at the emergence in power of Russia and wonder about the anticipation of moving the border with it on Polish lands to the east. another players besides stay tense.
Modernity – historical analogy
What action do these players take? Russia is moving to Turkey with her leading a bloody and ruthless war in Bulgaria. Austro-Hungary makes their territory available to possible Polish insurgents. To the fresh anti-Russian uprising, I insist London. Poles were to transfer suicide blood in the name of weakening the land empire that Britain is fighting. For this intent in Vienna Adam Sapieha holds meetings with the British envoy and parliamentarian Henry Munro-Butler-Johnstone. They talk about the support of the outbreak of the Polish uprising, which would most likely consequence in the effects even more for tragic Poles than late completed with a terrible defeat, the January uprising. The Americans – as Grzegorz Braun pointed out very well – are active in Eurasia for the first time so intensely (although indirectly). Their goal is to as much as possible weaken and bleed out in the cruel war of regional powers. The Turks are selling the celebrated Winchester rifles. To the Russians – the prototype of device guns, or Gatling cards. The communication lines (mainly railways) indicate that the possible theatre of armed actions (not only the uprising) will be Polish lands.
However, it did not happen until nearly 4 decades later. For now, the crisis is averted by the Berlin Peace of 1878. However, the movie clearly shows analogies, especially to the current situation in Ukraine, but besides to the script in the mediate East, peculiarly intensely after 7 October last year.
In the eye of the cyclone, on the periphery of choice
According to Grzegorz Braun, Poland was already at that time the eye of the cyclone – a place peculiarly susceptible to the effects of violent rivalry of powers. As the Euro MPs of the Confederate stated in the media show, "Poles are eager to play the function of firewood". It is so not by chance that they would instrumentally (and inactive want) treat them with Anglo-Saxons conducting an ongoing properly-depleting and biting operation of the borders of the Eurasian land empire. This is supported by the alarmingly low level of knowing of reality by the Polish political class – Braun recalled the pessimistic diagnosis here Józef Mackiewicz.
According to the politician and director, now Ukrainians were in the function of then Poles, much more likely to spill blood and violent actions. any of the photos for the movie were in Guatemala, where she served and died. Grzegorz Braun told journalists about his impressions of visiting this country. He described the effects of subordination to the United States of America. And he warned on her example that "Soyose with the United States is no lift to success". The subjection of the Anglo-Saxons can lead not only to periphery, but even, as our own past shows, to the tragedy and demolition of the nation.
Worth watching
Grzegorz Braun's documentary emanates with a current message, in fact anti-war. This is not a historical story, nor a spiritual communicative about the gietzwald revelations. It's alternatively clear. memento addressed to contemporary Poles, any of whom are trying to draw into the warfire. In addition, the movie was produced very professionally (the maker is simply a associate of the Confederation of the Polish Crown, Vladimir Skalik). The authors travelled to a number of countries (such as Guatemala, but besides Turkey, Bulgaria or Russia). They have collected statements from excellent researchers and historians from various countries dealing with this period. Interestingly, as Grzegorz Braun mentioned, in Polish historiography the year 1877 is practically omitted, and if already – it is treated very occasionally. In fact, only Prof. Stefan Kieniewicz. That is why no national historian speaks from surviving scholars in the film.
The paper by Euro MP Braun is looking at the highest quality, professional documentology. Therefore, without a shadow of a uncertainty you can urge going to 1 of the scheduled screenings, which will take place in the following months in different regions of the country.
Mateusz Piskorski
Gwierzwald 1877. planet War, scenes. and directed by Grzegorz Braun, Poland 2024.
