Radio PLRC 1

Today, in our program, we are honored to host an exceptional person, professor of the history department at the University of Poznań and the author of many books. Professor Tomasz Wilhelmi.

"Good evening, Professor." (Rudolf Bojczuk)

"Good evening and good evening to everyone who listen to this broadcast at home." (Tomasz Wilhelmi)

"Professor, you are one of the few people who so openly describe the black spots in our history and you are currently writing a book describing a very controversial figure, controversial not only for the present time, but even during his lifetime... Wilkomir Michał Jazłowiecki-Ostrogski." (Rudolf Bojczuk)

"Yes, but is he controversial figure? For me, evil might be a better description of him. Certainly even for the 17th century, he was characterized by great cruelty, but also an extraordinary intellect and this can be a dangerous combination." (Tomasz Wilhelmi)

"Many of your opponents accuse you of basing your sources only on foreign chronicles and records, completely ignoring domestic sources." (Rudolf Bojczuk)

"The truth will always find opponents, but even our historical sources give examples of his behavior, as in one of the local revolts when he said "You don't talk to rebels, you shoot them." This is one of many examples." (Tomasz Wilhelmi)

"Professor, even you must admit that they were rebels who attacked villages, settlements, massacred Jews, they were not innocent people." (Rudolf Bojczuk)

"Yes, but every captured prisoner was killed as well, and on Jazłowiecki's order, their wives, children, parents... whole families were also murdered, "Let them feel that they are dying." those are also his words too." (Tomasz Wilhelmi)

"I do not want to be the devil's advocate, but judging a person who lived 400 years ago by our current standards does not make much sense. Please remember that the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was surrounded by enemies, but there were also internal enemies. His methods of operation were not ethical, but effective." (Rudolf Bojczuk)

"I know that there have been and will be many admirers of Jazłowiecki's character in the country, but evil will remain evil, good intentions are not an excuse." (Tomasz Wilhelmi)

"Well. Professor, is there anything known about his young years?" (Rudolf Bojczuk)

"I regret to admit it, but not much, we know who his parents and grandparents were, we know his fencing teacher was Jacek Dydyński. We know that he did not study anywhere, his father spared no expenses on his son's education... but Jazłowiecki appears in the pages of history first time at the age of 16, where he fought alongside Hetman Aleksander Gosiewski against army of Gustaw Adolf." (Tomasz Wilhelmi)

"And what happened next? Of course, each of us learned about him in school, in history lessons, but as we know it is difficult to describe person life in a few short chapters." (Rudolf Bojczuk)

"Jazłowiecki's life can be divided into several smaller and larger stages. Childhood, Youth, War in the Empire, War with Moscow, War with the Ottoman Empire, Bohemian Period, Return... and these are not all that deserve to be mentioned." (Tomasz Wilhelmi)

"Which stage of his life do you consider the most interesting?" (Rudolf Bojczuk)

"Every or almost every stage of his life was interesting, but the most significant for the country, I would consider the Bohemian Period, the most significant for the world, Jazłowiecki's death and that happened afterwards." (Tomasz Wilhelmi)

"His death... This situation could not be foreseen, the old alliances collapsed, new ones arose, and Europe entered a new stage in its history... Unfortunately, the time of our program has come to an end, we invite you in a week for the continuation of our broadcast on the waves of our Radio PLRC 1." (Rudolf Bojczuk)