I previously described "reviews of Korczak's books by the NSDAP and PZPR"(NSDAP - Nazi party during 30-ties and PZPR - Polish communist party during 50-ties). Today, I will describe, the release of the Ghetto Diary by Korczak.
The history of the publication of Korczak's Diary in the first "post-Stalinist" period was described by Ela Frydman from the PZWS-editorial office and the Korczak Committee.
The meeting in question was specially convened because there was a reluctance to publish Korczak, as described here, rooted in the Stalinist era. Korczak's collaborator, the director of PiPS, prof. Maria Grzegorzewska is mentioned in this memoir.
It was in 1959 or maybe 1960 (It was actually 1956 or 1957). A group of professors gathered in the office of the director of "Nasza Księgarnia", including Maria Grzegorzewska, management and editors of the publishing house, Korczak members. The topic of the meeting was the edition of "The Old Doctor's Diary". Opponents and supporters of the immediate publication of J. Korczak's last work written in the Ghetto spoke. I will not discuss this issue, I will only devote a few sentences to Misha.
When the atmosphere of quarrels, disputes, and controversies became too heated, the calm, balanced voice of Michał Wróblewski was heard. I cannot tell you the content of his speech, I only remember the silence that reigned in the office, I remember the clear tone of the account about the life of the Orphan Home in the Ghetto, the heroic attitude of the Doctor, the work of rickshaw drivers done by the older pupils and also by Michał. He said - I remember exactly - And for them, I was not a person, I was a number" (according to the number of the rickshaw). Finally, about returning from work on August 5, 1942, the day of the Holocaust of the Orphan Home. Naturally, the arguments stopped and there was silence. The publication of "The Notebook" was approved. And that's not the point. The director of Our Bookstore (Mr. Borejszczyna) and the other participants asked Mr. Wróblewski so that he could write down his memories.
| Korczak´s wartime writings, the diary, and spectacles were saved by my father Pan Misza (Michal Wasserman Wroblewski). |
