Antokol (Antakalnis) is a district of Vilnius which was founded in the 15th century. Readers who have lived there will probably remember it well and smile through their tears at the memory. After all, this was once their city, their houses, streets, schools, alleys, their... youth. Others, born post-war, may have visited it with delight. Those who have never been there (like me) - read books, look at albums, search for information and photographs on the internet, and the more they look, the more they search... the more a sense of 'belonging' and irreparable loss grows in them.

Let us use our imagination: this is Vilnius. And within it, a district like no other. Green pine hills on one side, the banks of the Neris River on the other, and us... in the middle. How beautiful it is here! The crystalline air - the cleanest in the whole city! After all, seventy per cent of the total area of Antokol consists of forests and parks. There is plenty of air to breathe here. There are also beautiful lakes with beaches; you can only choose which one you want to spread your blanket on. The sparkling water and greenery will make your eyes glisten. It is not surprising that this was (and still is!) a favourite leisure destination for the city's residents. Years ago, this area was also the site of an architectural rivalry between two famous Polish families - the Pacs and the Sapiehs. Since neither family could complain about a lack of money, they competed in beautifying the neighbourhood! - who can make it prettier, who is more refined, who is more original! Manor houses, summer houses, churches (the most magnificent being St Peter and Paul's), monasteries and, of course, the palaces of the magnates were erected on the green hills. Each one mor splendid, better and bigger than the one built by its "competitor". In 1770, there were - just think! - thirty-two! Some fell into ruin (including those of the Sapiehs) - others have survived in not too bad a condition.

It has always been (and still is) a prestigious, elite area, not accessible to everyone, attractive in every way. It was also called the resting place of heroes - 'Quies heroum'. Many a battle route passed through Antokol, and the memories and graves are still there. Speaking of "resting", or rather "relaxing ", it is worth recalling the image of Adam Mickiewicz sitting under a two-hundred-year-old elm tree, looking out over the Neris River. At the beginning of the 19th century, the elm grew in a garden (now at 14 Kościuszko Street) which at the beginning of the nineteenth century was nicknamed China (because of the Plater Palace, which happened to be decorated with Chinese-style wallpaper). So, the poet sat under an elm tree and gazed. He could not take his eyes off the view. His compatriots showed great sensitivity when, in 1929, they took a handful of his native soil from under the tree and transported it to Paris in a special urn, to be placed under the monument to Mickiewicz (so beautifully created by Bourdelle.)

I bring these images to the attention of readers so that our own Antokol, in the leafy London suburb of Chislehurst, may be associated with that of Vilnius in more than just name. For here too there are hills, woods and greenery, and although our River Neris does not flow through its centre, there is a river (yes!) - it is the Quaggy River, and sometimes simply called the Kyd Brook. Mickiewicz, had he been able to see it, would probably have marvelled at our spreading oak (well, maybe not as old as Dewajtis or Bartek, but just as beautiful), under which he would have ruminated, just as he did under his Vilnius elm. He would also have looked with approval at the most authentic Polish vegetable garden ever to be planted on English soil, with beetroot, parsley, potatoes, tomatoes, courgettes, strawberries, his favourite dill and everything else that is worth growing and eating healthily! There are fruit trees too - yes, indeed! - in an ever-expanding orchard.

Our lovely Antokol was established in 1951. Apparently, it was given this name, rather than another, so that the English would find it easy to pronounce. I prefer a more romantic reason - to have something native and homely on English soil! Reclaimed, if only in name. The house was founded by the Polish Citizens' Committee for the Relief of Refugees in Great Britain. It was consecrated by Monsignor Władysław Staniszewski in the presence of the President of the Polish Republic, General August Zaleski, General Władysław Anders and representatives of the Polish Government in Exile. This was the beginning of Antokol's long-standing activities. It was born out of concern for elderly people who needed care, warmth and attention to their physical, health and spiritual needs. Taking care of the old and disabled, of those who can no longer take care of themselves, is an idea as pure as tears. It is noble in every way.

That is why those who work in this Home deserve the greatest respect and recognition. I have watched them for years. I see how - thanks to them - this Home has become more beautiful. How it has changed. Both externally (great work on the house itself and in the gardens) and internally. Because this house "inside" is simply... young! Is that possible? Can such a place be full of life? Can it be joyful and even cheerful instead of silent? Is it possible to hear not only music from an old record player, but "real" music played on instruments? Can the doors in such a place always be open, because it is not only relatives and friends who come to visit, but also those who have grown fond of this house and are drawn to it like bees to a hive? The artists who come here (and there are many) don’t need to be asked twice. They really want to perform in Antokol. By doing so, they make many people happy, including themselves. And there is much to be happy about. What could be more beautiful than the smile on the face of a centenarian! Or a "young man" in his nineties who still wants to dance to Piazzolla's tango played on the violin! And it doesn't matter if he only takes a few steps, and the young carers do the rest - the joy is the same. Believe me, I have seen it!

