◆In a town where traces of Jewish persecution remain
Tarnow is situated approximately 70 kilometers east of Krakow, Poland’s second-largest city. The old town, often referred to as the “pearl of the Polish Renaissance,” is adorned with impressive buildings and retains a medieval charm.
Before World War II, Jews made up 25% of the population, and it is also known as the city from which the first train departed for the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp operated by Nazi Germany. Signs of persecution linger throughout the area, including remnants of wartime sites.
The border with Ukraine is about a three-hour drive further east. When the Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022, many Ukrainians sought refuge in Tarnow, a city of 100,000 residents.
An old, vacant building has been converted into a shelter. After substantial renovations completed in April this year, it now houses over 100 people.
◆ “I’m no longer in the mood to just sit back and wait for him to come home.”
“They’ve all adapted to living here, but we’re at a critical point where we must end the war for their future,” states Agneschka (52), the shelter manager, in a subdued tone. She recently retired after 23 years as a female police officer in the Youth Bureau, which handles juvenile cases. “I’m concerned about the children’s mental health,” she adds.
We exited the living quarters of the shelter and proceeded to a room in the back, where we could hear women conversing. Originally a meeting space, the room now resembled a “sewing factory,” filled with dark green fabric—symbolic of wartime.
Ukrainian women create gifts from recycled materials to send to soldiers on the front lines in Tarnow, Poland.
The room lacks air conditioning, relying instead on a solitary electric fan that oscillates slowly. Ukrainian women take turns sitting in front of sewing machines, wiping away the sweat that drips down their faces. The sewing machines buzz continuously over the camouflage-patterned fabric, dada-da-da… dada-da-da…
“Young soldiers are fighting on the front lines. I can no longer afford to just sit back and wait for them to return home,” Oksana (45) stated gravely.
◆ Soldiers on the front lines receive orders via smartphone… like sending money to their sons?
He leads this volunteer group and takes “orders” from soldiers he knows who are fighting on the front lines through their smartphones. He repeatedly makes prototypes, sews them, and sends them to NGOs in Ukraine.
Natalia (47), a mother whose son is serving on the front line as a military doctor, along with her daughter Lena (15), will also join the group. “I want to do everything I can to help him return to Ukraine as soon as possible.”
Tarnow, Poland, where the atmosphere of the Middle Ages remains. Remnants of the Jewish community are visible everywhere.
With no funding, every effort relies on volunteers. They create portable stretchers using discarded seat belts, safety nets from scavenged wooden window frames woven with strips of camouflage fabric to mislead the enemy, hats equipped with mosquito nets, and small pouches for carrying grenades and gunpowder. They fashion what they can from materials needed on the battlefield. Orders have spread by word of mouth to the front lines, resulting in a continuous influx of requests.
It’s akin to a mother sending money to her son, except the destination is the battlefield.
◆One day, I want to give children beautiful dresses.
Two and a half years have passed since the invasion. Financial support from the Polish government and local authorities has decreased, and starting in July, shelters will also be required to charge fees. Food, housing, and utility expenses amount to 60,000 yen, with an additional 18,000 yen for children.
Larisa (61), who spoke during the interview without pausing her sewing machine, was a language teacher at a Jewish school in Zaporizhia, southern Ukraine. “Many of my students are in war zones. I can’t just sit idle.” However, she spent all her retirement savings living abroad. “My life after retirement has been entirely different from what I envisioned. I never thought I would be sewing camouflage uniforms daily.”
Items crafted by women sent to the battlefield
The walls of the room are adorned with national flags and phrases such as “Glory to Ukraine” and “Thank you for your assistance.”
Once war erupts, everyone is inevitably involved. Oksana remarks, “The children brought me beautiful fabrics and said, ‘Sew this,’ but I couldn’t create anything. I kept telling them we would win soon, that victory was just around the corner, and time passed me by.” After a pause, she stopped working, looked up for the first time, and said, “The day when we can sew beautiful dresses for them will mark the end of our war.”
