Quick Story From Polish History #1 - Romuald Kamil Witkowski

Introduction

Hi guys, it’s the new series called Quick Story From Polish History. Short, mostly funny anecdotes about polish artists, politicians and famous people. Don’t be afraid – more serious articles with polish lifestyle will appear in the near future (for now I have a lot of work and really no time to take nice photos and write something longer).

Little bit of history

Romuald Kamil Witkowski was a polish artist who painted at the beginning of XX century. As nearly every Pole he was in love with alcohol. Add to this something what we called in Poland “Ułańska fantazja” (it means being fancy, eccentric and doing crazy thing) and what we've got? Yea, really explosive mixture.

Romuald Kamil Witkowski's portrait

The Goose

He was known as a person with domesticated goose. He used to take her to one of the most famous café in Warsaw, put her down on a chair opposite to him, order two small coffees and take a conversation with her. One witness said that once he told her something like “Mary I understand but stay calm. Everyone sitting around us are also people, yea the are awful and noisy but people. Be nice and drink coffee, otherwise you won’t get your vodka.” You shouldn’t be surprised if I tell you that it wasn’t most shocking what he did. Next story is perfect example of “ułańska fantazja”.

Aquarium

There was in Warsaw very nice and lavish Lijewski’s Restaurant. It was often visited by intelligentsia and aristocracy. In the middle of restaurant proudly stood huge aquarium with a lot of big, river fishes inside. I am seriously, there was pikes, zanders and so on. It was restaurant’s recipe for fresh fishes. Once Witkowski was “under influence” and used to eat there he decided to… cool down so he undressed himself and jumped into aquarium. Of course police were called immediately. When they arrived and wanted to identify Witkowski - he refused, saying that he will speak only to the river guard officer. At least, after long discussion he came out – probably because he get bored haha.

Lijewski's resturant

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