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The moving story of two nations

From the perspective of two neighbours: the book has been published by the Polish Laetitia Foundation in two languages.

Book project with Norbert Rethmann illuminates German-Polish relations

The Laetitia Foundation recently presented an extraordinary book in Warsaw. Entitled “Doppelbild Polen-Deutschland 1939-2009” (Double Image Poland & Germany), the book looks at the joint history of the two countries since the outbreak of the Second World War. The work is particularly fascinating as it involves two individuals looking back over this period of time: Professor Andrzej Jacek Blikle and Norbert Rethmann. Both were born in September 1939; one in Warsaw, the other in Lünen.

Following many years of academic work, Professor Blikle then took over the management of a popular, family-run pastry shop in Warsaw which he expanded with other businesses. Norbert Rethmann built up his firm from a small local haulage business to a globally active company group. In detailed interviews, the two successful entrepreneurs from the East and the West describe their personal impressions and experiences from the post-war period to today.

The 120-page book is published in German and Polish and has a large selection of illustrations. Its aim is, above all, to inform the younger generation about the relationship between Poland and Germany – from the time of hostility to reconciliation to cooperation and their joint work in building up the new Europe. The PDF version of the book can be accessed via the Internet by visiting www.fundacja-laetitia.eu