I was born here, and I will die here. Like a captain on his ship

He and Mania have known each other for a long time. ‘It was after eighth grade when we met. We were 15 years old at the time. And sine then we’ve stayed together,’ says Jan. In our conversation, successive floods unwittingly become the backdrop for family memories. ‘In 1968, when I was 10 years old, the water reached the backyard, but the flood was not as devastating as the next one. In 1979, I was in the army. I wanted to run away from there to get home to help,’ says Jan. Mania adds that in 1997, their children were young and after the flood they went to the seaside to get some respite from the difficult everyday life.

And 2024? ‘Fortunately, the water did not enter the house,’ says Jan. ‘It was under the floor, the basement was flooded up to the ceiling. The level of water became rather uniform. Water is nothing more than a level. But all this can to be repaired, fixed. When I look at what is happening in Ukraine, I feel sorry for those people. I cry when I look at it.’

The animals were frightened, but fortunately they all could be rescued: ‘I didn’t know my dog could open the fence on her own. She took the lock out, that’s how smart she is. We kept the dogs safe in the house. We also managed the same with hens.’

When the river overtopped its banks, family and fire-fighters came to help first. ‘When the help comes, you feel a sort of relief. As if someone appreciated you. It’s not that we would just sit down and cry, but it was very important that this help arrived.’

Asked why he didn’t want to move out, he replies with a shrug: ‘It’s even hard for me to explain. I wouldn’t leave it all behind. When I see water piling up, I don’t run away. Even if it were to sweep me away from here – I’m always there to the end anyway. And I no longer feel anxious. I just have thoughts swirling around inside my head: “Jesus, this will require lots of work!”. But I know that this water won’t take me away. I always look at everything through the window, I have to see everything. The same applies to storms, when the lightning strikes, I also look at everything.’

Jan’s story is part of the exhibition “Water Mark. One Year After the Flood”, which will be on display at Plac Centralny in Warsaw from September 5 to October 5, 2025. The exhibition features photographs by Aleksander Małachowski (@hashtagalek) as well as photos from PAH’s archives, taken by Alicja Ryś. They show the places affected by the September 2024 flood, as well as the people who received support from PAH. The exhibition is also available HERE.

Do you like the photos from the exhibition? Donate any amount to photographer Aleksander Małachowski’s fundraiser and receive 6 photos selected by him! After making a donation, you will automatically receive an email with the photos ready to download.
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Download the Polish Humanitarian Action’s report on post-flood activities.
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