Premiere of the book “Cechniccy”

We invite you to the premiere of the book “Cechniccy” by Paweł Komosa, edited by Krzysztof Cechnicki. The publication, together with the story of Dr. Zbigniew Cechnicki, will take the reader on a journey through centuries, numerous borders, fronts of several wars and revolutions: from medieval Mazovia to the border and Lithuania, eventually to Volyn, and finally, across the American continent, to the Factory Lake. In the background of the history of the family and the doctor from Jeziorna, a great story is constantly unfolding.

Zbigniew Cechnicki (1927—2009) was a doctor associated for almost 56 years with Jeziorna and later with Konstancin-Jeziorna. He worked, among others, in a pre-factory clinic in Mirków and as a doctor in local schools, he also ran his own practice in Klarysev. He was also a community member involved in various activities for the residents and a city councilor. In 1997 he received the title of “Meritorious for the City of Konstancin-Jeziorny” for his social activities and contribution to preserving the memory of the city's history. His personality, attitude and character meant that thousands of people accompanied him on the last journey, and the inhabitants remember him to this day.

Many people know that Dr. Cechnicki left memories about pre-war Jeziorna and accounts from the Second World War and occupation, covering Jeziorna, Słomczyn, Klarysaw, Kierszek, Bielawa and Łęg. He described, among other things, the pre-war community of Jeziorna, including its Jewish inhabitants, and the events of the occupation. Few people know, however, that for decades he also studied the history of his family, and after his death this search was continued by his son Krzysztof. Their work, combined with historical research and archival research, allowed to create a fascinating story about the Cechnicki family, whose fate has been inextricably linked with the history of Poland for centuries.

During the premiere, Krzysztof Cechnicki and Paweł Komosa will talk about their extraordinary work on the book. Collecting materials and meticulously reconstructing genealogy and family history sometimes required an almost detective investigation. They will look at it from two perspectives: the editor and at the same time the son of Zbigniew Cechnicki, personally involved in the creation of the book, and the historian, who feels indebted to the doctor for everything he has done for the local community.

We invite you!

October 25, 2026, 11:00 a.m.

Konstanciński House of Culture “Hugonówka”, 15 Mostowa Street

Free admission

Professor Norman Davies on the book:

Your family's family tree is a treasure — if you can save it. Rarely, however, does it take the form of such an extensive and well-documented saga (...). Richly illustrated with maps, tables, portraits, engravings and photographs, the reader's story from the beginnings of the family nest in Ciechanki, through Brest nad Bug, Krasilów nad Sluczą and Volyn Zapadyńce, the experience of two world wars and emigration to America. It's a real tour de force.

Tomasz Gackowski, PhD, professor at the University of Warsaw, media scientist, historian and economist, head of the Laboratory of Media Studies at the University of Warsaw

Cechnicki. The Family Saga: Entangled in History” is a monumental and at the same time extremely intimate story about the fate of a family that for more than four hundred years co-created the ethos of the Polish intelligentsia and symbolic elites. Paweł Komosa, with a rare literary talent, draws a fascinating panorama of the history of Central and Eastern Europe through the prism of individual desires, dramas and great successes of the Cechnicki family. From Brest Litewski and the Volyn Zapadins, through the factories of Chicago, the Stalinist terror, to the Lake near Warsaw — this book is a compelling proof that true history is written by people whose greatest strength is solidarity, work, identity. This carefully edited and richly illustrated publication impresses not only with the fluidity of the narrative, but also with the reliability of the workshop. Although the authors — because we should also mention the spiritus movens of this publication by Krzysztof Cechnicki — consciously gave up traditional footnotes in favor of unprecedented ease of reading, the Historical Note and the accurate final bibliography show a reliable scientific and research workshop of the publication. It is an invaluable sociological, economic and cultural study that proves that the memory of the past is the most precious gift we can pass on to future generations. I recommend this reading to all lovers of history, Borderlands and great, real family sagas.