Tomasz Oryński
@orynski.eu
Freelance journalist, blogger, podcaster, translator, and... trucker, who left the UK after 17 years due to Brexit. I live in Helsinki now.
I write, among others, for Britske Listy and the Bylines network. I run Lewackie Pitolenie podcast in Polish.
I write, among others, for Britske Listy and the Bylines network. I run Lewackie Pitolenie podcast in Polish.
Pinned
Tomasz Oryński
@orynski.eu
· Dec 8
How a Polish drunk driver helped to make one Russian’s wish true | 8. 12. 2025 | Tomasz Oryński | Britské listy
[picture 1] – a note left by some Russian on my
car’s window
It’s a frosty morning, early days of
December 2022. A Russian person walks the quiet str...
blisty.cz
FUNDRAISER: FINAL UPDATE, A.K.A REPORT:
Here is my promised reportage from my trip to Ukraine.
You can read it (Polish and Czech versions also available) or listen to English language podcast:
blisty.cz/art/130315-h...
Here is my promised reportage from my trip to Ukraine.
You can read it (Polish and Czech versions also available) or listen to English language podcast:
blisty.cz/art/130315-h...
I ended up crossing the green border in the mountains to go there :-)
February 10, 2026 at 7:17 PM
I ended up crossing the green border in the mountains to go there :-)
Nobody cared that I have no passport, nor the ID card
February 10, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Nobody cared that I have no passport, nor the ID card
So I was told I can't be issued a new ID card (or book, as it was back then) as mine is in Ostrava.
I asked if they can send it to me. No, I need to go there in person and sign for it.
I asked if they can send it to me. No, I need to go there in person and sign for it.
February 10, 2026 at 7:16 PM
So I was told I can't be issued a new ID card (or book, as it was back then) as mine is in Ostrava.
I asked if they can send it to me. No, I need to go there in person and sign for it.
I asked if they can send it to me. No, I need to go there in person and sign for it.
When I begun the process of getting a new lropoer passport, they told me I need a new id card.
And then it came a message from Ostrava consulate: a Czech guy found my wallet in his car when he came back home and dropped it off there.
And then it came a message from Ostrava consulate: a Czech guy found my wallet in his car when he came back home and dropped it off there.
February 10, 2026 at 7:15 PM
When I begun the process of getting a new lropoer passport, they told me I need a new id card.
And then it came a message from Ostrava consulate: a Czech guy found my wallet in his car when he came back home and dropped it off there.
And then it came a message from Ostrava consulate: a Czech guy found my wallet in his car when he came back home and dropped it off there.
I once hitchhiked in Europe. I lost my wallet.
Managed to get back to Poland on an emergency temporary passport or whatever.
Managed to get back to Poland on an emergency temporary passport or whatever.
February 10, 2026 at 7:14 PM
I once hitchhiked in Europe. I lost my wallet.
Managed to get back to Poland on an emergency temporary passport or whatever.
Managed to get back to Poland on an emergency temporary passport or whatever.
When it comes to US in Poland I am fully MAGA: Make America Go Away.
What a plonker, is he trying to outdo Israeli and Russian ambassadors in some "diplomatic idiot of the year" contest?
notesfrompoland.com/2026/02/10/u...
What a plonker, is he trying to outdo Israeli and Russian ambassadors in some "diplomatic idiot of the year" contest?
notesfrompoland.com/2026/02/10/u...
US ambassador refuses to say how Polish speaker insulted Trump
notesfrompoland.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:29 PM
When it comes to US in Poland I am fully MAGA: Make America Go Away.
What a plonker, is he trying to outdo Israeli and Russian ambassadors in some "diplomatic idiot of the year" contest?
notesfrompoland.com/2026/02/10/u...
What a plonker, is he trying to outdo Israeli and Russian ambassadors in some "diplomatic idiot of the year" contest?
notesfrompoland.com/2026/02/10/u...
Ah, and by the way: this guy CAME TO ME to ask questions. Then he got an answer, from me and other user, which was apparently going against his existing preconceptions, so he got angry:
February 9, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Ah, and by the way: this guy CAME TO ME to ask questions. Then he got an answer, from me and other user, which was apparently going against his existing preconceptions, so he got angry:
To finnish it off: Yes, I can help you to understand the issues you came to ask me about.
If you don't like the fact that you misunderstood what was told to you and chose to be an abusive, ignorant moron, I can't help you with that.
If you don't like the fact that you misunderstood what was told to you and chose to be an abusive, ignorant moron, I can't help you with that.
