Dialog on Soul and Fate

Stanislaw Vincenz (1888—1971)

QUAKENBRÜCK (GERMANY)

ABOUT EXHIBITION

In April 1946, the Vincenzes left Hungary, which had surrendered to the Soviets. Via Bratislava, Vienna and Salzburg, they illegally reached Quakenbrück in Germany in mid-June, where a military unit in which their son Andrzej served was being stationed. Here, they put on military uniforms to make getting new documents easier.

Through Switzerland, Lena got to London to live with Stanisław Aleksander. She died in 1952.

Near Quakenbrück, 1946

Near Quakenbrück, 1946

Stanisław Vincenz with his family in Quakenbrück, 1946

Stanisław Vincenz with his family in Quakenbrück, 1946

Lena Vincenz with her family and son’s friends, London, 1952

Lena Vincenz with her family and son’s friends, London, 1952

Irena Vincenz, Quakenbrück, 1946

Irena Vincenz, Quakenbrück, 1946

Andrzej Vincenz at Lena’s grave, London, after 1952

Andrzej Vincenz at Lena’s grave, London, after 1952

Actually, I wouldn’t like to step on the ground of Słoboda, Kołomyja, Stanisławów or Lwów. Not only is there death everywhere but also trampling on humanity and the nonsense of these countless deaths, and thus also the nonsense of life. What effort is needed and what sacrifice, what oaths and their keeping for the world to regain the meaning that is still there but which has been trampled underfoot as godlessly as only man can.

(Stanisław Vincenz, a letter to Gustaw Goldberg, 1948)