Leszek Szymanski (Shyman)Writer
Born 1933, Warsaw, Poland; son of Kazimierz Szymanski and Podgorska S.; married Marivic Alguera Shyman; child: Jozef (Jose, born Jan. 6, 1988 Sydney, Australia).
Education: Polish University Abroad (PUNO) - London, England; PhD, history, London University; Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Polish language and literature, California State University, Long Beach (CSULB); Master of Arts (M.A.), political sciences, California State University, Long Beach (CSULB).
Languages: Polish, Russian, English.
Career: Editing, journalism 40 years, Australia, England, USA.
Literary awards: first chief editor of Wspolczesnosc, leader of the literary group of this name, Warsaw, Poland, 1956.
Author: Author of the book: "Casimir Pulaski, a Hero of the American Revolution"
Resident and travel: Poland (Prisoner of U.B., 1954), India, Philippines, Australia, USA, England; Long Beach, CA.
From: "Polish Americans in California, Vol. II," National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.
Leszek Szymanski (Les Shyman)
Journalist, editor, writer, historian -- the author of a monograph in the English language entitled "Casimir Pulaski. A Hero of the American Revolution."He was born in Warsaw in 1933, the son of Kazimierz and Halina nee Podgorska. His father had a position as a high level administrator in the post office, and was an author of technical books, while his mother was a pianist. The Szymanskis spent WWII in Krakow. After the war they returned to Warsaw. Leszek went to the Stefan Batory high school, and in 1951 started studies in the History Department of Warsaw University. In 1954 he was arrested by the Internal Security Bureau allegedly for preparing an escape from the Polish Peoples Republic (PRL). At the time the political "thaw" was beginning and it saved him from being sentenced. After a few months of investigation he was released from arrest. He was fortunate to return to his studies.
In 1956 he was actively involved in the student movement supporting the political "thaw reforms." Working in a community of students who were ambitious and had literary abilities he became the first editor-in-chief of the bi-weekly "Wspolczesnosc" (Contemporary). The periodical became a platform for some of the important writers of the new generation, such as: Andrzej Brycht, Ernst Bryll, Andrzej Chacinski, Jerzy Cajkowski, Andrzej Delinikajtis, Andrzej Dobosz, Stanislaw Grochowiak, Marek Hlasko, Ireniusz Iredynski, Zbigniew Irzyk, Jerzy Lojek, Andrzej Korczak, Marek Nowakowski, Wlodzimierz Odojewski, Marian Osnialowski, Jerzy Siewierski, Zbigniew Slojewski, and many others.
The above mentioned were known as the "Contemporary" literary group. Leszek Szymanski was its leader and received several citations and prizes from the Polish Literary Union, but was not anxious to please the PRL government. When "Wspolczesnosc" became a weekly, then according to the principles of the hierarchy, Jozef Lenart became the editor-in-chief. Lenart was more pliable and later managed to reach the "exalted rank" of United Polish Workers Party (PZPR) Central Committee (KC) alternate member.
In this situation in 1958 Leszek Szymanski decided to use a grant funded by Teodor Parnicki to go to India to do some research for his book about ancient Greek rule in India. The influence of Parnicki on the then young writer was very strong. Being in India and feeling an anxiety connected with the future, Szymanski decided to emigrate to Australia. After conquering the initial difficulties he started to write in the English Language. His first book was published in 1964 with the title "Escape to the Tropics." It received recognition in Australia, even being named "Book of the Week." It was praised for its Polish-Australian stew and the ability of the author to pick-up Australian slang. It was reviewed on the radio.
His second work was a collection of adventure stories "On the Wallaby Track" a title that may be loosely translated as "Following the Kangaroos." The action takes place as the book's protagonist travels through Northern Australia and New Guinea. The author used the so-called "pidgin English" known to readers from Jack London's books. The stories from the book were reprinted in nearly all of Europe but especially in Holland. It was mentioned in the English periodical "Times Literary Supplement." Szymanski's next book in Australia was "Living with the Weird Mob" -- a collection of essays on life among Australians, Englishmen, and Americans.
At this time in Australia there were few books in the English language on the subject if Poland in WWII. There were books on the Czech, French, and even German resistance movements but next to nothing about the Polish Underground State and the Warsaw Uprising. His answer to the need was the photo album "Warsaw Aflame" a chronicle of the events in Warsaw from 1939 to 1945. The text was written almost entirely by Szymanski. The book received excellent reviews but was not a financial success.
From Australia Leszek Szymanski went to England and studied at the Polish University in Exile (PUNO). There he earned a PhD in Philosophy. Later, he settled permanently in the USA. At CSU (California State University) he received another master's degree, this time in Political Science. It is interesting to note that it is certain that Roman Polanski used Szymanski's story "Klozet Babcia" as the basis for his master's thesis project film [Note: we know this film as "Knife in the Water"].
Despite significant journalistic and writing accomplishments, writing could not assure Szymanski decent living conditions. Therefore, of necessity, he had to devote himself to work not connected with history or literature. The books that followed remained as typed manuscripts: "King of Bacchanalia," "Drunken maniana," and "Mission" -- a "spicy" spy novel. For two years he published a Polish periodical in Los Angeles. But his greatest work is surely a monograph in the English language entitled: "Casimir Pulaski. A Hero of the American Revolution" (published in New York in 1979 and 1994).
Leszek Szymanski is married to Vicky Albueza (a Filipino). He has two sons: Jose (born in 1998 in Sydney, Australia) and Jessie (born in 1997 in Long Beach, CA, USA). Due to his family situation he spends a significant part of his time in the Philippines, whose culture and history has become the current driving passion of his creative life. At this time he is working on biographies of Filipino heroes: Jose Rizalia (1861-1896) and Jose Laurela. He is also planning to finish and publish his monograph about Pawel Strzelecki (1797 1873). The name of this Polish explorer, geologist, and geographer was given to the highest mountain in Australia, but as a man he is still totally unknown.
Address: 338 Pacific Ave., Apt 2, Long Beach, CA 90802-2323 USANote: per the 1998 phone listings the only Szymanski in Long Beach CA is Szymanski R., no street address but same zip, phone: (562) 590-9955, No Shyman is listed for Long Beach, also no Albueza. There is a Halina Szymanska at 1221 Linden Ave., Long Beach CA 90813-3324 (different zip) phone (562) 491-0684.
Source: Polacy na przelomie XX i XXI wieku
(Poles on the Edge of the XX and XXI Centuries) by Antoni Lenkiewicz