February 9, 2026 at 10:24 AM
To finnish it off: Yes, I can help you to understand the issues you came to ask me about.
If you don't like the fact that you misunderstood what was told to you and chose to be an abusive, ignorant moron, I can't help you with that.
If you don't like the fact that you misunderstood what was told to you and chose to be an abusive, ignorant moron, I can't help you with that.
...in any other way but in a content of Russia. Which is of course Russia's point, as when people in the west are like that, they are less likely to oppose Russia meddling with those countries affairs as it simply feels as "the way things are there" to them.
February 9, 2026 at 10:21 AM
...in any other way but in a content of Russia. Which is of course Russia's point, as when people in the west are like that, they are less likely to oppose Russia meddling with those countries affairs as it simply feels as "the way things are there" to them.
...some own issues and agendas, that not everything in the region is shaped by Russia.
This is actually one of the more annoying results or Russian propaganda poisoning the west: they were so successful that many people there are like this guy here: unable to see the the countries of the region...
This is actually one of the more annoying results or Russian propaganda poisoning the west: they were so successful that many people there are like this guy here: unable to see the the countries of the region...
February 9, 2026 at 10:21 AM
...some own issues and agendas, that not everything in the region is shaped by Russia.
This is actually one of the more annoying results or Russian propaganda poisoning the west: they were so successful that many people there are like this guy here: unable to see the the countries of the region...
This is actually one of the more annoying results or Russian propaganda poisoning the west: they were so successful that many people there are like this guy here: unable to see the the countries of the region...
Being factually wrong aside, this guy is one of the examples I had in mind yesterday: he is unable to see Poland or Ukraine as countries with their own agendas. He is unable to comprehend that while Russia is of course a burden to the region, countries like Poland or Ukraine might still have....
February 9, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Being factually wrong aside, this guy is one of the examples I had in mind yesterday: he is unable to see Poland or Ukraine as countries with their own agendas. He is unable to comprehend that while Russia is of course a burden to the region, countries like Poland or Ukraine might still have....
Oh. To be as confident as a western man trying to lecture a Polish guy with a degree in Central and East European Studies on the history and culture of his native country and region, then going abusive when pointed out the obvious mistakes :-)
February 9, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Oh. To be as confident as a western man trying to lecture a Polish guy with a degree in Central and East European Studies on the history and culture of his native country and region, then going abusive when pointed out the obvious mistakes :-)
Yay, apparently I am a progressive voice in British politics.
I can live with that (for now)..
I can live with that (for now)..
I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
Bluesky Map
Interactive map of 3.4 million Bluesky users, visualised by their follower pattern.
bluesky-map.theo.io
February 9, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Yay, apparently I am a progressive voice in British politics.
I can live with that (for now)..
I can live with that (for now)..
And is that "Poland that was part of the USSR" in the room with us now?
February 9, 2026 at 10:03 AM
And is that "Poland that was part of the USSR" in the room with us now?
Dont you just love those westplainers who don't have clue what they are talking about and yet they think they need to explain the history and culture of hour country to you?
🫠🫠🫠
🫠🫠🫠
February 9, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Dont you just love those westplainers who don't have clue what they are talking about and yet they think they need to explain the history and culture of hour country to you?
🫠🫠🫠
🫠🫠🫠
...in either of those countries believes you can take other countries land by force, so there is no need to "vote such people out".
February 9, 2026 at 6:42 AM
...in either of those countries believes you can take other countries land by force, so there is no need to "vote such people out".
No, this is absolutely not what anyone said here. Can you try looking at Poland and Ukraine and for once think of them as countries that have their own agenda and are not influenced by Russia in everything?
There is no mainstream fascism in Poland, nor Ukraine (unlike in Russia). And nobody...
There is no mainstream fascism in Poland, nor Ukraine (unlike in Russia). And nobody...
February 9, 2026 at 6:42 AM
No, this is absolutely not what anyone said here. Can you try looking at Poland and Ukraine and for once think of them as countries that have their own agenda and are not influenced by Russia in everything?
There is no mainstream fascism in Poland, nor Ukraine (unlike in Russia). And nobody...
There is no mainstream fascism in Poland, nor Ukraine (unlike in Russia). And nobody...
You can have shared history of being bullied by Russia and have still unique history, culture and everything.
Just like the fact that both Scotland and India were abused by the English does not mean they are "basically the same", share same culture and should agree on everything because of that.
