He was born in the wrong place at the wrong time. Looking at his life, I constantly wonder what he would have achieved, had he had the opportunities today's generation has.
In 1941 the II World War was raging, as Anatol Benera was born in a tiny little village of Lisięcice.
His parents were very simple people and even if they noticed anything special about their son, they certainly did not have money to support his talents. After the war, they moved to the town of Głubczyce and Tolek began to thrive. The library was his refuge from the mundane life of the small community. He was a voracious reader and soon needed to travel to the nearby city to request new titles. He also started showing musical talents. As a teenager, he taught himself how to play a guitar, which paid off big time when it was time for him to serve in the Polish army (mandatory for 2 years after high school). He was assigned to the army band and enjoyed his military training much more than most privates.
Since high school was as far as Tolek got in school, he didn't have much choice in the work force. He started working for a textile factory in Głubczyce, and that's where he stayed for the next 30 years. But his passions were bigger than the knitting machine he operated. He build a wonderful personal library and a music collection, and as soon as his Goddaughter was born, he devoted himself to passing on his knowledge and talents onto her. Especially after she lost her father at the age of twelve, he became the father figure and teacher to her. From him she learned about the Three Musketeers and 2,000 Leagues Under the Sea. He was the one who introduced her to Elvis, Dolly Parton, and Jimmy Buffet. He loved country music so much that he taught himself enough English to be able to understand the lyrics of American country songs. That knowledge he also passed to his Goddaughter in weekly lessons, on Sunday after church.
Tolek might have been just a blue collar worker by day, but after donning his factory jumpsuit he became the literary critic, musical connoisseur, and a wonderful teacher. His greatest passion though, was photography. He had a keen eye and in the bathtub of his tiny bathroom hundreds of pictures documenting the Communist Poland were developed. He was the family historian, commemorating all the holidays, birthdays, and Sunday afternoon walks. At a time, when not many kids had a single picture of themselves, Tolek's niece and nephew had more than enough. And one of them won Tolek a very special award.
When his Goddaughter was only two years old, he took a picture of her standing next to a tree sapling. He titled the picture "We're growing up together" and entered it in a photography competition. He won on the regional level, then on the district level, and finally on the national level. The prize: a week in Moscow. He was so proud and excited and came back from Moscow with even more wonderful photos. Years later his Goddaughter found out that photography was to her also a wonderful way to express her thoughts and deal with daily reality.
Tolek's love of Elvis was so great that he was willing to spend his last penny on Elvis' records or pictures. In the late 70's, when buying American products was possible only on a so called "black market" in a large city, Tolek's wife sent him to such a market with her two-month earnings, to get two pairs of jeans. Unfortunately, the first booth in the market square was selling records. Tolek came back home with two original Elvis vinyls and was consequently not spoken to for 2 months. He didn't care. To him the records were worth more than anything else he possessed, and he certainly didn't mind wearing old jeans.
Tolek and his wife waited twenty-two years for a baby, and when she was finally born, Tolek hoped she would be everything he could not be. He had great plans to teach her everything he knew and show her all he loved to do. He couldn't wait to read with her, listen to music, and teach her about the world. Things turned out differently than he planned. His daughter grew up under strict supervision of his wife, who was less educated and much more superstitious than Tolek. He was ridiculed for his notions, that a child needs more than pretty clothes and proper friends. The disappointment grew, as the child was getting older and absolutely not interested in following her father's lead. Tolek turned back to his hobbies and resolved to be simply a by-stander in his daughter's upbringing. It had a destructive effect on his marriage and led to an emotional separation between him and his wife.
Tolek is going to be 70-years old next year. he still lives in Głubczyce, listens to music, writes for the local newspaper, and records any cowboy movie shown on Polish TV. He "travels" vicariously through his Goddaughter's travels and collects Elvis memorabilia. He has been talking about opening a small Elvis museum in Głubczyce. If you're ever there, stop by and see him. He'll be happy to see you and tell you all about his life.
