Hanna Wenda-Uszyńska is the granddaughter of engineer Tadeusz Wenda, the chief designer and builder of the port in Gdynia. For years, she has been preserving the memory of her grandfather and promoting his achievements and significance for the history of the city. She co-organises many events commemorating Tadeusz Wenda, regularly secures memorabilia related to him and donates them to the Gdynia City Museum. Today, we present the profile of the third ambassador of the celebrations of Gdynia's 100th birthday.
What does the title of Ambassador of the Centenary of Gdynia mean to you personally?
The title of Ambassador of the Centenary of Gdynia is, above all, a great distinction and honour for me. I feel that I have been gifted and included in the history of a city that was created thanks to people who thought about its future. It is also a commitment to remember the experiences, hard work, great courage and, above all, vision. It is also a role of representing the city with faith in its future and the need to talk about it. And personally, it is about cherishing the memory of engineer T. Wenda, my grandfather, a great visionary.
Your grandfather's decision to choose Gdynia as the site for the port changed the history of Poland. How do you look at the significance of this decision today?
The decision to build a port in Gdynia was significant and one of the most important economic acts of the Second Republic of Poland. Engineer Tadeusz Wenda's project marked the beginning of the reconstruction of the Polish state. It was, one could say, an act of sovereignty. The state had only just regained its independence and had to build its independence quickly. It was not just the exceptionally apt location indicated by engineer Wenda, but the courage of the state's vision. The port became a window onto the world of the Second Republic, but also created a new city, thousands of jobs and a modern infrastructure. It should also not be forgotten that the port became independent of Gdańsk. Tadeusz Wenda proved that knowledge and responsibility can change history. He obviously encountered many difficulties, resistance, opponents and disbelief on his way, but in spite of this he did not give up. Today it is clear that this was a strategic decision. Now the Port of Gdynia is a pillar of the economy and plays an important role in Europe. It is a centre of modernity - the construction of the outer harbour, work on the so-called Red Road to relieve the city, the intermodal terminal, the deepening of the quays, and so on. So we can see that engineer T. Wenda's decision was the right one - it is a symbol of independence.
What kind of person was Tadeusz Wenda in private?
Tadeusz Wenda was a man of extraordinary personality, distinguished by great patriotism, raised with a love for Poland. This love was instilled in him by his family. Despite many years spent outside Poland, in Russia and the former Kingdom of Poland, where he worked, he did not allow himself to be Russified, returned to Poland, and worked for his country. He did not engage in politics, but rather pursued his passion, what he knew best and what he was best at. Although his decisions, especially those concerning the choice of Gdynia as the location for the construction of the port, were of great importance to the state, he never treated them as a means of personal promotion or gaining power. He was and remains a model of modesty and honesty, a man who combined a passion for engineering with a sense of responsibility towards his country. He was characterized by great diligence, consistency, and courage in making decisions. In his private life, he was a man of great modesty and did not participate in café and salon life. He valued discretion and intimacy, and was calm and reflective. He knew how to listen and appreciate the efforts of others, which meant that his colleagues trusted and respected him. He had the ability to win over his colleagues. Every morning, he would walk around the office, greeting everyone with a handshake and asking what they were going to do that day. He passed on his knowledge to young engineers and had a great talent for it. He was characterized by strong determination, was not discouraged by difficulties or criticism, and had no shortage of opponents. He often had to seek defense abroad. He was an honest, concrete, responsible and hard-working man, and the results of his work were the best reward for him. Tadeusz Wenda was a man who was very sensitive to poverty and discreetly helped those in need of financial support. He was also active in the community. He was president of the Polish-French Society, co-founder of the “Gryf” Yacht Club, and president of the Committee for the Construction of the Monument to the Unification of Polish Lands. Together with Mayor Radtke and Rear Admiral Unrug, he undertook the project of building the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Kamienna Góra. Unfortunately, the war interrupted this project. Above all, he was a wonderful husband and father. He divided his life between Gdynia and Warsaw, where his beloved wife and children waited for him. He cared deeply for his family. Once a month, he would come to Warsaw and devote all his time to his family, trying to make up for his absence. They would go to the theater and, of course, to the Zachęta gallery for exhibitions, because he was very interested in art and talked a lot with his children. He paid great attention to his children's education, sports, and foreign languages (he himself spoke four). He made sure that his wife and children had time to relax. So he bought a summer house in Dąbrowa Chotomowska with them in mind. The letters he regularly wrote to his wife and children have been preserved. They are touching, full of love but also longing, written in beautiful Polish. Tadeusz Wenda's private life shows that great professional achievements are born of talent and intelligence, but also of character, empathy, courage, and consistency. After retiring, he did not withdraw from active life. He accepted the position of permanent technical advisor to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. He issued expert opinions, published extensively, and had a major influence on the reconstruction of the port. He remained an undisputed authority until the end of his life.
What do you think is worth reminding the younger generation about the beginnings of Gdynia and the people who created it?
It seems to me that, above all, it is important to remind people that Gdynia was not created by chance. It was the result of a vision and a dream, combined with a great deal of knowledge, hard work and responsibility on the part of many people. The beginnings of Gdynia's creation also teach us about courage in decision-making. The construction of the Port and the city required consistency despite criticism and very difficult moments, and the belief that Poland can create great things. This is important in times when it is easy to get discouraged in various challenges. It is also worth making the younger generation aware that behind the creation of the modern port and city was the vision of engineers, workers and civil servants who thought in terms of creating a common good rather than their own benefit. It was a great love for Poland, a work ethos, a sense of mission, responsibility, pride and a belief in modernity, and that a community built on values and cooperation can change reality. Most importantly - Gdynia is a symbol of the social dream of independence.
What place in Gdynia do you consider special and why?
What I consider to be a special place in the whole of Gdynia is the Port - as a symbol. It is actually where Gdynia's history is concentrated. It is there that engineer Tadeusz Wenda, my grandfather, fulfilled his vision. It is there, walking along the fishing pier, that I can see his beautiful monument and thank him for his work, and nearby in the Port, I can sit by him on a bench, where he looks thoughtfully at his beloved Port. It's the kind of space that connects history with the present and reminds us that these two engineers sitting on the bench and their courage of thought and consistency give meaning to future generations. There is also something very personal and touching for me in the Port, that this is where Gdynia's journey began, from a small fishing village to a modern city, and that my Grandfather, his technical thought, people's efforts and belief in the future contributed to this - this is what the Port reminds me of. Here in the Port I find great warmth and cherishing of the memory of Tadeusz Wenda. This is where my “port family” is. Regardless of the Port, I enjoy visiting the house on Waszyngtona Street where my grandfather worked and lived. This place is special to me.
What would you like to say to Gdynia and the residents of Gdynia on the occasion of the city's 100th anniversary?
I would like to bow to Gdynia on its 100th birthday. The beloved Gdynia of my grandfather Tadeusz Wenda. Gdynia is an exceptional city, it was born out of visions and dreams, it has developed thanks to the joint work and responsibility of generations of citizens. It is a symbol of courage and faith in the future. I wish Gdynia to continue to be a city open to the world and to develop with respect for the people who co-create it. I wish the inhabitants of Gdynia to be happy in this special city, to be satisfied with life in it, to be proud of the place they live in and to believe that every vision can be realised if the right people are found.
Thank you for the interview
Photo: Magdalena Czernek