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Literature
4-29-21
As we near the end of National Poetry Month, we want to tell you of another form of literature that
Poles excel in - the aphorism. What is an aphorism? It is an observation that contains an element
of truth. The great ones are pithy or wry or funny or wise or any combination of those attributes.
Stanislaw Jerzy Lec is the most famous creator of these compositions. Take a look.
https://best-quotations.com/authquotes.php?auth=1152.
And then there are Polish proverbs.
https://culture.pl/en/article/the-eternal-wisdom-of-polish-proverbs
For the fun of it, memorize a few and work them into your everyday speech.
"Friendship after love is like smoke after fire." Or, "Value your words. Each one may be the last." Or,
"Where there are six cooks, there's nothing to eat."
4-22-21
This week Professor Peter Burzyński, Phd analyzes a classic poem by Czesław Miłosz
"You Who Wronged. "Poland is a country that cherishes poetry and honors it publicly.
After all, the main square in Kraków has a statue of a poet (Adam Mickiewicz) and not a king
or a political leader. Poetry's special place in Polish culture has not often been simple, beautiful
lyrical work laden with pleasant imagery, but one that has chronicled a history of trouble, strife,
and division. It has also been a call to arms, revolution, and change as much as it has addressed
and documented injustice and oppression. Other than these themes of complicated patriotism
there are two moods in general that are frequent in Polish poetry: a kind of sad joyousness or
joyful sadness and paradox. Contradictions and how they exist simultaneously. daringly, and
impossibly define Polish poetry of the 20th and 21st centuries. "You Who Wronged" is a brief
introduction to a series by Dr. Burzyński on Polish literature. If you want to learn more about
Czesław Miłosz check out this video with the poet himself.
Peter Burzyński, PhD
Business Poet
We hope you enjoy this program from the Cultural Committee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41MRxH4i3W8&feature=youtu.be.
4-15-21
Romanticism in Poland
(PDF File)
This week we will be featuring an article by Professor Peter Burzynski.
Peter recently completed a PhD in Creative Writing-Poetry at the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He holds a B.A. from the University
of Wisconsin-Madison, a M.F.A. in Poetry from The New School, and a
M.A. in Polish Literature from Columbia University. He is also a member
of the Polish Heritage Alliance and is a member of the Cultural Committee.
The topic of his essay is Polish Romanticism. What is Romanticism?
It was a movement in the 18th and 19th centuries which was reflected in art,
literature, philosophy, religion, and politics. Romanticism emphasized the
individual, the subjective, the irrational, the personal, the spontaneous, the
emotional, the imaginative, the visionary, and the transcendental.
Enjoy the essay. We welcome your comments.
10-29-20
This week Professor Peter Burzyński, Phd analyzes a classic poem by Czesław Miłosz-
"You Who Wronged." Poland is a country that cherishes poetry and honors it publicly. After all,
the main square in Kraków has a statue of a poet (Adam Mickiewicz) and not a king or a political leader.
Poetry's special place in Polish culture has not often been simple, beautiful lyrical work laden with pleasant
imagery, but one that has chronicled a history of trouble, strife, and division. It has also been a call to arms,
|revolution, and change as much as it has addressed and documented injustice and oppression.
Other than these themes of complicated patriotism there are two moods in general that are frequent in
Polish poetry: a kind of sad joyousness or joyful sadness and paradox. Contradictions and how they exist
simultaneously. daringly, and impossibly define Polish poetry of the 20th and 21st centuries.
"You Who Wronged" is a brief introduction to a series by Dr. Burzyński on Polish literature.
If you want to learn more about Czesław Miłosz check out this video with the poet himself.
Peter Burzyński, PhD
Business Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41MRxH4i3W8&feature=youtu.be.
2-4-21
King Wladyslaw Lokietek
This history lesson could be called The Adventures of Wladek. The story of this important king
would make a terrific movie. His nickname was Elbow-high. Presumably, because he was
vertically challenged. He accomplished a lot. His son was bequeathed a Poland united and
ready for a king to accomplish great things. His son was Kazimierz III.
Best remembered as Casimir the Great.
https://culture.pl/en/article/zero-to-little-hero-the-trials-of-king-elbow-high
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