I admire the Antokol staff. And I don't accept the words of the malcontents: "Well, it's their job! “No, it's much more than a job! What will the carers not do to make every day more pleasant for the residents of this shared home? And yet it would be so easy for monotony, boredom and "a there’s nothing to do syndrome " to set in. We know what it is like in our own homes! How often we have to motivate ourselves to go out, to meet someone, to go somewhere, to make an effort. Many of us, even if we still feel "so very young", could use a Mr. Motivator (remember that nice gentleman who did gymnastics on TV many years ago!?). Antokol has one! They are his employees. All of them, without exception.

I have seen many of them here. Carers disguised as snowmen, dwarfs, Sleeping Beauties, a nun in a colourful clown costume, shepherds, the Three Kings, the Holy Family – the things they do, the ideas they have! Hey presto - and here they conjure up real theatre (with sets and costumes!), St Nicholas' Day, St Andrew's Day, New Year's Eve parties, musical evenings, nativity plays, games for the staff's children in the summer garden, National Patriotic Anniversaries. Speaking of children, they are also "useful” here. They get involved and often perform! And they do it willingly. The husbands of the staff also roll up their sleeves when needed. After all, a home is a home! Everyone has a role to play. By the way, what a lifelong learning experience and value for these children! Yes, there is always something going on at Antokol. In November we had the Retro Singers (Mariola Świetlicka, Kris Louis Siemiński, Agnieszka Wasilewska-Korczakowska, Marek Korczakowski and Zofia Czernicka, a Polish TV presenter and journalist who introduced the group). Songs from the 1920s (so much to the delight of the Residents and staff), performed lightly, elegantly, with theatrical flair and with a clear - due to the venue - emotion on the part of the performers. Probably nowhere else have they had such an appreciative – absorbing every word - audience. We sang along too. We - that is, the families, the guests, the staff. About Mrs Andzia, "who plays the mandolin beautifully", about Martha "worth a sin", about golden chrysanthemums, and finally, together with the singing Kris - "we dated her at nine o'clock". These hits never get old! There is also national and patriotic singing, as our Polish traditions, customs and anniversaries are always celebrated in Antokol. It is a Polish house, with a Polish soul, but also open to those who want to enjoy our culture.

In December we had a Christmas party with the 'real' Frank Sinatra. It was just the thing! Frank Sinatra (Neil Tully) is an Englishman with no family ties to Poland. He just likes to come here. Once again, he enchanted the Residents with his voice and charming manner. We sang along with him, and our feet began to dance. There were many guests at this Christmas party. There were families, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren of our seniors. Antokol's dog Max (he too has reached a ripe old age!) wandered among us, obviously enjoying the merry commotion. As the reader can see, cultural and social life flourishes in Antokol. The pianist Wendy Norman often performs here, and some members of the Southeast London Orchestra (Croox Saxes) like to visit. Their summer concerts in the garden are a real treat! Ah, really, sometimes it's hard to keep up! And one would like to.

Whenever I drive up to Antokol, I feel a sense of pride that it's ours. Polish, and beautiful! What a good decision it was to unveil the house from the front, to show it in all its splendour, to cut down the old bushes and conifers that used to hide it. Rows of roses, planted in memory of the residents who did not survive the Covid pandemic, bloom here in the summer. A small obelisk with a plaque commemorating them has been erected just outside the front door, which always moves me. Those who have died have also been remembered in a special ceremony in the garden, which will long be remembered by grateful families. We will never forget the white marquee, the beautifully laid table (and the delicacies on it), the musicians who played for us, and finally ourselves, remembering one by one - our fathers, mothers, brothers for whom Antokol became a true home and where they found the tenderest care. Their sudden departure, caused by the pandemic, left us all with sad reflections and even a certain trauma. That is why this meeting was all the more necessary! By talking and remembering each in turn, we healed our wounds.
There is so much going on in the Home that it would be appropriate to "report" every month on concerts, meetings, games, singing, baking cakes together, art workshops, therapeutic gymnastics and massages, reading aloud, elegant teas in the library (English porcelain with flowers!), bars (colourful cocktails with romantic names, with a strawberry in the glass)), quizzes and memory games. In fact, it's hard to count them all. So perhaps the easiest thing to do is to ask the editor to publish the photos sent to him. They speak for themselves. As I write this, a nativity play is being performed in Antokol. I am unable to go! What a pity. Maybe I'll catch… the carnival? I will let my readers know.

And one day I will go to Vilnius. To look for Mickiewicz's elm tree and - as he once did – gaze on the Neris.