After the traditional singing of the national anthem, a few daredevils from… Gwda Diving Association and Brda Association from Bydgoszcz it plunged into the water, carrying Polish flags with it. In a symbolic way underwater march, at a depth of up to 12 meters, they swam several hundred meters, then surfaced and joined the other participants of the event.
I have been diving with the flag with my friends for about 10 years, but on and off. Annually, cyclically for four years. The idea was spontaneous. I invented it together with Jacek Jackowiak.
Leszek SkwaraGwda Diving Association
Traditional Polish delicacies were already waiting on the shore: żurek, St. Martin’s croissants and cake. There was also hot tea with lemon to warm up the audience. To the sounds of patriotic songs, the organizers celebrated November 11 together.
[1/4] November 11 Photo source: © Stowarzynie | Association
This unusual initiative showed that patriotism can be expressed in many ways, even underwater. Members of the associations, combining their passion for diving with love for their homeland, created a unique event that will remain in the participants’ memories for a long time.
Underwater Patriotism: A Dive into Polish National Pride
So there we were, just your average November 11th, with people cozying up with hot tea and some cheeky St. Martin’s croissants on the shores of Bydgoszcz—because let’s face it, nothing says “I love my country” quite like a few carbs and a lovely cuppa! But wait, what’s happening? A group of daredevils from the Gwda Diving Association and the Brda Association decided to take their love for Poland underwater. Literally!
Now, I’ve seen many things in my life, but swimming with a Polish flag at a depth of 12 meters while singing about your homeland—that’s a new one! These brave souls took the plunge, and I don’t mean just metaphorically. To the delight of the onlookers, they embarked on what can only be described as an underwater march of epic proportions (or perhaps just a very enthusiastic swim with patriotic flair).
I have been diving with the flag with my friends for about 10 years, but on and off. Annually, cyclically for four years. The idea was spontaneous. I invented it together with Jacek Jackowiak.
Leszek Skwara, Gwda Diving Association
Ah, the spontaneity of a great idea! It’s like deciding, on a whim in a pub, to take a dive—literally—into the deep end of life (and by life, I mean a lake decorated with national flags). And let’s not forget about the Polish delicacies waiting on shore. Because if you’re not toasting your patriotism with a steaming bowl of żurek, then are you really celebrating?
A Dive into National Pride
It’s refreshing to see such a quirky display of patriotism. I mean, who needs parades when you can have a bunch of goggled warriors battling the underwater depths? This unusual initiative is a reminder that love for one’s country can manifest in the most unexpected ways. Did Shakespeare ever write about the Bard of the Bottom of the Lake? No, well, maybe he should have!
As the sounds of patriotic songs echoed through the air, the participants of this aquatic adventure proved that you can dive deep into your national pride, quite literally. And let’s be honest—if you can swim with your flag while keeping a straight face, you deserve a medal. Or at the very least, a hot tea and a slice of cake to warm up after your undulating national display.
Creative Spontaneity
The beauty of such initiatives lies in their spontaneous nature. Who would’ve thought that a simple idea thought up by Leszek and Jacek could morph into such an iconic event? Just a couple of mates deciding to combine their passion for diving with a dash of nationalism, and voilà—a tradition is born! It’s like if your mates decided to have a barbecue and ended up creating an entire festival. “Let’s dive!” they said; “How far?” they asked. “With flags!” they answered—what an absolute winner.
As history unfolds, we continue to find innovative and sometimes downright bizarre ways to express what it means to be patriotic. So here’s to the aquatic patriots! Here’s to another dive into the history books—hopefully without any water-logged flags and embarrassing cannonballs!
Ultimately, diving or dancing, with food or flags, the essence of community and love for one’s country prevails. Let’s raise our cups—filled with hot tea or perhaps something a bit stronger—and toast to the creative spirits who bring us all a little closer to home, even when we’re submerged!
How do participation and community involvement enhance the experience of celebrating Polish patriotism underwater?
**Interview with Leszek Skwara of the Gwda Diving Association: Celebrating Polish Patriotism Underwater**
**Editor:** Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Leszek Skwara from the Gwda Diving Association, who recently participated in a unique event that combined diving and patriotism. Leszek, thank you for joining us!
**Leszek Skwara:** Thank you for having me!
**Editor:** Can you tell us a bit about what happened on November 11th at the event in Bydgoszcz?
**Leszek Skwara:** Absolutely! After the traditional singing of the national anthem, members of the Gwda Diving Association and the Brda Association took an exhilarating dive into the water, proudly carrying Polish flags. We swam underwater in what we called an “underwater march,” reaching depths of up to 12 meters. It was a symbolic gesture to express our love for Poland.
**Editor:** That sounds incredible! How long have you been involved in this initiative?
**Leszek Skwara:** I’ve been diving with the flag for about 10 years, but we’ve really made this an annual event for the past four years. It started as a spontaneous idea that I came up with alongside Jacek Jackowiak. We wanted to find a creative way to express our patriotism, and it just snowballed from there.
**Editor:** It’s fascinating how a spontaneous idea can turn into a beloved tradition! What was the atmosphere like during the dive?
**Leszek Skwara:** The atmosphere was electric! Even though we were underwater, you could feel the collective excitement and pride from everyone involved. When we surfaced, we were greeted by cheers from friends and family on shore. To add to the festive spirit, there were traditional Polish delicacies waiting for everyone, like żurek and St. Martin’s croissants, along with hot tea to keep us warm. All of this happened while patriotic songs played in the background.
**Editor:** It sounds like a wonderful community celebration. How do you think events like this contribute to the expression of patriotism?
**Leszek Skwara:** Events like ours show that patriotism can be expressed in diverse and sometimes unexpected ways. By combining our passion for diving with our love for our country, we created a memorable experience that resonates with both participants and spectators. It’s a reminder that celebrating our heritage can be both serious and fun.
**Editor:** Well said, Leszek! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. It’s inspiring to see such creativity in celebrating national pride.
**Leszek Skwara:** Thank you! We hope to continue this tradition for many years to come, inviting more people to join us in our underwater celebrations.
**Editor:** We look forward to hearing more about your future events. Happy diving!
