The past of Dr. Ratajczak

The final discussion with Dr. Darius Ratajczak is in Opole. Whose victim is the late historian? Students, “Gazeta Wyborcza”, their own views, ostracism or addiction?



Updated: 03.07.2010 16:24 Publication: 02.07.2010 04:14



Agnieszka Rybak



There were no obituary. Only a twelve people followed the coffin. Closest household and a fistful of friends. The next day an announcement appeared in the local newspaper. The household profoundly regretted that on June 22, the tragically deceased Dariusz Ratajczak, age 47, was buried. She thanked all those “who were kind to Darius for years.”

Eleven days earlier, under the Carolina buying Center on the outskirts of Opole in a Renault Kangoo car, safety found the body of a man. The papers indicated that the deceased may be a doctor of past Dariusz Ratajczak, who was heard about 11 years earlier by the full of Poland erstwhile he was accused of spreading the alleged Oświęcim lie.


It went viral. The victim of intrigue, chases, hounds – these are the most common opinions. any net users with outrage reported that in the online edition of “Gazeta Wyborcza” in the title of the first information on Ratajczak's death, the phrase “the body of the Oświęcim liar” was utilized (then the title was changed). “Our Journal” was the responsibility of “Gazeta Wyborcza” and reported that Ratajczak most likely committed suicide.

“Our Journal” besides quoted the opinion that the historian “was the victim of an intrigue at the University of Opole”. individual on the network posted the names and phones of respective university employees. With a proposition to call and ask: What would be the decision today? Do they agree with the common feeling that being expelled from work was the origin of today’s tragedy?

As usual, conspiracy theories have besides emerged: “What is the connection between stopping Mossad agent and the death of Dr. Ratajczak?” “Who murdered?” and a pathetic appeal for the establishment of a Freedom of Word Committee whose primary intent would be to aid people in a situation akin to the tragically deceased. 1 thing is certain: the death of Darius Ratajczak left no 1 in Opole indifferent.



He was brilliant, intelligent. At the same time, very approachable, pally. But he was loved by students," says a colleague.

- Colored character, colorful bird. I estimated that for specified there should be a place at the university – says Prof. Stanisław Nicieja, promoter of his doctoral thesis.

– It is apparent that he could not fit into the environment of the University of Opole – in turn there is no uncertainty Wiesław Ukleja, a legend of the Opole opposition, a friend of Ratajczak.

Many envied Ratajczak's acquainted household and career. Pzodek, Franciszek Ratajczak, died in the Wielkopolska Uprising. Father Cyril, a well-known lawyer in Opole, defended in political matters. Among another things, he led the celebrated case of the Kowalczyk brothers, who in protest against the events of December ’70 blew up the hall of the Higher Pedagogical School in Opole on the eve of the militia academy. WSP was then called Red Sorbonne. Here for their diplomas came organization dignitaries and SB officers. most likely that's why he sent his boy to Poznań for his studies in history.


On his return, Dariusz Ratajczak found a position at the Higher Pedagogical School. prof. Stanislaw Niciej took him to the Institute of History. – usually the university hires its graduates. The fact that I invited him to the interview has decided his father's position. Mr Darius made a good impression on me, he knew English very well. I decided to accept it – says the professor.

From then on, Nitsey became the promoter of his career. The professor, who belonged to the PZPR, was a follower of the " positivist note", however, he had no opposition to leave capable students associated with opposition at the university.


Wiesław Ukleja mentions that he first met Ratajczak in 1988 at the conspiracy gathering of the 1980 – 1988 independency Group. It was about sticking together the various currents of the opposition then operating. – From this gathering I remembered Dark as passionate about past endowed with a superb and independent method of inference, built up solid erudition. He was a nationalist. I am a supporter of the Pilsudian political thought. What we no uncertainty shared was anti-communism, says Ukleja. Dariusz Ratajczak did not hide the Endek ideas. In the early 1990s, he sympathized with the National Party. “The CHP was far besides mild for him,” says a fellow historian.