◆ Anyone can continue to think about what war is
Overseeing the women is Miwa Maruyama (52), a reporter and lecturer at Jagiellonian University in Poland from Tochigi Prefecture. Since the invasion, she has visited Ukraine numerous times, continuously providing humanitarian aid.
Miwa Maruyama discussed the current situation in Ukraine during her brief return to Japan on February 9th in Tokyo.
“While there may be no items that will directly take a life, this is still a matter of war,” she expressed, conveying her mixed feelings. Nonetheless, she stated, “I want to see smiles on the faces of the Ukrainian people once the war is over. Instead of viewing it as a relationship of supporter and supported, I believe it’s essential to think about moving forward together.”
Regarding what Japan can do, Maruyama noted, “Even if we cannot provide direct support, we can continue to reflect on what war entails. This is the best way to prevent future conflicts.”
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◆ The danger of saying “We don’t want anything until we win”
Concerning the sight of Ukrainian women creating items for battlefield use, Nishitani Osamu, professor emeritus at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and philosopher, cautions against the danger reminiscent of Japan’s wartime national policy slogan, “We want nothing until we win.”
“This applies to Polish women too; the more conscientious they are, the more they tend to become a ‘Mother on the Quay’ (a song about a mother awaiting her son’s return from war). I understand the difficult situation, but can we, from the perspective of Japan—aware of the tragedies of total war—simply condone such behavior?” he questions.
Tarnow, Poland, where the atmosphere of the Middle Ages remains. Signs of Jewish persecution are visible everywhere.
“The main actors in a war are nations, represented by their governments. The Ukrainian government is seeking support from Western countries by any means necessary, but continuing the war implies it is failing in its duty to protect its citizens. Shouldn’t we also question the state’s stance that produces this situation for the Ukrainian populace?”
As of June, 6.55 million people have fled the country as refugees, and 3.54 million have been displaced within Ukraine. This means one in four people in the total population has been uprooted. The death toll in Ukraine in the first half of this year is nearly three times the number of births, and many individuals are reluctant to have children.
Nakamura Itsuro, professor emeritus at the University of Tsukuba (specializing in Russian studies), states, “Putin’s objective is not to annex Ukraine but to devastate it. He has launched rockets at it, and 30 percent of Ukraine’s land area is currently littered with landmines. The suffering will persist even after the war concludes.”
Russia’s prospects are also grim. “Numerous aid supplies are defective, affecting the flow of arms and ammunition to the front lines. The state-run natural gas company Gazprom continues to incur losses. If the nation cannot stabilize its finances, it could experience a fate similar to that of the collapsed Soviet Union.”
What should Japan’s future actions entail? Professor Nakamura emphasizes, “There is an urgent need for support focused on civilian life—addressing power shortages and providing technology for landmine clearance. The Japanese government should assist Ukraine with civilian-oriented aid rather than military support.”
◆Desk Memo
The Paris Olympics was a remarkable success, achieving the highest ticket sales in Olympic history. However, it concluded in a manner that starkly contrasts with the ideal of a “festival of peace.” Conflicts continue in Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar, while the United States and other nations were absent from the Nagasaki atomic bombing anniversary ceremony, reflecting global divisions. Hidden beneath the celebratory facade is a profoundly heavy reality. (North)
Life Amid War: The Human Struggle in Tarnow, Poland
Nearly two and a half years have passed since Russia invaded Ukraine. Following my visit to Poland in February last year, I wanted to capture the current atmosphere in a country that has become a refuge for many. With the 80th anniversary of the end of the Pacific War approaching next year, I aimed to understand how war has reshaped daily life in Poland. This article recounts my experience in Tarnow, a city where echoes of past persecution remain palpable.
In a Town Where Traces of Jewish Persecution Remain
Tarnow is situated about 70 km east of Krakow, Poland’s second-largest city. The old town, recognized as the “pearl of the Polish Renaissance,” features stately buildings and retains a medieval atmosphere.
Before World War II, 25% of the population was Jewish, and Tarnow is known as the city where the first train departed for the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during the Nazi regime. The scars of persecution can still be seen throughout the city.
The Ukrainian border is just a three-hour drive further east. When the Russian invasion commenced on February 24, 2022, many Ukrainians fled to Tarnow, a city of approximately 100,000 people.
Old vacant buildings have been transformed into shelters. After major renovations completed in April of this year, one such building now accommodates over 100 refugees.
Voices from the Shelter
Agneschka (52), the shelter manager, expressed concern over the ongoing war: “For their future, we’re reaching a critical point where we have to put an end to the war.” She worries about the mental health of the children affected by the conflict.
As we left the living area, we arrived at a room filled with Ukrainian women sewing camouflage-patterned fabrics into uniforms. The room was buzzing with activity, reminiscent of a “sewing factory” under the warm summer sun.
Ukrainian women create gifts for soldiers on the front lines in Tarnow, Poland.
Inside, they share stories of hardship and hope. Oksana (45) declared, “I’m no longer in the mood to just sit back and wait for them to come home.”
Support from Afar: The Role of Technology in War
The leader of the volunteer group takes orders from soldiers on the frontline via smartphone, ensuring their needs are met with regular shipments of tailored supplies. Natalia (47), a mother of a military doctor, shared her motivation: “I want to do what I can to help him return to Ukraine as soon as possible.”
Driven mostly by volunteers, their work includes creating portable stretchers from discarded materials, crafting safety nets, and sewing uniforms. With no funding, the community has taken it upon themselves to support soldiers with practical needs like camouflaged bags for grenades and first-aid kits. Word of their efforts has reached the battlefield, leading to a steady stream of requests.
Tarnow, Poland, where the past meets the present.
The Reality of Support: Balancing Needs and Resources
Two and a half years into the invasion, financial support from Polish authorities has dwindled. Shelter costs have started to rise, leaving many in precarious situations as they navigate daily life amid conflict.
Learisa (61), a former language teacher at a Jewish school in Zaporizhia, noted the challenges: “I never imagined I’d be sewing camouflage uniforms every day.” Her retirement savings have been drained, showcasing the financial strain on those who help.
Items crafted by women for the battlefield.
These efforts carry nothing but hope and determination as the room resonates with phrases such as “Glory to Ukraine” and others celebrating their unwavering spirit.
Reflections on War: The Social Responsibility
Miwa Maruyama (52), a reporter and lecturer at Jagiellonian University, emphasized the importance of understanding the complexities of war. “Even if we can’t provide direct support, we can continue to think about what war is,” she shared. Her experiences in Ukraine inspire humanitarian efforts and evoke critical thought on how society engages with conflict.
The Dangers of Romanticizing Sacrifice
Reflecting on the dedication of women in Tarnow, Osamu Nishitani, a philosopher, pointed out the risks of adopting a mindset reminiscent of wartime slogans. “Shouldn’t we question the role of the state pushing this situation on the Ukrainian people?” This sentiment foregrounds the importance of examining the ethical implications of war and support—even amidst acts of solidarity.
Connecting with the Community
As of June, 6.55 million people have fled Ukraine due to the conflict, with 3.54 million displaced internally. One in four Ukrainians has been forced to leave their homes, highlighting an urgent need for humanitarian support.
Contributions to Recovery
Professor Nakamura Itsuro emphasized the necessity for future support that focuses on civilian life, technological aid for landmine removal, and essential infrastructure rather than solely military provisions. In this age of pervasive conflict, comprehensive humanitarian intervention emerges as a focal point for restoring dignity.
| Support Needs | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic Necessities | Food, shelter, and clothing for refugees. |
| Mental Health Support | Programs to assist children and families affected by trauma. |
| Education | Resources for children now displaced from their homes. |
| Community Integration | Efforts to help refugees assimilate and contribute in host communities. |
Desk Memo
The Paris Olympics showcased a spirit of unity, yet amidst the celebrations, the continued suffering in Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar casts a shadow over the ideal of peace. The absence of key nations from commemorative events speaks to a fractured global outlook. As we navigate these complexities, awareness and collective responsibility may pave the path toward healing.