Just like the fact that both Scotland and India were abused by the English does not mean they are "basically the same", share same culture and should agree on everything because of that.
February 8, 2026 at 4:39 PM
You can have shared history of being bullied by Russia and have still unique history, culture and everything.
Just like the fact that both Scotland and India were abused by the English does not mean they are "basically the same", share same culture and should agree on everything because of that.
Just like the fact that both Scotland and India were abused by the English does not mean they are "basically the same", share same culture and should agree on everything because of that.
countries in Eastern Europe have their own history and relations between themselves. Contrary to what Russia wants you to believe, Russia is not the only point of reference in the region. Nor it is the only factor by which those country have to align relationships between themselves by.
February 8, 2026 at 4:39 PM
countries in Eastern Europe have their own history and relations between themselves. Contrary to what Russia wants you to believe, Russia is not the only point of reference in the region. Nor it is the only factor by which those country have to align relationships between themselves by.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUCEMENT:
a second person asked me today about difficult relations between Poland and Ukraine asking, basically, "how you are not best mates if Russia was bad to you both?"
This is important so please read carefully what I am going to write now:
a second person asked me today about difficult relations between Poland and Ukraine asking, basically, "how you are not best mates if Russia was bad to you both?"
This is important so please read carefully what I am going to write now:
February 8, 2026 at 4:39 PM
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUCEMENT:
a second person asked me today about difficult relations between Poland and Ukraine asking, basically, "how you are not best mates if Russia was bad to you both?"
This is important so please read carefully what I am going to write now:
a second person asked me today about difficult relations between Poland and Ukraine asking, basically, "how you are not best mates if Russia was bad to you both?"
This is important so please read carefully what I am going to write now:
So this is not a sponsored post or nothing, but if you are ever in the north east region of Poland, do get a detour from the express way and pop in to see it. It's one of the best museums I've been recently. And entry is just over 9 euro. Well worth the money!
The town is nice too. :-)
The town is nice too. :-)
February 8, 2026 at 2:23 PM
So this is not a sponsored post or nothing, but if you are ever in the north east region of Poland, do get a detour from the express way and pop in to see it. It's one of the best museums I've been recently. And entry is just over 9 euro. Well worth the money!
The town is nice too. :-)
The town is nice too. :-)
The staff is knowledgeable and you can see some of them are truly passionate. They say those tourists who make it here (it's a bit off the beaten track) are amazed - and I can believe this.
But front part of the castle is now a hotel. So many just drive by without knowing this gem.
But front part of the castle is now a hotel. So many just drive by without knowing this gem.
February 8, 2026 at 2:23 PM
The staff is knowledgeable and you can see some of them are truly passionate. They say those tourists who make it here (it's a bit off the beaten track) are amazed - and I can believe this.
But front part of the castle is now a hotel. So many just drive by without knowing this gem.
But front part of the castle is now a hotel. So many just drive by without knowing this gem.
And in the attic there is an interesting polish painting gallery:
February 8, 2026 at 2:23 PM
And in the attic there is an interesting polish painting gallery:
There is plenty of ancient paintings and sculptures and swords and some pans and pots if that's your thing, but also some interesting exhibitions and plenty to learn (mostly multilingual)
And there is a golden chapel, don't tell trump or he'll introduce democracy to Warmia!
And there is a golden chapel, don't tell trump or he'll introduce democracy to Warmia!
February 8, 2026 at 2:23 PM
There is plenty of ancient paintings and sculptures and swords and some pans and pots if that's your thing, but also some interesting exhibitions and plenty to learn (mostly multilingual)
And there is a golden chapel, don't tell trump or he'll introduce democracy to Warmia!
And there is a golden chapel, don't tell trump or he'll introduce democracy to Warmia!
I am a simple man. I have a day off in a new place, wether is crap? I go to the local museum
I just been to the bishops castle in Lidzbark Warmiński, Poland. Its a fantastic museum, castle is huge and well preserved, including some 600 years or so old murals:
I just been to the bishops castle in Lidzbark Warmiński, Poland. Its a fantastic museum, castle is huge and well preserved, including some 600 years or so old murals:
February 8, 2026 at 2:23 PM
I am a simple man. I have a day off in a new place, wether is crap? I go to the local museum
I just been to the bishops castle in Lidzbark Warmiński, Poland. Its a fantastic museum, castle is huge and well preserved, including some 600 years or so old murals:
I just been to the bishops castle in Lidzbark Warmiński, Poland. Its a fantastic museum, castle is huge and well preserved, including some 600 years or so old murals: