The whole of Poland knew him. The star suddenly disappeared. Here's how he ended up

• Steffen Möller came to Poland in 1993. "In the dorms, there were four people in one room. The doors to the private apartments had four locks. The windows in the ground floor apartments had thick bars," he recalls in an interview with Onet.
• He admits that despite being neighbors, Poles and Germans not only do not like each other, but also do not know each other. - Poles know the Dominican Republic inside out, Germans know Majorca, but we know nothing about our neighbor.
• Möller reveals that Germans still perceive Poles through the prism of stereotypes. — Difficult language, car thieves, Catholics, DIY enthusiasts, beautiful girls, good pianists, long-time popes
• You can find more interesting stories in Przegląd Sportowy Onet

We remind you of one of the most read materials on Onet Sport in 2024. The text was originally published in June.

Dariusz Dobek (Przegląd Sportowy Onet): Polish fans who come to Germany for Euro 2024 might be surprised by something? We are neighbors, so it might seem that we know each other inside out.

Steffen Möller (German actor): Inside out? Inside out, Poles know the Dominican Republic, Germans know Majorca, but we know nothing about our neighbor. OK, Germans like beer, Poles too. There will be no surprises in this area.

But which younger Pole has heard of Willy Brandt kneeling before the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes in 1970? And who knows that there is a gigantic Holocaust monument next to the Brandenburg Gate? Certainly not TVP viewers. Sorry for the pathos, but a bit of bitterness has accumulated.

What might be the biggest shock for Polish fans?

German hospitality. I will give you the most frequently used phrases: "Der Zug ist verspaetet" (the train is delayed), "Das geht nicht!" (it can't be done), "Wir schliessen!" (we are closing).

Does this typical "ordnung" still take place, or is Germany increasingly lenient with the growth of the international community?

I'll put it briefly: they indulge. But I'm intrigued by the word "indulge" that you used, of German origin, by the way! The number of German words in Polish is enormous, from "rajzefiber" through "sunroof" to "curtains" and "tights".

We took "dalli dalli", "Gurke" (cucumber) or "Grenze" (border) from Polish. I tell my compatriots everywhere: go to Krakow, because on the first day you will understand over 2,000 words, go to Helsinki - and you will understand nothing except "coca-cola".

And based on your own observations, could you assess whether Poles and Germans like each other at all? Or maybe certain situations from the past still stand in the way of mutual sympathy?

Two observations that have been made over the course of 30 years. The first: even if World War II had not happened, Poles would not have liked Germans, because nowhere in the world is there an example of a country liking its larger neighbor.

It's the same with Poles who like Czechs, and vice versa, not so much. And another observation: from England to Kazakhstan, we have a certain waterfall in Europe from west to east. That is, no "western" country likes its "eastern" neighbor.

For years, Germans have thought of Poles in very stereotypical ways. Is that still the case? What stereotypes about us still prevail in Germany?

Difficult language, car thieves, Catholics, DIY enthusiasts, beautiful girls, good pianists, long-time popes.

Do you miss Poland?

Not today, because I had a performance in Cottbus [a German city], partly in Polish. So I could talk it out for good. But tomorrow I'll probably miss it again, because there won't be an opportunity to speak Polish. And I don't have a bigger hobby.

Do you still appear in our country?

Yes, I am regularly there because I have an apartment in Warsaw. So I have to water the plants and pick up the notice from the post office.

If you hadn't been removed from the cast of "M jak miłość", would you have stayed in Poland?

100%. How could I leave the people of Grabina? I don't know how this show manages without me.

Why did the creators of the series say goodbye to you?

Can I answer in the style of Kuba Wojewódzki, whom I like from afar? "Why did Hollywood say goodbye to Marlon Brando? Because producers no longer had money for his talent."

Where are you more recognizable: in Poland or Germany?

In Germany I am only recognized at my aunt's birthday party. In Poland I had many nice meetings. A very distinguished gentleman once told me on the train to Szczecin that he liked me, although he had never watched me on TV. But his "old lady" supposedly liked me, so she always gave him a day off when she saw me. And he could let loose in the pub.

Was it thanks to the popularity you gained in Poland that you were able to begin your stage career in your homeland?

That's right! I once read that Anthony Quinn had a similar career to mine. It was only after the success of the film "La Strada" in Italy that he got a new chance in the States. But I have to admit that he used it better than I did so far. In Germany, I am known only in the Polish niche. Fortunately, it is quite large - over three million people have Polish origins.

Have you so far encountered expressions of sympathy from Poles?

Once I was late at Okęcie. The gate was already closed and I was desperate because I was supposed to perform in Rzeszow that evening. However, my boss let me through because of my "nice Polish". It was worth learning!

You have been touring Germany for some time now with your show "Polish Couples Therapy".

On stage I talk about the biggest problems of Polish-German couples and marriages. It turns out that seemingly big problems like history, war, religion, language and so on – are "a piece of cake".

Much more dramatic are small issues like: "I find it strange that my "German" takes a shower in the morning and I take a shower in the evening. Well, now I know why it is like that. We, Polish women, take a shower in the evening for our partner, and Germans in the morning — for our boss!"

What else do you do on a daily basis?

Procrastination. Instead of writing a new comedy show (and I have a great idea!), I kill my time doing other things like toasting bread.

What other plans do you have for the future?

I don't really have plans anymore. But for many years I had the same plan as my favorite literary character, Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye," who dreams of becoming a deaf and dumb gas station attendant somewhere west of New York.

Was it really so that when you found information about a language course in Krakow, you thought it was a city in Russia?

I knew that Krakow was in Poland, but my parents were scratching their heads: "What do you want in Asia, Steffen?" My dad tried to dissuade me from this idea until the last second. He convinced me that I should go to Helsinki instead.

With what ideas did you leave for Poland for the first time? And to what extent did they come true?

I also had stereotypes in my head. So I sewed my wallet into my jacket pocket. I didn't go to the toilets on the train because I was afraid of the filth. But luckily I also got a big dose of contrariness from nature. So if everyone advises me against something, I 100% have to try it.

It was 1993. How different was Poland from Germany then?

In the dorms, there were four people to one room. The doors to the private apartments had four locks. The windows in the ground-floor apartments had thick bars. People crossing themselves as they passed the church. Buses stopped at every stop, without pressing a button. Garish? Yes, to me.

What did you miss compared to life in Germany?

For many years I missed German bread and German liverwurst in Poland. But recently a lot has changed in Poland for the better! At least in these respects.

Have you ever thought about staying in Poland permanently?

Yes, I did. So much so that I started walking around the Evangelical cemetery in Warsaw on Młynarska Street. That's where I wanted to be buried. Today, I think about death much less often than I used to.

When you returned permanently to Germany after many years, was it the same country you left?

It sounds provocative, but he hasn't changed. I know that Poles think that Germany is no longer Germany, and Mercedes is no longer Mercedes. Despite everything, I still see Berlin as the capital of total liberalism.

It was like that when I was a student, 100 years ago. There have always been a lot of Muslims, cyclists, feminists and activists of all stripes. I like this atmosphere of alternative life. Berlin is synonymous with freedom, a worn-out phrase, but true.

Some time ago you admitted that you don't like Berlin. Why?

Because total freedom makes you feel unimportant. Many things lose their meaning, like making money, career, family. I think this city is full of very talented people who unfortunately think they are failures.

What do Germany promise themselves after Euro 2024 in the non-sporting dimension?

More than just in the sporting sense.

Are you going to any matches?

No, but in one of the cabaret clubs in Berlin I will be commentating on the Poland-Austria match as an expert on Polish affairs. I am very happy about it!