Dialogues with the Soviets

The Polish writer Stanisław Vincenz (1888–1971) always dreamed of spending his life in the mountains in the village of Bystrec among the Hutsuls, whom he studied and described. But 1939 brought with it the Soviet occupation, which changed his plans. After being imprisoned in the Enkavedist prison, Vincenz miraculously escaped and fled to Hungary, becoming a refugee. Here he was again overtaken by Stalin's onslaught, and he had to flee further to the West. During these vicissitudes, he constantly encountered Soviet border guards, Chekists and soldiers, studying them and investigating the totalitarian machine that was destroying his native Hutsul region and threatening civilization.

He described his impressions in the memoir "Dialogues with the Soviets", first published in 1966. Today, when the onslaught of the "Russian peace" once again covers Ukraine and threatens Europe, Vincenz's memories remain extremely relevant.