12 - Starting Life Again: Kraków

Summary

The ancient university city of Kraków had been the Polish capital until the seventeenth century. Miraculously, the war had left it unscathed. Though strategically less significant than Warsaw, it probably also owed its survival to the fact that, in the nineteenth century, it had belonged to the Austro- Hungarian empire. Perhaps the Nazi commanders felt protective towards it on that account. Whatever the reason for its survival, it now became the Mecca for anyone who wished to be involved in the rebirth of cultural life, while Warsaw remained the seat of the puppet government of Polish Communists (most of whom had spent the war in Russia).

To arrive in Kraków was like returning from Hades. Seeing streets whole, with undamaged houses on each side, I felt a surge of optimism. Within minutes, I met old friends: suddenly I was hailed from across a street by Antoni Bohdziewicz, a brilliant radio-drama producer for whom I had written incidental music before the war, and Stanisław Wohl, now in army uniform.

Major Wohl clapped his hand on my shoulder, and with a broad grin said, ‘You’re under arrest!’

‘Thank God you’re still alive – you’re just the person we need!’ he continued. ‘We’re attached to the Polish Army Film Unit, and, from this minute, you have begun your new appointment as our Music Director. We must have a composer! Now! Yesterday!’ I became his grateful captive.

In no time, Stanisław Wohl had arranged for me to receive a month's pay in advance so that I could stop selling my last shirts and socks in exchange for food. While I searched for accommodation for the family, he found me a temporary room in a large house belonging to the Film Unit. It was already occupied by some of Poland's leading actors and writers, including Czesław Miłosz, then still quite unknown, and Jerzy Andrzejewski, about to try to film his Ashes and Diamonds.

Kraków appeared entrancingly beautiful that spring; the budding trees symbolised hope for a new Polish summer. I would stroll for hours admiring the mellow, ancient Palace of Wawel nearby and the glorious buildings of the University, founded in the thirteenth century, only 100 years later than Oxford.