
Contemporary history of Kluki
A main problem were conflicts between settlers and people living there so far. The resettled Polish, who left everything they had in the eastern territories and were forced to abandon their place of living, believed that because of that they were given a privileged position in a new place. They also made claims for natives' properties, they frequently took them over by themselves as they considered the Slovincian to be Germans and put the blame for the war results on them. Inhabitants of Kluki had no political rights and were in worse and worse financial situation. Another problem was no right to manage public and business affairs of the village as in the beginning only a settler could be chosen as the village administrator as well as to take part in religious affairs.
When at last a pastor came in, he run ceremonies only in Polish – that only escalated conflicts and provoked another protests. As it was long before, inhabitants lived mainly by fishing and farming. Unfortunately, for the whole post-war period, fishing industry matters were not brought in order following inhabitants' needs and, in agriculture, further grounds degradation took place in the 50s. What is more, any matters that needed co-operation with the communist local authorities in Gardna Wielka were settled in favour of those who got on with civil servants – their decisions were not in the best interests of natives. It is not surprising then that in that situation local population did not want to stay in Poland and demanded the right to leave.
Tensions were a little relieved by giving to natives the right to manage the village affairs and providing them with some financial support – a new village administrator was Rutha Kotsch. Then, this duty was performed by Ewald Barnow who local community trusted in, despite the fact he was born after the war. Due to difficult life conditions, the authorities attempted to provide new jobs but only with little success. A school established in 1947 became an important integration factor as it made it possible for natives and settlers' children to learn together. The school building already in place before the war underwent a complete overhaul and Feliks Rogaczewski was assigned as its principal. Until 1956, this position was held by Wiktor Wandtke and later, after 1960, by Xawery Skocelas. In 1949, a kindergarten was established. It was managed by Gertruda Kluck.
An attempt to animate cultural life in the village was a complete overhaul of the day room. In 1959, it was reopened as “Slovincian Culture Centre”. Integration difficulties that two social groups hostile to each other faced resulted in marriages only between people from the same community. In the post-war period, natives chose only residents of Kluki or nearby villages as their husbands or wives. Women who had to take care of their children alone (due to warfare) and decided to marry a settler were ostracized by another inhabitants. In the best case – they were treated with suspicion. Also, an attempt to educate Slovincian children in secondary schools in order to have a better start in life failed. In five cases where a scholarship for further education was granted only one pupil made use of it – it was Willy Kotsch, a brother of Rutha.
After the first wave of „post-war” evictions that affected the Slovincian community, until the 60s, the Polish authorities definitely refused Kluki inhabitants' requests for leaving except those of some lonely older people within the family reunion action (single cases). Surprisingly in 1971, all inhabitants who had applied were allowed to leave. The only condition to meet by them was to hand their household over to the state and give up all resulting financial and insurance claims.
Between 1971 and 1976, 122 persons left Kluki. Only a few people that could be considered natives stayed in the village, including Rutha Kotsch's family members (she died in 1971). Rutha's mother died in 1980, her brother – Herman – died tragically in 1987 and her second brother – Willy – went to the Federal Republic of Germany. Eliza Reimann born in Kluki lives in the village with her daughter and son up to this day. With last descendants of the Slovincian Kashubian that left Kluki and went to Germany, the village passed away becoming a permanent symbol of the past Pomeranian culture. On the other hand, a tragic history of the nation came to an end.











