Once more this year, several brave young people mainly from Poland and Ukraine but also from Belarus, Russia, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Australia, Japan, and Austria, undertook a long-distance trek together in the mountains. The complete course from Lesko to Komancza, in Bieszczady, in the far-south east of Poland, covered a distance of at least 160km and took eight days (July 20th till July 27th). Some did not hike the whole route but joined for two-three days. The area is a famous wilderness, with mud, thickets of nettles and prickly bushes as well as mountain meadows and beautiful views. Beside mastering the crossing of mud and bushes we enjoyed jumping on stones and tree climbing. On climbing above the level of the clouds, we could see the sky
From the beginning we declared it as a Peace Road – our contribution to world peace. We experienced the truth of the biblical words “ask and it will be given”.
Polish – Ukrainian relationship have historically been very difficult and stained with blood and tears. Both nations need to forgive and be forgiven. Although the current war in Ukraine and its unspeakable tragedies have brought people closer, deeply stuck thorns provoke pain with every movement. Extending a helping hand, sacrificing for the other, seeing the other as a person rather than a representative of an alien nation, speaking about a shared difficult history became our reality in those days and helped to make this pain less acute. In the evenings we prayed together with gratitude for that day and for world peace.
The last day was filled with tranquility, thankfulness and a feeling of having gone through the valleys of darkness and worries to reach the plane of reconciliation; a feeling that we had created some bridge over the ravine that divides our nations. This bridge needs further care and reinforcement but is stable and I am privileged to have been a part of it.
The organiser, Bogdan Brzyski of UPF Poland, expressed "I am grateful to Denis, Christa, Dima, Christoph, Daniel, Vika, Julien and all others for creating what happened there. It would not have been possible without you. See you next summer on another trail and another journey."