1985 Zielinski brothers escape
Encyclopedia
In 1985, two teenage brothers from the village of Żyraków
(at the Wisłoka river, near Dębica
), southeastern Poland
, decided to flee Communist-controlled Poland. Hidden under a TIR truck
, they managed to get to Sweden
. Four years later, Polish movie director Maciej Dejczer, together with Cezary Harasimowicz (they co-wrote the screenplay) made a film “300 mil do nieba” (English: 300 Miles to Heaven), which is based on the boys’ escape, with some facts, including details of the escape, changed. Cezary Harasimowicz said in an interview that the boys’ escape served as an inspiration. The film won an award at the 1989 European Film Awards.
player. Neither saw any future in the 1980s, crisis-stricken country. They wanted to escape to the United States
, to help their parents, who were supporting eight children. In 1985 Adam just started high school in Dębica, and Krzysztof attended the seventh-grade of the elementary school.
for at least a few days.
The brothers boarded a night express train to Warsaw
. As the train was carrying drunken soldiers, nobody showed interest in the two teenagers travelling by themselves. Krzysztof later admitted that their original plan was to secretly board an airplane to the United States. In the morning they reached Warsaw and went to Okęcie airport, but it was surrounded by soldiers and patrol dogs, so they gave up and changed plans. However, they knew about ferries
cruising between the Baltic Sea
ports of Świnoujście
and Ystad
in Sweden
. Thus, they boarded another train, from Warsaw to Szczecin
, and then to Świnoujście.
At the port, they caught attention of a soldier of the Wojska Ochrony Pogranicza (Border Defence Troops, WOP). He checked Adam Zieliński’s ID, and asked the brothers what they were doing. Unconvinced by the answer, the soldiers ordered the boys to get into a train and return to their hometown. However, the train stopped after a while and the teenagers jumped out of it, returning to the parking lot.
Soon afterwards, they found a truck with Polish licence plates, hid under the trailer and spent the whole night there. The truck started next day at noon and entered a line of vehicles, waiting to embark on the ferry. According to Krzysztof Zieliński, patrol dogs were sick on that day, which was a great relief for the escapees. Also, even though a customs officer checked the chassis with a flashlight, he failed to notice the frightened boys. Then the truck drove off, to stop again. After a final checkout of the cargo, the vehicle drove onto the ferry.
The boys stayed all the time under the truck, even though they were hungry and cold. After a few hours the ferry landed in Swedish port of Ystad. The truck left the boat and parked on a lot. Zieliński brothers took advantage of it and fled. Krzysztof later stated that they had no idea where they were. However, soon afterwards they saw Western-made cars and colorful stores, full of merchandise. This was a stark contrast to the 1980s, drab reality of Poland.
Currently, Adam Zieliński, a graduate of a technical college, lives in Vetlanda
with a Polish wife and two children. His younger brother studied chemistry, but graduated in economics and lives in Stockholm. The brothers often travel to Poland to visit their family.
Zyraków
Żyraków is a village in Dębica County, Subcarpathian Voivodeship, in south-eastern Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Żyraków. It lies approximately north of Dębica and west of the regional capital Rzeszów....
(at the Wisłoka river, near Dębica
Debica
Dębica is a town in southeastern Poland with 46,693 inhabitants, as of 2 June 2009. It is the capital of Dębica County. Since 1999 it has been situated in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship; it had previously been in the Tarnów Voivodeship .-Area:...
), southeastern Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, decided to flee Communist-controlled Poland. Hidden under a TIR truck
TIR Treaty
The Convention on International Transport of Goods Under Cover of TIR Carnets was made at Geneva on 14 November 1975 to simplify and harmonise the administrative formalities of international road transport....
, they managed to get to Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. Four years later, Polish movie director Maciej Dejczer, together with Cezary Harasimowicz (they co-wrote the screenplay) made a film “300 mil do nieba” (English: 300 Miles to Heaven), which is based on the boys’ escape, with some facts, including details of the escape, changed. Cezary Harasimowicz said in an interview that the boys’ escape served as an inspiration. The film won an award at the 1989 European Film Awards.
Introduction
15-year old Adam Zieliński and 13-year old Krzysztof Zieliński were typical Polish teenagers. The older one was interested in birds, his younger brother dreamed about being a pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
player. Neither saw any future in the 1980s, crisis-stricken country. They wanted to escape to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, to help their parents, who were supporting eight children. In 1985 Adam just started high school in Dębica, and Krzysztof attended the seventh-grade of the elementary school.