Professor Nicieja made Ratajczak his assistant. Years later, he recalls that his associate had a complicated personality. He had love or hatred for people. He had friends he was friends with, and then he didn't talk to them. But the students liked him very much. – He led exercises and placed fives on everyone. It made the exam hard for me, due to the fact that for respective minutes it was hard to know what kind of student I was dealing with. I kept telling him, "Help me. And he replied, “They are all good.”

Ratajczak was popular. He's been very friendly. He went with the youth to “you”. He went for a beer. He loved discussions, and the interviewer was brilliant. His doctoral thesis – on judicial matters: political and criminal in the times of Stalinism – was prepared under the patronage of Prof. Niciei. “He was my student,” says the professor. I was trying to aid him. We've been speeding up the word of defense, due to the fact that a university worker has to doctorate in 8 years.

In 1997. Ratajczak defended his PhD. By 1999 he had already published: “Poles in Vilnius 1939 – 1944”, “The evidence of Fr Wojczak”, “National Underground Army”.

Zbigniew Górniak, writer of Polish Radio Opole and “New Tribune of Opole”, recalls: “We wrote a humorous text with a colleague: 10 most promising careers. We put Ratajczak in this ten. We imagined that there was a long, interesting career ahead of Dark. shortly after that, alternatively of a career, the scandal broke out.




To this day, it is not truly clear what he needed the publication “Dangerous Temes”. A tiny book, which, as it turned out, had the power to fire an atomic bomb, spent 350 copies of its own money in 1999. She points out: “A lot of harsh, provocative, environmental protests. Everything depends on strong nerves and a sense of humor.” And then he writes that cyclone B was utilized in concentration camps for disinfection, not murder. "The final conclusion comes to mind: in the camps, people died mainly from malnutrition, mediocre hygiene, murderous work, and bodies were burned in crematoria to prevent the epidemic." It summarizes the opinions of Western revisionists, mixes them with its own. – The book was unhappy not only due to this – 1 of the employees of the Institute of past believes. It contains a publicistic language, a streak with a red profession, anonymous epithets that the university's employees felt were directed at them. You could buy a book at a college newsstand. The author gave it to colleagues with dedication.

However, the publication would have passed without an echo if the manager of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum had not been curious in it. A year earlier, the Act on IPN came into force, and it was a provision on punishments for the lie. The case was described by ‘Gazeta Wyborcza’.

In Opole media appeared – nationwide and world-wide broadcasts and tv stations. – There was a time erstwhile I had all the radio stations from around the planet in my office. Ratajczak, and next to him, the University of Opole, became the number 1 message – says Prof. Niciej. In the case, authority spoke. “I was getting letters of honorary doctors of the university that they would give the titles in protest,” says Prof. Niciej today. The university, created by the merger of the Higher Pedagogical School and the branch of the Catholic University of Lublin, has been operating for only 5 years. Nobody wanted that kind of publicity.

One of the employees of the Institute of History: – It caused panic. Questions, what will result? And the reaction will come back.

– I had the impression that Ratajczak had not full realized the seriousness of the situation. He felt that popularity carried him, he could not see in which direction," says 1 of the employees of the Institute of History. prof. Nicieja: – He did not perceive to anyone. He thought it would happen erstwhile they called him by his name. He attacked a college in the media. I thought possibly the reaction would be different if he met us and started a dialogue. I called him. And I asked, “Mr. Dark, do you truly think that?” He replied, “Yes, I have so much to say.” And he hung up. I've been through it a lot.




– no of the employees of the Institute of past have acted against it,” says the university employee. Although there was an thought to compose on behalf of the institute a letter cutting off from Ratajczak. However, prof. Krzysztof Tarka protested. He argued that Dr. Ratajczak is an adult and is liable for his own words. There's no letter.

The university disciplinary committee began playing a waitout with the prosecution. any expected a message of guilt. Eventually, in 2000, the university banned Ratajczak from performing his teaching profession for 3 years. The Public Prosecutor's Office has made a charge – Article 55 of the Act on IPN, or an Oświęcim lie.