In 1941 the II World War was raging, as Anatol Benera was born in a tiny little village of Lisięcice.
His parents were very simple people and even if they noticed anything special about their son, they certainly did not have money to support his talents. After the war, they moved to the town of Głubczyce and Tolek began to thrive. The library was his refuge from the mundane life of the small community. He was a voracious reader and soon needed to travel to the nearby city to request new titles. He also started showing musical talents. As a teenager, he taught himself how to play a guitar, which paid off big time when it was time for him to serve in the Polish army (mandatory for 2 years after high school). He was assigned to the army band and enjoyed his military training much more than most privates.
Since high school was as far as Tolek got in school, he didn't have much choice in the work force. He started working for a textile factory in Głubczyce, and that's where he stayed for the next 30 years. But his passions were bigger than the knitting machine he operated. He build a wonderful personal library and a music collection, and as soon as his Goddaughter was born, he devoted himself to passing on his knowledge and talents onto her. Especially after she lost her father at the age of twelve, he became the father figure and teacher to her. From him she learned about the Three Musketeers and 2,000 Leagues Under the Sea. He was the one who introduced her to Elvis, Dolly Parton, and Jimmy Buffet. He loved country music so much that he taught himself enough English to be able to understand the lyrics of American country songs. That knowledge he also passed to his Goddaughter in weekly lessons, on Sunday after church.
Tolek might have been just a blue collar worker by day, but after donning his factory jumpsuit he became the literary critic, musical connoisseur, and a wonderful teacher. His greatest passion though, was photography. He had a keen eye and in the bathtub of his tiny bathroom hundreds of pictures documenting the Communist Poland were developed. He was the family historian, commemorating all the holidays, birthdays, and Sunday afternoon walks. At a time, when not many kids had a single picture of themselves, Tolek's niece and nephew had more than enough. And one of them won Tolek a very special award.
When his Goddaughter was only two years old, he took a picture of her standing next to a tree sapling. He titled the picture "We're growing up together" and entered it in a photography competition. He won on the regional level, then on the district level, and finally on the national level. The prize: a week in Moscow. He was so proud and excited and came back from Moscow with even more wonderful photos. Years later his Goddaughter found out that photography was to her also a wonderful way to express her thoughts and deal with daily reality.
Tolek's love of Elvis was so great that he was willing to spend his last penny on Elvis' records or pictures. In the late 70's, when buying American products was possible only on a so called "black market" in a large city, Tolek's wife sent him to such a market with her two-month earnings, to get two pairs of jeans. Unfortunately, the first booth in the market square was selling records. Tolek came back home with two original Elvis vinyls and was consequently not spoken to for 2 months. He didn't care. To him the records were worth more than anything else he possessed, and he certainly didn't mind wearing old jeans.
Tolek and his wife waited twenty-two years for a baby, and when she was finally born, Tolek hoped she would be everything he could not be. He had great plans to teach her everything he knew and show her all he loved to do. He couldn't wait to read with her, listen to music, and teach her about the world. Things turned out differently than he planned. His daughter grew up under strict supervision of his wife, who was less educated and much more superstitious than Tolek. He was ridiculed for his notions, that a child needs more than pretty clothes and proper friends. The disappointment grew, as the child was getting older and absolutely not interested in following her father's lead. Tolek turned back to his hobbies and resolved to be simply a by-stander in his daughter's upbringing. It had a destructive effect on his marriage and led to an emotional separation between him and his wife.
Tolek is going to be 70-years old next year. he still lives in Głubczyce, listens to music, writes for the local newspaper, and records any cowboy movie shown on Polish TV. He "travels" vicariously through his Goddaughter's travels and collects Elvis memorabilia. He has been talking about opening a small Elvis museum in Głubczyce. If you're ever there, stop by and see him. He'll be happy to see you and tell you all about his life.