Train journey
In October 1985 the brothers left their family home in Żyraków, without telling their parents. Later, their mother found a letter, in which the boys assured her that they had always loved her and felt good at home, but there were other reasons for the escape. Also, the teenagers asked their parents not to inform the milicjaMilicja Obywatelska
Milicja Obywatelska was a state police institution in the People's Republic of Poland. It was created in 1944 by Soviet-sponsored PKWN, effectively replacing the pre-war police force. In 1990 it was transformed back into Policja....
for at least a few days.
The brothers boarded a night express train to Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
. As the train was carrying drunken soldiers, nobody showed interest in the two teenagers travelling by themselves. Krzysztof later admitted that their original plan was to secretly board an airplane to the United States. In the morning they reached Warsaw and went to Okęcie airport, but it was surrounded by soldiers and patrol dogs, so they gave up and changed plans. However, they knew about ferries
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
cruising between the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
ports of Świnoujście
Swinoujscie
Świnoujście is a city and seaport on the Baltic Sea and Szczecin Lagoon, located in the extreme north-west of Poland. It is situated mainly on the islands of Uznam and Wolin, but also occupies smaller islands, of which the largest is Karsibór island, once part of Usedom, now separated by a Piast...
and Ystad
Ystad
Ystad is a "locality", or town, and the seat of Ystad Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden, with 17,286 inhabitants .Settlement dates back to the 11th century and the town has become a busy ferryport, local administrative centre and tourist attraction...
in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. Thus, they boarded another train, from Warsaw to Szczecin
Szczecin
Szczecin , is the capital city of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. It is the country's seventh-largest city and the largest seaport in Poland on the Baltic Sea. As of June 2009 the population was 406,427....
, and then to Świnoujście.
Across the Baltic sea
After arriving at Świnoujście, the teenagers went to see the ferry port and a parking lot, with several trucks, waiting for a journey to Sweden. They decided to get under a trailer of one of the trucks.At the port, they caught attention of a soldier of the Wojska Ochrony Pogranicza (Border Defence Troops, WOP). He checked Adam Zieliński’s ID, and asked the brothers what they were doing. Unconvinced by the answer, the soldiers ordered the boys to get into a train and return to their hometown. However, the train stopped after a while and the teenagers jumped out of it, returning to the parking lot.
Soon afterwards, they found a truck with Polish licence plates, hid under the trailer and spent the whole night there. The truck started next day at noon and entered a line of vehicles, waiting to embark on the ferry. According to Krzysztof Zieliński, patrol dogs were sick on that day, which was a great relief for the escapees. Also, even though a customs officer checked the chassis with a flashlight, he failed to notice the frightened boys. Then the truck drove off, to stop again. After a final checkout of the cargo, the vehicle drove onto the ferry.
The boys stayed all the time under the truck, even though they were hungry and cold. After a few hours the ferry landed in Swedish port of Ystad. The truck left the boat and parked on a lot. Zieliński brothers took advantage of it and fled. Krzysztof later stated that they had no idea where they were. However, soon afterwards they saw Western-made cars and colorful stores, full of merchandise. This was a stark contrast to the 1980s, drab reality of Poland.
In Sweden
Krzysztof Zieliński recalled that they were walking along the streets of Ystad, when they were approached by a policeman. As they did not speak Swedish, they were taken to a station, where an interpreter appeared. The brothers stated they wanted to apply for an asylum. The Swedish government twice denied it, but in the meantime Polish immigrants, members of the Solidarity movement, organized a press campaign. Furthermore, the Polish government in reprisal deprived their parents custody of the teenagers. Eventually, the Swedish government relented and placed the boys first in a refugee camp and later with a Polish-Swedish family.Currently, Adam Zieliński, a graduate of a technical college, lives in Vetlanda
Vetlanda
Vetlanda is a locality and the seat of Vetlanda Municipality, Jönköping County, Sweden with 12,691 inhabitants in 2005.-History:Vetlanda was still nothing more than a village for several centuries. With the 1840s population boom in Småland, and the industrial revolution winning grounds in Sweden,...
with a Polish wife and two children. His younger brother studied chemistry, but graduated in economics and lives in Stockholm. The brothers often travel to Poland to visit their family.
Sources
- Interview with Krzysztof Zielinski, on which most of the article was based
- ALE KINO at www.alekino.pl
- Strona G³ówna Dêbica City Magazine at www.pcvokna.pl
- A scene from the film