#674
I had the privilege of attending "An Evening with Lech Walesa" on September 6, 2025, at the Oakland Marriott City Center’s West Hall, (California) and I’m excited to share this unforgettable experience. The 90-minute event, part of a 28-city U.S.-Canada tour celebrating the 45th anniversary of Poland’s Solidarity movement, was a powerful moment.
As someone who believes capitalism, despite its flaws, is the only viable path forward (unlike socialism, which looks ideal but fails in practice), hearing Lech Walesa, the 1983 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Polish President, speak was a memory etched for life. I have been following him since my teens (he, along with Pope John Paul, another Pole, were instrumental in systematic dismantling of communism with energy supplied by Reagan, Thatcher to the cause).
The event, starting promptly at 6 PM, drew a vibrant crowd of about 2,000 attendees—a diverse mix of Polish, Portuguese, Germans settled in the U.S., and local Americans. I was the only Indian there, which made my interactions with the audience even more special. My son spotted the tour announcement during our July visit to the Bay Area and quickly arranged tickets and my daughter, travel from Foster City—a 32-mile Uber ride that took about 40 minutes. The $99 ticket was worth every penny for this historic occasion.
Walesa, speaking through a live English interpreter, shared profound insights on global challenges and his role in dismantling communism alongside figures like Pope John Paul II. Here are the key takeaways:
- New World Order: Walesa stressed that old solutions won’t solve today’s global (10 key issues), continental (30 issues), and national problems. He urged people to take ownership through gatherings like this, with America as the leader to drive change. No other nation, he said, comes close.
- Capitalism vs. Socialism: Addressing younger generations’ fascination with socialism, he firmly stated it looks good on paper but doesn’t work. Capitalism, though imperfect, is the practical path, needing course corrections through collective action.
- Europe’s Identity Crisis: He noted the rise of nationalist populism in Europe, suggesting it’s acceptable if people endorse it, but Europe must reinvent itself to stay relevant.
- Poland’s Strategic Role: Walesa credited Poland’s post-1991 reforms, supported by leaders like Bill Clinton (whom he recommended for a Nobel Prize), for sparing Poland from Russia’s aggression, unlike Ukraine today. Geographically stuck between Russia and Germany—two nations Poland has complex relations with—Poland must stay vigilant.
- Luck and Opportunity: In a charming anecdote, Walesa shared how, at 20, a train he was on left early during a coffee break in Gdansk. Stranded, he explored the city, became an electrician in its shipyard, and later a vocal union leader—proof that luck plays a role, but you create your own circumstances.
A Q&A session revealed Walesa’s resilience. An American-born Polish attendee shared that his mother, a 1979 immigrant, refused to attend, calling Walesa a traitor who sold out Solidarity. Walesa, unfazed, explained how Russian disinformation and Polish secret police campaigns maligned him. He asked, “Who else could have secured better deals while dismantling such forces?” His response underscored the persistent shadow of propaganda.
I also got my copy of his book signed and a quick photo with him! When I mentioned I’m from India, he warmly shook my hand (he speaks little English, but his presence speaks volumes). Being among the first 10 in a 200-person signing queue meant I was back home early.
This event was a powerful blend of history, wisdom, and inspiration, made richer by connecting with such a diverse audience. Walesa’s call to action—to shape a better future through active engagement—left me energized.
Karthik.
10th Sep 2025
925am PDT.
