Lech Walesa’s moustache…

...is a magnificent beast.

Apart from the squiggly writing of its logo, or the monument outside the gates of the Gdansk shipyard, Walesa’s tache must be the greatest and most revered symbol of the Solidarity movement.

Charities have asked him to shave it off in the past to raise money for good works (such as the Polish Society for the Protection of Moustaches) but to no avail.

In 2002, however, the Polish nation was shocked when he briefly shaved off his fury facial appendage, for a ‘bit of fun’, he said.

And oh what fun we had.

But it soon grew back again, much to moustache lovers relief everywhere.

I have been accused on this blog of being an anti-moustache-ist, and, after a period of deep reflection, I must plead guilty as charged.

Being an anti-moustache-ist I joined the huge ranks of those who have persecuted tash wearers throughout history.

In 1800 B.C. Pharaoh Teqikencola outlawed moustaches among the elite Egyptian society. Many think this eventually led to the demise of the Ancient Egyptian empire.

And, of course, Ataturk banned the moustache in Turkey in his drive for secularization early last century. Similar policies are being considered today as Turkey presses for membership of the European Union.

Tony Blair banned moustaches during cabinet meetings.

So apologies to the wearers of moustaches everywhere, including females who refuse to wax – we salute you sisters!

In honour of the humble moustache here is a web site dedicated to returning the fury thing to the centre of style and fashion.

And did you know that there are around 867 Poles who have the surname Wasikowski, meaning one 'from the place of the guy with the moustache'!

Some famous moustaches