Two German soldiers in full military dress walked into Cesia’s apartment brandishing guns. “The Third Reich wants all radios and guns,” one of them announced. “What?” Cesia said in Polish. The soldier handed her a sheet of paper with some addresses on it. “This is German territory,” he said in broken Polish. “If you do not bring all radios and guns from this household to one of these offices, you will be shot.”
Let the Angels Keep You Safe Audio
Helena Cecylia Illaszewicz in her garden near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Hear the story from the Woman herself In 1998 Matthew Illaszewicz began interviewing his Babcia (grandmother) about her life before and during World War II. She always had an interesting way of telling her own story. She also encouraged her grandson to publish her tale. It was with these taped interviews that Mr. Illaszewicz began to piece the novel together. Coming soon, you will be able to hear Cesia's story in her own words.
You can hear Matthew Illaszewicz's interview about his novel with host Abraham Tagalik on CBC Radio One's Qulliq here.
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