“People of this Land” – history of Niemenczyn in the book of Henryk Borkowski

Niemenczyn is one of the oldest cities in Lithuania. The first mention of its name in the historical sources comes in 1338. It is a place through which the incoming wars swept across, place where residents were fighting for freedom, but also working, cultivating the soil and trading. For this reason the book of Henryk Borkowski ” People of this Land” is dedicated to the history of Niemenczyn and the uneasy fate of its residents.

Henryk Borkowski was born in the neighborhood of Niemenczyn, in Daniłow, where he worked as a teacher in the secondary school in Koleśniki. After retirement he returned to his homeland.

He was always interested in history of Niemenczyn and regions surrounding the city. Therefore collecting of the archive documents, resident memories and photographs was the item that for years occupied much of his time.

“In 2013, passed the 675 anniversary since the first mention of town in records occurred. We did not organize any celebrations to mark this event, but it is important to keep alive the memory about old times and people who had died. Now, as a retired person I have plenty of time, and thus I have decided to write a book, especially because the material for my book, which remains unknow even for people who come from Niemenczyn, was in great part already gathered. This book is a record of our memories about those who have passed away”- said Henryk Borkowski during the interview for Wilnoteka.

Henryk Borkowski spent a lot of time in the archives, in the book „People of this Land” he also makes use of the memories of the oldest residents. The author is pleased with the fact that he succeeded to record all of them, as most of his interlocutors are no longer alive.

Henryk Borkowski depicted the history of Niemenczyn since the pagan times, which are marked by the remaining gords and kurgans, till the period of the Second World War. It is interesting that the first church in Niemenczyn, sponsored by the King Wladyslaw Jagiello, was built in 1387. It was one of the seven churches in the Lithuanian lands, which was erected after the Lithuania’s adoption of Christianity.

Residents of Niemenczyn and its areas witnessed the Swedish invasion. They not only participated in the November and January Uprising but they also took part in both the First and the Second World War. Moreover, Niemenczyn’s citizens went through the deportation to Siberia, labour camps, collectivization and Holocaust. Later on, author lists the surnames of Niemenczyn’s heroes who were fighting for freedom and independence of Poland and mentions the soldiers of the Border Protection Corps, who died in 1939 and came from the regions from which soldiers of the Polish II Corps commanded by the Lieutenant General Władysław Anders also derived.

“I did not, however, manage to include all information, which are available in my home archive because there are many other topics and issues connected with Niemenczyn that need to be consolidated and examined in more depth. It is the time when the generation of people who suffered the cruelties of two world wars is passing away. The post-war period put an end to neighbouhood villages, backwaters and folwarks. As long as witnesses of this history are alive, it is of pivotal importance to write down their memories and stories” – said Henryk Borkowski.

The book “People of this Land” is available at the bookstore in Niemenczyn and in Ethnographic Museum of Vilnius in the Niemenczyn. There is also possibility to purchase the book directly from the author.

Based on: Inf.wł.