Ewa Kosakowska, erstwhile writer of “New Trybuna Opolskia”: “I met him erstwhile I was writing about the trial. I was amazed he was so open to the media. He greeted us and said goodbye, eagerly spoke and did not insult any newspapers. He was distinguished by intelligence, eloquence. He had cognition in many areas.

A friend of the historian says: "I visited him at home. I remember piles of books, mostly English-speaking. He was looking for arguments.




Ratajczak defended himself. He explained that he quoted the views of Western revisionists, not always marking them. The attorney's father never showed up at the trial. They could have prepped the defence line. It could besides have been that the old man disagreed with his boy and refused to witness the disaster.

Leszek Bubel, a publisher known for his anti-Semitic views, began to appear in the courtroom. Ratajczak welcomed him. During this time he besides finds support on Radio Maryja. He is defended by prof. Richard Bender and Peter Rain. The territory court dismissed the proceedings due to the negligible harm of the act. The D.A. has appealed. In the end, the court found blame, but the case was dismissed due to minimal social harm.

According to the study which can be found on the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum website today, the court justified specified a settlement with the low edition of Ratajczak's book and the fact that in its second edition the author cut off the views of the alleged Holocaust-deniers (persons who deny the fact of the Holocaust), stating: "I cannot agree with the view that gas chambers did not be in concentration camps on Polish lands. There are witnesses. On the another hand, I believe that the number of 6 million Jews killed as a consequence of German savagery [...] is strongly, very much exaggerated.”

Ratajczak was hired as a watchman at a liquor store. Apparently, the owner complained, “Ratajczak either writes or reads alternatively of watching.” Demonstration work below qualifications was perceived by any as manifestations. The teasing of reality. Communication type: I'd alternatively work in a liquor store than say what I disagree with. Political correctness won't break me.

Zbigniew Górniak: – Provincial Prosecutor Franciszek Lewandowski in the state of war refused to accuse the opposition. He left the D.A.'s office and worked at a city-cleaning facility. That's where he asked to get a reviral under the D.A.'s office. As his colleagues entered or left the building, they encountered Lewandowski with a broom. It was kind of a demonstration.




One of the employees of the Institute of History: – The wolf ticket followed him. He tried to work in schools or institutes, but erstwhile it turned out to be this Ratajczak, he was refused. Everyone is afraid of the questions: Why do you employment an anti-Semite? How do we get out of this with a defense?

In 2007, “Gazeta Wyborcza” published an article “The Liar No More Strength”. Ratajczak tells what happened erstwhile he was expelled from college. The progressive degradation. He talks about who he called for help, where he was denied help. It's the only reason he gives ostracism.

“I don’t want to do anything else. I am a historian," he said. He has printed texts in “Highest Time” and “Operation for the Law”. He started a blog. Entries end in January 2009. Then he states the last: “Let us be honest after proletarian: Charles Marx, the father of communism, was a Satanist in his youth.” However, there are no debaters. There are any comments. One: "I am glad that you are publishing again after years." The second is: “Oh, boy. Is that cock inactive alive?!? boy of a bitch, possibly the swine flu can do it."

Today, those who knew him are guilty and responsible. However, Dariusz Ratajczak was an intelligent, well-educated man. He had friends among London and American Polonia. Why didn't he leave? He did not start a fresh life in another city – for example in Wrocław? Why did he not usage his excellent cognition of English to live off even translations? My colleagues at the institute announcement that he had a good pen. In fact, he utilized it by writing to niche right-wing newspapers. Why didn't he compose under a pseudonym?

[middle]

The problem started earlier. Before the scandal broke out. The worker of the Institute of past admits: "He utilized to come to classes with students after a glass. He wasn't drunk, but you could see he was under the influence.

Right-wing politician: – We tried hard during the university discussion. The Krakow IPN published a book entitled “The Drama of 1947”, which became a scandal. Darek was having a hard time discussing it. You could tell he was intoxicated.

