Red Plague (poem)
Encyclopedia
Red Plague is a Polish
poem, written in 1944 by Józef Szczepański
, a World War II
time poet, who died during the Warsaw Uprising
. Red plague inspired Polish Oscar-winning film director, Andrzej Wajda
to create the movie Kanał. The poem, which described the failed hopes of Warsaw insurgents that Red Army
would save them, was banned in the People's Republic of Poland
due to its anti-Soviet context; during the Stalin era the very possession of it was punishable by imprisonment.
Szczepanski wrote it on August 29, 1944, just a few days before his death (he died on September 10). The author expressed his anger at the Red Army
units, which were positioned on the eastern bank of the Vistula
, but did not help the insurgents (We are waiting for you, red plague... you will be salvation welcomed with revulsion... we are waiting for you, our eternal enemy... bloody murderer of so many of our brethren...Your red, victorious army has been lying at the bright feet of burning Warsaw and is feeding its soul with bloody pain of a handful of madmen who are dying in the ruins).
Excerpts of the poem were used by a Polish rock band Lao Che
in its Warsaw Uprising album
(in the song Czerniakow
).
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...
poem, written in 1944 by Józef Szczepański
Józef Szczepanski
Józef Szczepański was a Polish poet who was a member of the Armia Krajowa Polish resistance. Commander of the Batalion Parasol during the Warsaw Uprising, known under his codename Ziutek, he was also a notable poet of the occupation period...
, a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
time poet, who died during the Warsaw Uprising
Warsaw Uprising
The Warsaw Uprising was a major World War II operation by the Polish resistance Home Army , to liberate Warsaw from Nazi Germany. The rebellion was timed to coincide with the Soviet Union's Red Army approaching the eastern suburbs of the city and the retreat of German forces...
. Red plague inspired Polish Oscar-winning film director, Andrzej Wajda
Andrzej Wajda
Andrzej Wajda is a Polish film director. Recipient of an honorary Oscar, he is possibly the most prominent member of the unofficial "Polish Film School"...
to create the movie Kanał. The poem, which described the failed hopes of Warsaw insurgents that Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
would save them, was banned in the People's Republic of Poland
People's Republic of Poland
The People's Republic of Poland was the official name of Poland from 1952 to 1990. Although the Soviet Union took control of the country immediately after the liberation from Nazi Germany in 1944, the name of the state was not changed until eight years later...
due to its anti-Soviet context; during the Stalin era the very possession of it was punishable by imprisonment.
Szczepanski wrote it on August 29, 1944, just a few days before his death (he died on September 10). The author expressed his anger at the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
units, which were positioned on the eastern bank of the Vistula
Vistula
The Vistula is the longest and the most important river in Poland, at 1,047 km in length. The watershed area of the Vistula is , of which lies within Poland ....
, but did not help the insurgents (We are waiting for you, red plague... you will be salvation welcomed with revulsion... we are waiting for you, our eternal enemy... bloody murderer of so many of our brethren...Your red, victorious army has been lying at the bright feet of burning Warsaw and is feeding its soul with bloody pain of a handful of madmen who are dying in the ruins).
Excerpts of the poem were used by a Polish rock band Lao Che
Lao Che
Lao Che may refer to:* Lao Che , character of the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom* Lao Che , a Polish music band* Lao Che , the family of Laozi. See also taoism...
in its Warsaw Uprising album
Powstanie Warszawskie (album)
Powstanie Warszawskie is a second studio album released in March of 2005 by Polish band Lao Che. It consists of 10 songs illustrating the course of 1944 uprising in Warsaw, Poland. The album received many prestigious nominations and awards:* No...
(in the song Czerniakow
Czerniaków
Czerniaków is a neighbourhood of the city of Warsaw, located within the borough of Mokotów, between the escarpment of the Vistula river and the river itself....
).