Belarusian squatters in Warsaw
How to take a shower and cook dinner in an abandoned building, what squatters do in the Polish capital – Belarusian girl Sasha has described it to Euroradio.
Sasha: We are the Elba squat - the oldest squat in Warsaw and we celebrated our seventh anniversary last weekend. A squat is an illegally inhabited settlement. It may be a residence or a cultural and social area, like Elba. Three types of vegan fish made of tofu were cooked for the anniversary this year. There were vegan variants of traditional Belarusian and Polish dishes. It was great. The only thing that saddened us was the fact that it could be the last birthday because the owner of the territory has come the previous week and had promised that we would have to leave the place within a month. But we will struggle.
Euroradio: What was situated in the building before?
Sasha: It used to be a paper-mill. The new owner says that he wants to organize something here. But it will most likely be the same as the old Elba. The squat used to be situated on both sides of the street. However, the second part was demolished by bulldozers and the place has been empty for two years. They demolished it but they lack money to build something new.
Euroradio: But how do you live in this old building?
Sasha: It is very warm. I have hewn wood myself. Plastic windows have remained here because the building is not that old. We use the “do it yourself” principle in everyday life. We have made our own ovens and have furnished the place. I sent a photo to my mother and she did not believe that it was a squat. She thinks that a squat is abandoned place where the wind blows and bottles are scattered.
Euroradio: What is your daily routine like?
Sasha: Our squat is a social and cultural area. I think that Warsaw underground life will lose a lot if Elba disappears. We organize concerts and parties every week, there is a café and a bicycle workshop. Local children and pensioners come here. We have started making a library. All the projects are time-consuming and we are trying to do something for it every day.
Euroradio: Do you help the Belarusian culture develop?
Sasha: We are very closely connected with the Belarusian culture. People in Warsaw joke that Elba is a Belarusian squat. Many Belarusians visit us and we try to organize concerts of Belarusian bands. These are longstanding ties.
Euroradio: How many Belarusians do you have here?
Sasha: In fact, this is an international squat: there are a few Belarusians, Estonians and Frenchmen. Most of them are students or graduates who can work on different projects. There are independent businessmen. For example, the guy who repairs bicycles here has started his own business – he remakes old bicycles and creates exclusive models. Our members organize events for children, teach them to draw, there are teachers, philologists, tattoo artists and many other people here.
Euroradio: What will you do when the squat is demolished?
Sasha: The threat of demolition appeared in this territory two years ago but we overcame it. Bulldozers were about to arrive but they didn’t. The next two weeks are really important for us and it would be great if somebody rendered us legal or medical assistance. I think that this place is very important to Warsaw.
Euroradio: Who pays for your gas, heating and electricity and do you have them?
Sasha: We have them, the electricity is generated, we use gas-cylinders and bring water from the nearest filling station or a spring. The most difficult thing is taking a shower. We usually take a shower at friends’. However, there is a squat with hot water and laundry in Wrocław. Squats differ.