Prof. Niciej: – We signed a cooperation agreement with Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. After the formalities as rector, I invited all the guests to my office for a glass of cognac. The secretary filled the glasses, we drank and... consternation. due to the fact that there was tea alternatively of alcohol. I apologized, we spilled champagne. After the delegation left, I asked Ratajczak to talk. “What have you done?” I shout. I'm sorry, I had a string. I thought I would have time to replenish the alcohol," he explained.

Just due to the fact that he didn't leave college, he owed his mother. She was sick, she came to Niviea and asked, "Don't throw him out, he'll calm down." “I was protecting him, although I should remove him then,” says the professor. I fell, and he calmed down. I think the only individual who influenced him was his mother.

One of the employees of the Institute of History: – The way he left the university, the fact that he could not find a job, that his wife had left him – only deepened the problem he had earlier. The situation in which he found himself was conducive to reaching for a glass.

Arkady Karbowiak, Vice president of Opole, tried to aid Ratajczak. He arranged for him to talk with an lawyer forming in Opole a fresh Catholic advanced school. Ratajczak for dinner with a school typical came under the influence of alcohol.

Two years ago Karbowiak made another attempt. He was recommended by the recruiter at the Wrocław branch of IPN. Ratajczak in “Gazeta Wyborcza” described it this way: “I was at an interview and they made it clear that I did great. But then they sent a letter that they would not hire me.” The conversation was completely different. He said to the Carboviak that Ratajczak came dressed sloppyly and after drinking.

A wife with 2 children left Ratajczak 7 years after he was expelled from college. He doesn't want to talk about the reasons for the decision. In her conversation with “Gazeta Wyborcza” she only denied the version given by Ratajczak that her departure was related to her husband’s views.

Quiet street on Chabrowa, 1 of the Opolskie settlements. Blocks of four-story blocks were built here for stylish German tenement houses with beautiful gardens. Ratajczak has lived in 1 of these blocks since childhood.

Zbigniew Górniak tells that he last met Ratajczak on the street under a general school where his boy was educated. On the conventional “what's up”, Górniak replied that he had just returned from Norway. Then Ratajczak revived. He told me he was set up outside Oslo. And that if I'm always in Norway again, I gotta talk to you. That was uplifting. Then I thought that if you have oil in your head, you can arrange your life everywhere – says Górniak. In this idyllic picture, only 1 item disagreed. erstwhile Ratajczak smiled radiantly, the deficiency of a front tooth was evident.

A friend who met him on the street a period and a half ago noticed that he was very thin. Police findings indicate that he has late travelled abroad frequently. England, Netherlands, Norway. He worked there physically – on a dishwasher, in gardening. In Poland, after eviction, he stayed in his father's home or in his car. There's no telling what actually happened at the Carolina Mall. How long was his car there? Police took the safety tapes from the parking lot. He's looking at HR, due to the fact that 1 of the safety staff claimed that the car was parked the same day the body was found. – According to the erstwhile findings, he stood there at least a fewer days – says territory lawyer Artur Jończyk.

For now, it's time to find what caused the death. The expert on the basis of an examination ruled out the action of 3rd parties. Tox screens are ongoing, but all indications indicate that death was due to natural causes.

The neighbour from the block tells: – I have 2 paintings in my eyes. First – an worker at the University of Opole, a nice, aesthetic man. The father of 2 successful children. And the another is the sloppy alcoholic we were afraid of. We felt a fear that 1 day he would forget to turn off the stove and blow up. And I'm thinking, how did that happen? Day by day, man’s drama was in front of everyone.

The inhabitants of the blocks witnessed the infirmity of their wife and the raging addiction. He was drinking in the basement, found unconscious from drinking. He was bullying himself. We were wondering what to do. Many times the father intervened, says 1 of the neighbors. However, Ratajczak's perceptions of the elder did not result. They were reasoning of reporting a problem to the household relief center. And then the eviction came. neighbour moved out. Or rather, the bailiff brought him out. The flat has been bid for debts.

Ewa Kosowska: – This is simply a sad communicative of a man who had very large potential.

Marek Kawa, a friend of Ratajczak, a Polish doctor, a politician, a erstwhile university employee, says: "We were rubbing against him and we were incapable to shake hands with him. I expected more reflection on his death.

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