Community at heart

By Navjyoti Dalal

In this new column, Home Is Where The Hearth Is, we shine the spotlight on the immigrant experience. And as a cultural exchange get them to share food recipes they hold dear. This week, we meet Slavek Kazek, who has roots in Poland, but prospered with a flourish in Ireland. Kazek's story is not of assimilation alone, but also adulation, for the meaningful contribution he has made.

It takes a village to raise a child, goes a saying. But it takes someone with a vision to sense the need and create that village. Slavek (Slawomir) Kazek is that man for the Polish community living in the midlands. Poles form the biggest number of expats living in Ireland, a big chunk of that number lives in central counties.

When Slavek moved to Ireland, he felt that the Polish community in this area would benefit from coming together formally. "It makes organising cultural events easier, and nurtures a sense of belonging," says Slavek. He adds, "There was a registered community of Poles in Dublin, but not in the midlands. A formal community opens up many roads, not only to come together and celebrate the culture, but also getting support and visibility from the Polish Embassy in Dublin."

As co-founder and President of the Midlands Polish Community CLG, Slavek is able to provide an umbrella under which Poles can come together and share cultural belonging and connection. Apart from cultural events the MPC CLG also organises fundraising events for charitable causes.

A Deja Vu with Ireland

Slavek grew up in the 80s Poland, one that was growing tired of communist control. Life during the time was a limiting, reductive, experience. Food was rationed by the government, the economy was a closed market, and people had little access to the world outside Poland.

"I grew up in the north of Poland, in Szczecin, which was close to the Baltic Sea. I remember how seafarers would bring news about the world, about the existence of a free world. Most children of that time grew up with a strong urge to see what lies outside. I was part of the school choir, and one of the songs we would sing was about wanting to see the world," recounts Slavek. His brush with Western European countries was as much aspirational as it was eye-opening. He first visited Ireland, as a 17-year-old boy, for an English language training camp in Galway. "I was very impressed with the greenery and the rolling meadows. I fell in love with it. When I returned home, I told my mom that I would go back and live in Ireland," recalls Slavek, who didn't know then that it was the sowing of a dream.

In 2006, he returned to Ireland, this time as a grown man, with a wife and daughter. After a few cultural shocks, Ireland started to feel like home. "I was surprised to see that at restaurants chips were served with everything, from fish, to burger, to even chicken tikka. The weather also took a little adjusting with, but we are very happy here. The way the Irish welcome you with open arms is unmatched. The country is very beautiful and we enjoy travelling as family," says Slavek, who is particularly fond of medieval Irish structures like the Kilkenny Castle, and hiking the wildflower-laced hills in Connemara, and Offaly's Slieve Bloom. Currently employed at An Post Insurance, Slavek has made a career in the financial sector. But it is the communities that hold his heart.

A Community Man

Much of the Polish-origin population in the midlands know Slavek. After spending his initial years in Athlone, SLavek moved to Ballymahon with his wife to raise their three children. That he is a popular and well-respected resident of Ballymahon is evident in the various community roles he is looking after.

Slavek is secretary of the Ballymahon Parish, board member at the Ballymahon Credit Union, Chairperson of the Ballymahon Community Alert Group, and a noted member of the Ballymahon Family Resource Centre, and Ballymahon Town Team.

"I love how the concept of community is still so relevant and prevalent in Ireland. It is beautiful to see human connection at the ground level. Our involvement in the communities is our way of returning the love we have received in Ireland," says Slavek who uses his skill and acumen in strategising for the communities. I wonder though, if being deeply entrenched in the many community and charitable activities how he balances the personal with the social and professional. "I must thank my wife for being so patient. I know it is a tricky rope to walk, but I have started to delegate more," explains Slavek.

Community Screen

When I asked him what he misses most about Poland, Slavek takes a long time to think. It is perhaps a sign that he has taken root here, in the truest sense. Apart from the warmth of the sun and walking along the Baltic Sea shore, and old friends, there is little else he misses about home, for home is here, it is here where Slavek's dreams are based. On his mind now is a community television station for the midlands. He cites the dearth of representation of midlands on Irish TV. "The midlands have a heterogenous mix of local Irish and immigrant population. Imagine the resonance they will find in a television channel that broadcasts their stories, and talks about issues concerning their lives," says Slavek, who's been working to this end since pandemic. He is open to all communities from midlands -- Polish, Irish, immigrant, farming etc -- to join hands.

"During Covid, when the whole world turned into YouTubers, we gathered experts from media to give trainings to the locals. For instance, we have former RTÉ presenter and MEP Ciaran Mullooly, who provides media training to youngsters. We have also bought good quality equipment and lend it to students," says Slavek who is looking for a studio space and also stakeholders for a strategic partnership.

Recipe: Bigos, Polish Hunter’s Stew

A stew made of fresh cabbage, sauerkraut, various meats and mushrooms, the Bigos is a much-loved Polish dish. “But it isn’t an everyday dish, it’s made for special occasions. Perhaps one can make it on easter next month,” Slavek suggests.

Ingredients:

1.5 cups dried mushrooms and equal amount of water for soaking 500gm beef and/or pork 2-3 tbsp of oil 6 strips smoked bacon 1 large onion 225 gm fresh button mushrooms 1 small cabbage thinly sliced 500gm smoked sausage, diced 250 ml chicken/beef/vegetable stock 170gm tomato paste Salt to taste 4-5 bay leaves 1 garlic clove 10 whole peppercorns and allspice berries (each) 1 1 . / 5 2tsp kg sauerkraut ground pepper

Method:

Soak dried mushrooms. After an hour chop and reserve water from the soaking. Cut meat into bitesized pieces, sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a large pot (4–5 quart), heat oil and sear meat. Remove meat from pan, add cubed bacon and render for a few minutes. Add onion and sliced fresh mushrooms. Sauté until golden brown. Now add fresh cabbage, seared meat (from earlier), and dried mushrooms. Add diced sausage and the rest of the ingredients except sauerkraut. Cover and cook on medium-low heat for about 15 minutes. Add sauerkraut, mix, cover and cook for another 1.5 hours.