30th Anniversary of the Passing of Mieczysław Fogg. A POLIN Museum Program and Podcast
Mieczysław Fogg – Righteous Among the Nations
Mieczysław Fogg is one of the most popular Polish singers and composers of the 20th century. But he was also a soldier in the Home Army (AK) and is one of the Righteous Among the Nations. Documentary filmmaker and author of books on Polish cabaret and theatre, Anna Mieszkowska, recalls the musical career of the "boy from Warsaw’s Old Town”, which developed on cabaret stages amongst outstanding Polish and Jewish artists.
An important hero of this story is Iwo Wesby, a conductor and Fogg’s friend who, after escaping from the Warsaw ghetto, hid with his family in Fogg’s apartment. He was not the only one to receive Fogg’s help. Part 1 of the series “Mieczysław Fogg – Righteous Among the Nations” tells of the friendships among artists, young Mieczysław working for Polish State Railways (PKP) and, during the occupation, working in cafes. It also tells of his entrances into the ghetto, his performances on the barricades of the Warsaw Uprising, as well as the musician’s post-War career.
“It was only in 1989 that Mieczysław Fogg was honoured with the title of Righteous Among the Nations. He never strove to gain it, nor did anyone promote his relevant merits. Iwo Wesby, whom Foog had saved, could not do it as he passed away in 1961, when that title was not yet being awarded. However, what he did to rescue Jews was certainly remembered and respected.
Stefania Grodzieńska recalls that Fogg was one of those who had the courage to extend a helping hand in the most difficult time for artists in the Warsaw ghetto. In vafes, where he performed during the occupation, money was collected for artists performing in the Warsaw ghetto, for examply in the Femina Theatre”, says Anna Mieszkowska, documentary fillmaker who, in a colourful manner, talks about the singer’s like and work in the series first three episodes..
The program also features the memoirs of the musician’s great-grandson, Michał Fogg, who, for years, has been caring for the heritage of one of the most important singers of the 20th century in Poland:
“My great-grandfather helped his friends from the ghetto, purely out of friendship. He was so concerned, that he cared for others before caring for himself. Over forty years, he rarely mentioned the help which he provided”, says Michał Fogg.
The audio story of Fogg will include an invitation to a temporary exhibtion at the Polish Song Museum entitled “Mieczysław Fogg. Pieśniarz Polaków”. Its curator, Anna Lubasińska-Tabaczniuk, which artefacts relating to the musician can be viewed in the exhibition which will remain open until the end of December. These include his favourite piano, which survived in Fogg’s Warsaw apartment during the entire occupation, and the Righteous Among the Nations medal which Fogg was awarded for helping Wesby.
The program “Mieczysław Fogg – Righteous Among the Nations” can be heard on Radio POLIN between 3rd and 6th of September at 8:00 pm. This audio history will also be available as a podcast on themost popular podcast platforms, on POLIN Museum website, as well as on our Youtube channel. You can read Mieczysław Fogg’s story and that of other artists, who helped Jews during the Holocaust, of the Polish Righteous website:
➔ Read Mieczysław Fogg’s story
➔ Discover the stories of other Righteous artists
⇩ Listen to the Mieczysław Fogg podcast
Screenplay and production: Żaneta Czyżniewska, Klara Jackl, Kajetan Prochyra, Mateusz Szczepaniak / POLIN Museum;
Recording and editing: Łukasz Cieślak, Żaneta Czyżniewska / POLIN Museum;
Featuring: Anna Mieszkowska, Michał Fogg, Anna Lubasińska-Tabaczniuk;
Mieczysław Fogg’s memoirs read by: Marek Barbasiewicz;
English translation: Andrew Rajcher.
This project is financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EOG Fund and state budgets.
